979 Racehorse Transport (1961-64)

Looking at the use of aluminium, it seems to give the best results for relatively large, smooth surfaces, well-accessible for the molten metal from various sides and without 'dead-end corners'. The latter goes for any metal, but apparently the more for aluminium. Not just the model's shape, but also the contruction and complexity of the die to accomplish the desired result is of high importance (and of course the heat-resistance: the temperature needed was about 800 degrees F instead of the regular 400 degrees F). The aluminium component parts for the Pullmore Car Transporter and the Horse Box have not been produced by Meccano but by the Birmingham Aluminium Casting Company at Smethwick. By the way, my US Horse Box also has the early base casting, no box for possible dating, however. Kind regards, Jan

Bruce We just got home and it is late, but I can take some photos first thing in the morning and post here. Regards, Terry

Bruce--Here are some photos of my U.S. version of the Horse Box, #980. I bought this new from H. Hudson Dobson around 1959, so even though it was made in June, 1956, it sat for awhile in stock apparently. Regards,Terry

This appears to be the normal 'early' baseplate

This box does not have the usual applied sticker proclaiming H. Hudson Dobson....as it was only imported, the box appears to be made only for the U.S. market, with H. Hudson Dobson printed on the other side.

This shows the date code on the underside of the box lid....June 1956

Hello everybody, Jan & Terry - thanks for your additional information. Yes Jan, your comments about the casting of aluminium are most informative - and since the components of these models were produced by B.A.C.C. who were specialists in this material, you would expect them to have the expertise to know if a die would have a sufficiently long life for the likes of a Dinky model. I forgot to mention that the box inspection stamp on my 980 model is 'N D 1057' so October 1957 - but more importantly that there is a fault with the model and the rear drop-down door will not remain in the closed position. On close inspection the problem is with the body casting - at the top of each side of the door frame there is a small projection over which the lugs of the door/ramp are supposed to rest - but on my model these projections are almost non-existent. It is clear that this is a casting fault as the stumpy remains of these projections still have their original paint covering, and the lugs on the door are perfect, so it seems that the die must have suffered some filling-in, and that the intended cast projections were not properly formed. So now the only thing preventing my horses from escaping is an unsightly cardboard wedge fitted at the top of the door (perhaps this van was sold to Michael Caine who used it experimentally for the Italian Job but rejected it because of the unlatchable back door?) Anyway, whoever did the final inspection must have missed this or not considered it to be a 'fail'. One further thought - Jan's model could be a very early production 580 example (blue box with orange/white label or early striped box) as it has maroon wheel hubs and grey ribbed Supertoy tyres, which I think were changed to red wheel hubs and black block-tread tyres some time in late 1955. Regards to all, Adrian.

Chris, I would apreciate a better picture of what we have called the first or early type base plate for the Newmarket van, the one with the ejector marks. No hurry, thanks. Jacques.

Hi Jacques, Try my best! Hold on until after 1st Jan when I've got a 980 coming that I've been trying to buy for years, it's a strange one. Chris Warr.

Hi all, Finally picked up my 980 today, I've known about this one for years, and finally made it mine today. Everything is in good order including the first type base, but what is going on with those wheels? They are red plastic, and are interference fitted onto none domed straight axles. There is a tiny raised blob on the inside of each hub too.

Chris Warr.

Greetings everybody, and a Happy New Year, Chris - here is the answer to your question about the red plastic hubs: they are from very late production of post-war Tri-ang 'Minic' tinplate models as below: Many of the 1955 to 1957 last batches of Minic models were fitted with these hubs instead of the two-piece tinplate hubs which were first used in 1936 on pre-war Minic models and to about 1952, or the later post-war cast alloy hubs which were common from around 1950 to about 1955. On the inside of the hub there was usually a small 'pip' from the injection mould, about halfway betwen the axle hole and rim edge: These hubs were commonly moulded in red, although much less frequently in mid-green and also black, as shown on the 4-ton Tipper in this picture. You will also notice that the articulated 'Mechanical Horse and Brewery Trailer' has plastic hubs on the prime mover, but cast alloy hubs on the trailer; it was not unusual for this to happen in Tri-ang Minic-land: As you say, the hubs were press-fitted onto the plain axles, as were the tinplate and cast hubs - a much simpler process than spinning axle-ends over Dinky-style. You should also find that the axle is slightly smaller in diameter than the Dinky Supertoy one, and that therefore your axles have some 'play' in the axle-holes. The question remains: why would anybody go to the trouble of removing the original Dinky axles and hubs? Anyway, I hope this answers your question! Regards, Adrian.

Hi Adrian, Thank you for the posting! You're absolutely right Minic they are, I only have a couple of Minics and they all have the old style metal hubs so I had no idea that is what is fitted to the 980. I of course have no idea how it came to be, but it has been like that for many years as the friend I got it from had it from the 70's, and the chap he got it off had had it for years too. I wondered if it was 'liberated' from the factory before the wheels were fitted and then had a spare set fitted at home to make a suitable toy? Was axle and hub fitted carried out after the model was painted up and rivited together? Chris Warr.

In addition to the baseplate differences, there are also variations in the body castings. In earlier models, the underside of the roof is plain (apart from ejector marks), whereas later models have four substantial ribs running across the width - one in the cab, one in the forward compartment, and two in the rear compartment. At the same time, the front mudguards (fenders) got slightly deeper, and the front panel gained some thickness. Kevin.

I suppose that only the maroon ones exist without these ridges. Could one post similar pictures of the models without these ridges ? There is also a casting variation above the rear door.

My three maroon ones are without the ridges. The 581 US version and a 581 BR version with maroon hubs, another one 981 with red hubs, but in 'Dinky Toys' box. So all are pre-1956 anyway. Kind regards, Jan