25x and 430 Commer Breakdown Lorry (1949-64)

[img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / dte25x_w_RAC_p -20140201.jpg [/img] [img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / IMG_7965.jpg [/img] Looking at the pictures of the prototype I have always wondered why Dinky made the cab windows so narrow,
so low,
so flat.Jan

I agree Jan,
that shallow windscreen slightly spoils this toy for me.On the Bedford,
Dinky went the otherway
and made the windows too deep,
although in a way that makes the toy look more attractive than the real thing !

Here is the the Commer with the jib restored to grey
and the broken winder
and cord replaced.Hook,
spring etc still all original.To recap red
and grey,
windows to cab,
blue cast hubs,
blue decals,
treaded tyres
and black gloss base.[img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / image -20140303.jpg [/img]

Interestingly I note that the later red bodied models have a chassis without the recess for a tipper winder.Presumably this recess on the earlier castings was to allow a tipper version to be produced,
but presumably deleted once the articulated truck version came along ?

Hi Townie,
Yes the winder slot went about the time the Grey / Red version came along,
my only version in this colour has Blue plastic hubs so is later than yours.I would love to know if there are versions out there with late colours,
windows
and winder slots.Chris Warr.

Thanks for this Terry I had thought that there were more similarities,
you,
however,
have dispelled that notion.I think I will buy a Citroen version sometime.Dave

Indeed Terry,
comparing French
and British models you will see that only the concept is shared,
but not even the more general parts.For instance,
even drivers
and tyres,
though seemingly the same,
are different.Even British models ' assembl

Jan ---Nice examples of English vs French details and differences. I have mentioned before the topic of how the 2 different Meccano operations communicated, if at all. It would seem obvious to me that some economies could have been achieved by sharing information or even some detail parts, such as wheels or drivers......or towing hooks!On the other hand, it appears that they operated quite separately, and possibly language was a real barrier. I wonder if there was also a competitive spirit operating there...... and each thought they could 'do it better'???Since all of the major players are long since gone, we will probably never know the real inter workings between the two, but it is fun to imagine and throw out scenarios! Terry

More Commers.The front one has green hubs.It was fully completed
and working when sent last week,
but Royal Mail decided to rearrange the jib.I am hoping to get this straightened out literally
and figuratively.The one behind fairly common but with the white lettering,

Talking of French vs English Dinkies,
there ' s the Alfa Coupe,
the Renault R16,
the Dauphine Minicab,
but on the breakdown front the Bedford TK.Imagine my disappointment when my father returned
from
a business trip to France,
with instructions to get a Berliet Recovery Vehicle (ie military)
and came back with 589 with the back end of 434 instead......[img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / image -20140322 -2.jpg [/img]

Hi all,
Not seen Green hubs on this one before,
another one on the wants list....;
)

Hi Terry.I can assure you that all the head managers of Meccano in France were speaking a very good english ! It was perhaps a commercial problem: to buy
from
UK at that time was more difficult
and expensive: the conversion in GBP
and the bank charges,
the custom rights,
the freight costs,
the delivery time.....! Richard