Atlas U.K. trucks collection 'When will they stop ?'

Hi Al, I agree that the crimped axles look much better, they never were rounded on neither the French nor the British one. Atlas and other replica producers seem to structurally ignore correct details like this, which are of course of minor importance for someone who just likes a good model, but which are annoying to see for those who have the correct model in mind. This also happens for instance with hubs applied (Lyons Guy Van with grooved DST hubs). Kind regards, Jan

The copies of the Guy Lyons and Slumberland vans put out by Dan Toys both used the grooved hubs but, of course, the later Ever Ready, Spratts, et al, used grooved hubs. The Weetabix livery might have even started ridged then changed to grooved, so maybe it isn't completely inconsistent with the originals for the copyists to take a little liberty there.But an auto union without crimped axles? Too much of an innovation to overlook. Bafflingly, the atlas copy of 23a has crimped axles. So it isn't like they can't do it.

The latest arrival in the Atlas Editions Dinky Toys large scale series is the Guy Lyons Van which was also offered by Dan Toys last year. Unlike Dan, Atlas have used ridged rather than grooved hubs and the type 1 cab. In fact, these copies are different casting altogether - which would suggest there is no connection between the two companies even down to the sourcing level. While both are very good replicas, Atlas wins points on this occasion for more scrupulous attention to getting all the details right and including the correct box style.

While I'm still on the subject of Atlas Editions, here's a comparison of their Ford Zephyr with an original. As with most of their offerings, Atlas get a really immaculate finish on this copy. The colours are a very close match to the original two-tone and the casting details are quite faithful. The main difference is that the copy has acquired a thin beading trim around all the windows. Perhaps this is a tactic to reduce flashing or some other moulding consideration. But seeing one or two ragged windows in a casting is such a characteristic of the original toys that it actually detracts from the period authenticity when all these imperfections are eliminated. But still it is a pretty good replica with no visual difference when seen from a few paces back. it's a pity that the box is a let down. To fit a plastic packing piece and a wad of tissue paper, the box is deliberately outsized. The young me was always somehow impressed that every car fitted inside its own box so perfectly. It also doesn't help that Atlas have slapped the French Dinky logo on the ends of the box and used the wrong typeface for the name and number. The illustrations just don't have the same degree of sensitivity and it cannot avoid its uncanny newness. Such details might seem trivial but the lack of authenticity really harshes my mellow for some reason. So now I am displaying the models unboxed - which I find calms the disturbance very well.

Al.....thanks for these reviews, even though many of us do not actively the Atlas versions. It is interesting to see what they have brought out, and how well they have done them. I was curious.....on the Guy Lyons Van, how do the wonderful decals on the sides compare to the original ones? That has to be very hard to get right I would think. I just ordered an interesting combination that I saw on eBay; it is the French Dinky Panhard truck in the Kodak livery, paired with a matching trailer. I have always really liked this classic Kodak truck, and often thought how nice it would have been for Dinky to make and offer some matching trailers. So this is satisfying my desire to kind of have a Dinky that should have been, but never was. Of course it is not a real Dinky, but it is as close as I can get! Another trailer I wish they had made would be the Mobilgas, to match the wonderful Foden Mobilgas Tanker.....can you imagine how impressive that would look? Best regards, Terry

Al----One more comment, echoing your thoughts also.......Jan and I both have mentioned that compared to our Dinky Toys, the Atlas models are just about perfect.....paint execution, casting sharpness, lack of flash, etc. But we also feel that something is somehow lost with the perfection, at least in traditional Dinky terms. The Atlas are so good that they sometimes come off as 'phony' looking, for want of a better term. But I also realize that many are finding these an attractive alternative to Dinky's, especially rare ones such as the Guy Lyons Van, so I do not criticize those collecting them, but I am certainly not embarking on adding many of these as I am very busy with my original Dinky's. But once in awhile, something like that Kodak combo comes along and I can't resist! Best regards,Terry

Hi Terry, Whatever means Dan and Atlas have of applying decals, the placement is very precise - too accurate to have been applied by hand, I think. From a quality perspective, I suppose it could be argued that the copies are better manufactured than the originals. But they do have the benefit of 60 years of evolution in production methods. The Dan van uses pale yellow instead of gold for the lettering fills. The reduced refraction makes the letters more discernable at a distance. Atlas has opted for gold lettering but failed to use the correct typeface - and even setting the address line in Times rather than a sans serif copperplate. Apart from these silly stumbles, the resemblance remains excellent. No, it cannot be as good as an original in the sense that it reproduces all the manufacturing defects of mid-century mass production - which communicates in a tangible way that human hands have been involved in the crafting of the object - the soul of the thing, for want of a better definition. Atlas and Dan are never going to possess that kind of nostalgia value. But I don't think that necessarily makes them charmless and I like seeing them on the shelf (without the boxes). I should say that I don't even collect Atlas in the way I collect Dinky... they just arrive in the mail and accumulate. Most of them are French models which is good in a way, because I have very little French Dinky anyway and probably never would have done. It will be interesting if Atlas ever do start to make more British Dinky copies - particularly of pre-war castings like delivery vans and 24 series which were so atrociously manufactured that hardly any have survived for anyone to collect.

Hi everyone from a springy New Zealand! Firstly, the issue of crimped axle ends - I guess Atlas et al can't offer them due to modern regulations as they are quite sharp on the points. I have been comparing the CIJ (Norev), Atlas and original versions of the 589A Berliet GAK tow truck. The CIJ version is definitely different from the Atlas one as shown in the base casting and the method of painting of the grille etc. For 589A, the CIJ interior is wrong and more like the 589 (red) version with the engine cover moulded in (like the rest of the Berliet GAKs). Meccano changed the moulding when they introduced 589A. In this respect Atlas is accurate although the dashboard top does not extend above the bottom of the windscreen. Ron F

Does anyone know about the Classic Dinky Vans series which appears to be being piloted starting with the Trojan van in blue Oxo livery?

Have not heard any updates on those yet. Best regards, Terry

I've also seen guy flat trucks and foden mobilgas turning up on ebay... so assume the subscription is shipping in a different order in different areas.

With the first UK series I queried the sporadic issue and the fact that the item number (the last two numbers shown on the invoice) did not tally with the order in which models were received and was told that it related to what stock they had when a shipment was due. Still never received a 16 nor a 40 (the latter being I think a Simca Versailles). Trucks seems even more irregular. Incidentally there do seem to be various people swapping bits around and adding decals to make Code3s and maybe the foden mobilgas is one?