666 Missile Erector Vehicle with Corporal Missile Launcher (195964)

Replacement Gear Sets? Has anyone successfully 'refurbished' the gears on the 666 Erector Vehicle to allow the missile to be wound up to the vertical? I'd like to get mine working again but have no engineering skills to produce replacement plastic or metal gears; has anyone any knowledge, skill or previous experience with this? Many thanks, Andrew (586)

I remember hearing from a Dinky restorer friend in Canada that he had several of these to restore, that all had bad gears. He had even gone to the trouble of trying to find someone to re-cast some new gears, based on good gear he had recovered. Last I heard he was not successful, and I dont know if anyone else has tried making them. Some of the gears were plastic, some were metal; what material are yours made from? Best regards, Terry

The only comment I can make with Andrew's dilemma (above) is why was it not posted in the original '666 MISSILE ERECTOR VEHICLE WITH CORPORAL MISSILE LAUNCHER (1959-63' Topic? This additional Topic is unnecessary so I hope Al will do his magic and transfer it to the original Topic, as it is an interesting subject and one I have not known previously. It is a terrible shame that The Expert on Dinky Military items (DB) is no longer writing for this website as I am sure he would have an answer. Bruce H. (150) 20210104/1218/1407

Thank you both for your comments.To the first I can reply that my gears are black plastic and its the pair that engage with the cast quadrant on the chassis that are the worst. The nearside one has 'mangled' teeth, the offside one is no longer fixed to the shaft so won't turn in any case!To the second I can only apologise - my first post andI thought I had to create a 'new' topic; thanks in advance for any necessary relocation! Andrew

One last quick comment: I checked with another knowledgeable military collector, and he knows of no one re-producing the gears, which is most unfortunate. Terry

Thanks Terry; seems we're at a dead end! Andrew

It may be possible to have new gears made by members of a local Model Engineering Society, or Model Railway Club. Even if there is no-one present able to provide the service, chances are that they will be able to put you in contact with someone who can. Perhaps a clock repairer can help, or even a Technical College?

Thank you for this practical suggestion - I'll see what I can find locally. Andrew

That is a good idea....however, those gears must be precisely made to work, so very precise measurements will need to be made, which might be difficult on a complete model, but certainly worth considering. Let us know if you have some luck! Terry

Thanks Terry - this is an area in which I have no knowledge whatsoever, just see how the gears mesh and operate. What 'tolerances' are allowed etc is an unknown language to me but I imagine bread and butter to an engineer. Andrew