A gathering of Mighty Antars

Most of you know that I recently completed the quest to add the Mighty Antar with Transformer load to my collection. For me, this marked the completion of having one each of the three basic Mighty Antar versions: the original tank transporter, the Low Loader with Propeller, and the Transformer load. As I mentioned in an earlier post today, I got the Tank Transporter for Christmas in 1956, so have had that one for a very long time, and it also instilled a huge appreciation for this wonderful model that Dinky produced....definitely a classic. About eight or nine years ago, I happened across the Low Loader with Propeller version, and soon added it. I had not thought much about the transformer one until a few years ago, then had considerable trouble finding a nice one. So, to celebrate this occasion, I decided to do a quick photo study of all three, together at last. I apologize for the photos....the three of them are too wide for my current photo setup, so the border partly appears, but I am still dazzled by just how wonderful they are. I think Meccano did a pretty nice job in extending the life of the model, by introducing such different versions. Regards, Terry s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...20Large%20Commercial ] s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...20Large%20Commercial ] s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...20Large%20Commercial ]

Really lovely Terry, Great to see the set together, the Transformer still escapes me. Chris Warr.

Gentleman in the know We have a group of collectors here in South Africa that inspired me to ask this question: The transformer all has 'Made in France' on the bottom imprinted (Rather embossed). My question is this. Were the transformer ever made in Binns road England. We have seen that the Berliet transporter also have the exact same Transformer on. I have also noted that the isolators on the one is linger than on the other, but both transformers have made in France at the bottom. I would really appreciate your assistance in getting to the bottom of this. Regards Dirk Bloem 154

Dirk--I have only heard and read that all the transformers were made in France....even for the English made Mighty Antar Transformer load. I have both the French Berliet and the Mighty Antar and will compare the two. Best regards, Terry

All the transformers were made in France but not by Meccano s.a. which at the time did not have a plastic shop. All the plastic parts were made by a company called Bourgeois situated near the Swiss border until Airfix bougt Meccano in 1971. In the Airfix factory in Calais there were plastic injection machines and this is where the accessories were made : drums, crates etc... Terry, Why do you use photobucket ? they hide your pictures behind a translucent strip. I know that the software for the DTCA web site has the worst way to upload pictures but at least they are visible and can often be enlarged by clicking on them. Question : are the drivers of the three trucks the same casting finished in different colours ? Is there a light and a dark blue driver ? As this is a Dinky, there is a variation. The drawing on the box shows either yellow or red Supertoys hubs. All the best. Jacques

Jacques--Thanks for your nice added comments.....I remembered reading that Meccano did not make those transformers, but could not remember who did. Have you ever seen photos of the real transformers? I tried searching over here, but found nothing. I have not used Photobucket for many years now......those are old posts. I will try going back and deleting and re-posting the images. I have no problems with the site..... Best regards, Terry

Terry, I have just searched the net for a photo of the actual transfo but without success. I will send a photo of the Dinky to the manufacturer in Lyon and ask for a picture of the actual one and the caracteristics. I looked at the April 1961 Actualits Meccano in which the introduction of this transfo was described in only two and a half line but this does not help.

Jacques--Thanks! we've usually been able to find the prototypes of most Dinky's, particularly the later issues. They must have had something to model it from..... Best regards, Terry

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qDbWuw89YdTK2Atb9 Here is the closest thing I could find. Copyright BTBPlaza

Jaques et al I thank you for the quite interresting feedback. That is what I love this forum so much. Very knowledgeable people willing to help. Warm greeting from South Africa. Stay save, stay healthy. Dirk Bloem 154

John, The transfo on the picture is much biger than the Dinky one. It looks like a 90 kv to ?? kv when the dInky is 50 kv to 15 or 20 kv only. This is shown by the hight of the insulators.