153a and 672 Jeep (1946-55)

Just an observation: when taking some new and better pictures it struck me on closer look, that the 5th issue example is provided with a much thicker steering wheel than the 2nd issue example (at last, found a detail Keith Harvie did not describe yet! ) Kind regards, Jan

Having had a look at my no. 674 Austin Champ, it strikes me that it seems to share the thicker steering wheel with the later no. 153a. Could this mean that no. 153a adopted the Austin Champ's steering wheel in 1954, the year of its introduction? More evidence for that? Kind regards, Jan

DT 153a Jeep assembly history. I show my 2 versions of the DT 153a Jeep and show images of the assembly of the Willys Jeep MB in WWII. It is my wish to collect all versions of this Jeep. The export version of the 153a Jeep got sales number 672 and got the name U.S. Army Jeep. It was the final issue 1952-55. Because this model is for export only and the last issue, it is rare, but I succeeded to buy it with rounded axle ends (later one). DT 672-153a U.S. Army Jeep final export issue 1952-55. DT 672-153a U.S. Army Jeep final export issue 1952-55 Left 153a 1st issue with flat bonnet - right 672 last export issue with raised bonnet. Dinky Toys 672 Jeep base final US export issue 1952-55. According to Keith Harvie in his excellent but short lived Binns Road Gazette n 1 (1999) the variations are as follows ; 1) 1946 - First casting with flat bonnet and solid steering wheel. 2) 1947 - As above but with open steering wheel. 3) 1947 48 - raised bonnet center, flush ejector marks. 4) 1948 - as above but with raised ejector marks (the ejectors were too short or worn). 5) 1948 52 - as above but with circular painting ring. 6) 1952 55 - as above but with strengthening under the bonnet, flush ejector marks, crimped or domed, blued or regular axles. For export only. Some other details worth knowing: DT 153a Jeep was the first produced new model of Meccano Liverpool after WWII and appeared for the first time in MM of April 1946. It was first called Jeep and later on U.S. Army Jeep for the export version with sales number 672. It was never called Willys Jeep. Only later on the French 80B Jeep is called Hotchkiss-Willys Jeep. The 153a Jeep was only included in the Meccano price list UK from May 1946 till October 1948 and was never included in an UK or Dutch catalogue. It was included in the USA catalogues from 1947 till 1954. Meccano Magazine april 1946 with 153a Jeep. First new model of Meccano Liverpool after WWII. Meccano illustrated price list UK March 1947 with 153a Jeep. Note the 4 spoked solid steering wheel. Dinky Toys catalogue 1953 USA with 153a U.S. Army Jeep. Note the raised bonnet and the rounded axle ends. Dinky Toys catalogue 1954 USA with 153a-672 U.S.A. Army Jeep. . Note the raised bonnet and the rounded axle ends. The name Jeep originated from the abbreviation GP (General Purpose), after which GP was pronounced as Jeep. It is one of the most remarkable and versatile military vehicles and a real hero in the WWII war scene. Although you cannot find it anywhere in a Meccano Liverpool document, it is assumed that the Jeep model is based on the final 1942 version of the Willys MB ordered by the U.S. Government and manufactured by both Willys Overland Toledo Ohio and the Ford Motor Company Dearborn from 1942 until 1945. During World War II, Willys and Ford built over half a million jeeps for the war effort, totalling 335.531 Willys and 277.896 Fords. The production was standardized and parts are interchangeable. Willys Jeep assembly line in Toledo, Ohio. Remarkably many women are working there. Jeep assembly line at Ford Dearborn 1941 How many Jeeps do you want? Willys Jeep MB (with early slat grille). Army Day Parade Texas USA 1942. Jeeps could be shipped overseas in crates, after which they were assembled in England. Jeeps were therefore stripped of wheels and some other parts and very ingeniously packaged together in a flat crate to take up as little space as possible for shipping overseas. Willys Jeep MB prepared in crates for shipping overseas. Willys Jeep MB in crate on the conveyor belt. Ready for transport overseas. On its way to England over the Atlantic. Instructions for unpacking &amp; assembly of boxed vehicle Willys MB. Willys Jeep MB partially dismantled, but complete in open crate. Willys Jeep assembly line in England. This is a photo of Assembly Depot 0-640, Tidworth, Wilts, England taken on 8 September 1943. This is a facility that took jeeps from their shipping containers or preparation, after the trans-Atlantic journey aboard ship, and turned them into field-ready condition. War Department Manual 22 February 1944 for Willys MB and Ford GPW. Very recognizable are the 2 body handles on both sides of the chassis to lift up the body for assembling. Meccano Liverpool copied these handles very accurately. 2 body handles on both sides of the body to lift up the body for assembling. Note the four spoked steering wheel of the 1st issue (and all later 153a-672 ones) DT Jeep above while the real Willys MB below has a 3 spoked steering wheel. 3 spoked steering wheel of the real Willys MB. Note the chassis plates on dashboard. Willys MB and Ford GPW War Department technical manual 22 February 1944 Right Rear. The production was standardized and parts are interchangeable. Willys MB and Ford GPW Right Side. Willys MB and Ford GPW Right Front. Dashboard chassis plates Willys and Ford. [img]/images/sites/default/files/u254/Anatomy%20of%20the%20Wartime%20Jeep%20Willys%20MB%2C%20Ford%20GPW%20b_0.png /> [b]Anatomy of the Wartime Jeep.[/b] Finally, here is a link to a short video about the mass production of Willys Jeep in WWII: <a href= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0RlWq_dsn0 >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0RlWq_dsn0</a> Jan Oldenhuis, 3 April 2018. [img]/images/sites/default/files/forum-images/DT672-153aU.S.ArmyJeepfinalexportissue1952-55a.jpg[/img]

