34a Royal Air Mail Service Car (1935-40)

Hello Jan, Sorry, I have no idea, I know nothing about it.All the best.Jacques.

Jacques You were quite correct that the Dinky Toys 162 Ford Zephyr was another Dinky Toys to appear on a stamp although I am relieved when I wrote 'our Dinky Toys 34a is probably the only Dinky Toys that is featured on a postage stamp' with the emphasis on 'probably' and not as an assertion! The Dinky Toys 162 Ford Zephyr is, as you quite rightly stated another one, although it has the achievement of being (unless later corrected!) the only Dinky Toys to appear on a postage stamp, 'as a toy'. The stamp formed part of a series produced by Royal Mail and released on 18 September 2003 depicting toys of British manufacture. (Hope that answers your question Jan!) I am not certain if the date has some special significance in the British Toy Industry, although it could have been issued to mark the end of the toy industry in the UK! By 2003, only the name Hornby continued as a a separate brand and buy-out, being divorced from its creator although production had been completely transferred to China by 1999. Over the years Hornby Hobbies has acquired many previously independent and well-known companies such as Lima, Rivarossi, Airfix, Humbrol and lastly Corgi, although its headquarters was still located in Kent, primarily as a visitors centre. I am not certain as to where executive decisions are made, design staff located, but there was a rumour that production of trains would return to Great Britain but it seems that never eventuated. So, with Jacques' input, two of Meccano's models have appeared on a stamp, one as a representation of the prototype vehicle and the other as a representation in its own right. Kind regards Bruce H. (150) 20170508/1154/0135

Opening of the Royal Air Mail Service (1934) in 4:13 minutes!

Jan, a beautiful movie, but I missed the queen . In the end, I have something to say about the delivery of our packages today..Of course, the remarkable design of this car comes true. When I see him, I immediately think of the speed of the wind. The design will have to do with the speed it has to radiate and, of course, must be streamlined with a wing on the back of the car that reminds an airplane. Because it has to do with 'airmail' that of course was transported by plane. And it has to go fast. A promotion for the Royal Air Mail and I have to say that Royal Air Mail has always been reliable and fast. I salute for this royal post.As international collectors of Dinky Toys we are dealing with the mail, which delivers our packages. And we would like to have that as soon as possible. Royal Air Mail has always been reliable and fast so far. Now, on Ebay, many international sellers in UK and USA are doing the international shipping phenomenon through the so-called Global Shipping Program GLS, in which Ebay, Pitney Bowes and Hermes play a dark role. A disaster for us as international collectors. The organization is as dark as the night, more expensive and the post is longer on the way. And the complaints settlement is shady. The one points to the other. No progress. My experiences with that are very bad.Further about the car: There are many bags in the car on the movie. Probably one large loading area that runs all the way to the back. Not very comfortable to pick up the bags with mail again.Jan Oldenhuis, 8-11-2017

Indeed, the movie is an eye-opener and demonstrates that this vehicle deserves full marks, both for show/publicity and inefficiency. As present day package mail is concerned it is my experience that the more standard and cheap the kind of mail service used, the faster and problem-less the package seems to arrive, be it either from neighbour countries or the rest of the world. Kind regards, Jan

The modern Royal Air Mail Service Car and the traditional Royal Mail Van, an illustration which I included in an article about this model in the Auto in Miniatuur bimonthly, the October 2019 issue.