501 - 505 and 901 - 905 + 941 & 942 Foden types 1 & 2 (1952-1964)

Hi,
I have no host of rare
or pristine Fodens to offer here,
but you may like my photo of a would - be combination of contemporaries,
of which the Bedford Streamlined Articulated Petrol Tanker was never issued.[img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / IMG_5353.jpg [/img] If realized,
it might well have been issued in December 1948,
like the Foden 14 - ton Tanker (
and its relative,
the no.521 Bedford Articulated Lorry
) ! Kind regards,
Jan

Hi Jan,
I can ' t understand why the Streamlined Petrol Tanker was never made,
there could have been so many lovely liveries,
and later on it could have gained a Commer cab ! CW.

Rob
and Chris Glad you both liked the info I provided recently.As you know,
the details I wrote about refer to the UK scene with the exception when I mentioned any differences in Australia.The quality control stamps were of course a factory application,
and the Order Forms were those sent to the factory.In Australia,
all orders were handled by the Australian Distributor E G Page & Co,
Danks Building,
324 Pitt Street,
Sydney.I have not obtained examples of any Australian order forms.There were no restrictions placed on the Meccano Magazine in Australia as far as I am aware with these being available through normal newsagencies.In my home town of Armidale in New South Wales,
Dinky Toys
and limited Hornby Dublo items were sold in Pidgeons Newsagency
and this store also handled magazines (including Meccano Magazine),
newspapers,
stationery etc.Another similar newsagency in Armidale called Brown ' s was
where
my father had a standing order for Meccano Magazine,
EAGLE (that was for me !),
John Bull / Everybody ' s
and the English Women ' s Weekly,
naturally for my Mother ! Brown ' s did not stock any products
from
Binns Road.Bruce

Jan - I too am surprised why Meccano never followed through with the streamlined tanker,
having
already devoted considerable time in the Drawing Office.One would have thought a decision could have been reached relying on a rough sketch proposal.The only thought I have as to why it did not
go
into production is the time - frame.The 521 was released in March 1948
and then in September,
along came the Foden Tanker.Perhaps Meccano considered the 521 tanker would impact on sales for the 504 Foden Tanker,
or producing the 521 entirely in diecast was more expensive than a tinplate tank.A 521 tank would have required considerable tooling compared to the 504 tank,
so perhaps cost played a very important role.Bruce

Hi Bruce,
(sorry to get off - topic a little bit) I fully agree,
that is exactly what I wrote in my article (16 years ago already !): A Dinky that never was: Jan Werner tells the story of the never - to - appear Dinky Bedford Articulated Streamlined Petrol Tanker of 1948.In: Model Collector 12 :4 (April 1998) pp.19 -28.[img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / IMG_5429.jpg [/img] Another nice presentation of my tankers,
sitting on their original design drawings.Kind regards,
Jan

Jan - what a wonderful
set
of tankers.Thanks too for reminding me about your original story in Model Collector.I must see if I can find the magazine now ! I was using my DINKY NEWS as a reference point but perhaps along the way,
I was also delving into what I had read 12 years ago ! Yes,
we have diverted
from
the original thread,
but we did bring in the Foden tankers,
so all is well ! Bruce

Just a parade of one Foden.It is among the favourites of my collection.Rob [img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / 503_Foden_Flat_Truck_with_Tailboard_orange_yellow_Forum.jpg [/img]

Hi Rob,
What a lovely colour combination that is,
and one I ' ve never seen for real even in poor condition.Keep the Foden pictures coming,
it gives me something to aim for ! Chris Warr.

This time my real mystery Foden.503 1st type Tailboard in French blue with red body,
red flash
and red hubs.The red hubs make it almost impossible to fake.Found in a job lot in a local UK general sale auction.The price I paid was very low.The box has no date stamp,
but shows the correct paint traces.The model is not in the best condition,
but looks untampered with.One thing I know for sure: it is not listed.I have never seen one before
or
after
this example.It is the only Foden in my collection which remains a questionmark to me.What do you think ? Kind regards,
Rob [img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / 503_Tailboard_blue_red_Forum.jpg [/img]

Rob,
every time I think you have shown us something really special you come up with something better.This one is amazing.Dave

Thanks Dave.It is a pleasure to be a member of this Forum
and be able to obtain
and share information on our hobby.Rob

For the time being this will be my last post in this thread.I will try to make an article on the Fodens in my collection.With pictures of all models,
including the ones I have posted already.For now last but not least the 905 Chain Lorry in blue
and grey.It has a rivetted back
and the box is dated 1957.Traces of blue paint in the box suggests model
and box have been together
from
production.1957 ties in with the final production of the 903 Tailboard in blue en fawn.In my opinion some of the cab / chassis of this model were used to produce this rare variation.I bought my example almost three years before the model appeared in catalogues.Rob [img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / 905_Foden_Flat_Truck_with_Chains_blue_grey_Forum.jpg [/img]