Upon further investigation, the DT 153a Jeep also appeared in the Meccano catalogue of Argentina of February 1948 which I received as a gift from Jose Heraud. As on my image above from the illustrated Meccano price list UK 1948, it is striking that also in the catalogue of Argentina the tires are pictured white, instead of black. Would Jeeps after all have been issued with white tires at the beginning of the production? or is it a mistake in these 2 !!! drawings? Meccano catalogue Argentina February 1948 with 153a Jeep with white tires. Meccano price list UK March 1947. Jeep with white tires.Meccano catalog Argentina Febr 1948. Jeep with white tires. Jan Oldenhuis, 4 April 2018.

Jan---Very interesting, however I think that some time ago, Jan Werner posted about his very early, post war Reconnaissance Car, which I think also had those finely treaded, white tires. They certainly look a little out of place on a military vehicle, but sure are interesting, and I would also think, somewhat rare today. Best regards, Terry

I presume that especially in the post-war period mid-1945 - mid-1946 many models were fitted with white tyres, both smooth and treaded, possibly pre-war stock of tyres, that the factory had to get rid of. The example Terry refers to below, and another well-known contemporary with smooth white tyres. I have no picture evidence available, but by heart I remember examples of the early post-war Jeep and the AA Gun fitted with white tyres (and of course many civilian vehicles). Perhaps others have pictures available of the no. 153a Jeep with white tyres? Kind regards, Jan

Terry and Jan, thank you very much for your very welcome contribution. It relieves me of a certain uncertainty about the existence of white tires for the early 153a. Now that I have received confirmation from you that this is certainly possible, I dare to confess that last night, when searching for images of a 153a, with a good Dutch acquaintance on Ebay I found and bought an early 153a with white tires. I found this find so special that I made the decision for myself to buy it, also thinking of the fact that my early Lagonda was issued simultaneously with the 153a and also had white tires. I have not received it yet, but I already show you the pictures of Ebay here. I am very happy that this kind of questions can be discussed here. Kind regards, Jan O

Today I received my 153a Jeep 1st issue 1946 (my birth year) with white tires. He is now showing off with my 38c Lagonda 1st edition with white tires in the display cabinet. Together they were also issued by Meccano Liverpool as 1st models after WWII. So they should stand together and a wish of mine is fulfilled. Like the song of Mitch Miller in the 50's: 'Happy Days are Here Again.' Jan Oldenhuis, 7 April 2018.

Great find, Jan, this earliest version! Lovely model with those white tyres. 'Would benefit from some gentle cleaning', as they say Kind regards, Jan W

Jan-Great find! You dont see these come up for sale very often, so great you found a nice one. I have a few very early post war Dinkys with white tires, but no military. As Jan has suggested, those old, soiled white tires clean up very nicely and safely with just a toothbrush and water, and mild scrubbing.....very nice! Best regards, Terry

Jan and Terry. Many thanks for your kind comments and good recommendations. I always leave my purchased items as much as possible in the condition as I have bought them. I personally find that the most authentic way to show how they can look after so many years and that they are just old. Of course I also have mint copies, as if they are new from the factory. I also like that, of course. I find originality of the state of discovery very important. At most I clean them gently with a cloth or with a small soft brush to remove the dirt or dust. Personally, I do not need to wash them and make them new again, because they simply are not. Like me, he is 71 years old and I am not as handsome as when I was 20 (see attached photo with yellow arrow of the very pleasant meeting of Dinky's friends on 5 August 2017 at Jan Werner's home in Monnickendam), but I still enjoy every day. Note: the date and time of the picture is not correct. Maybe Jan Werner can fill in the other names. Kind regards, Jan Oldenhuis, 7 April 2018.

I agree...but you also take a shower every now
and then,
don ' t you,
Jan ? [img] / images / sites / all / libraries / ckeditor / plugins / smiley / images / regular_smile.gif [/img] For reasons of privacy I deliberately did not mention names when I posted this photo last year.But if you like I could send them to you by private email.Kind regards,
Jan W