Preproduction Samples and Mock-ups

janwerner wrote: 'That is really a nice find, Bruce! Although there are plenty of differences, the overall design similarity is striking. The general appearance of the mock-up seems slightly cruder than many others, which allows for some liberty as the original vehicle modelled is concerned, which indeed could be an Austin. Anyway, the scale of approx. 1:60 is the same as for the 30 series Austins and related commercial Dinky Toys vehicles (so not meant to become a large format / large scale Dinky Supertoy). I think it would produce a fascinating and desirable replica of a 'Dinky that never was'. Kind regards, Jan' Hello Jan I sent the pictures of the mock-up to an authority on UK fire engines, and the following is his reply: Hi Bruce, What an interesting discovery. This is a Bedford O 3-ton chassis with fire engineering by Coventry Climax Engines Ltd - a 4-door enclosed type fire engine incorporating their 700gpm or 500gpm pump. Examples were supplied to the Burgh of Largs Fire Brigade, the Royal Burgh of Inverurie (both Scotland), St. Albans Rural District Council FB and the Rover Co. Ltd (Aero Engines) in 1940/41. Hope that helps. Roger I then went in search of photographs of the Bedford, and this is what I have uncovered. Although the rear is different, one has to realise that no two fire engines are exactly the same unless ordered by a particular fire department. The above Bedford is one of those supplied to Royal Burgh of Inverurie, as mentioned in Roger's email. It is pictured here at a show in Llandudno in Wales, having come over from Ireland where it was preserved. It is to be noted that the rear is not identical to the Dinky mock-up, but one has to take into consideration changes that could have been made to the original bodywork over the intervening years. It is to be noted that the windscreen is a two-piece, rather than a single windscreen as shown by some of the above models as well as the mock-up. It then took Oxford Diecast to make a model of similar lines to that planned by Meccano all those years ago! Kind regards Bruce (150)

Nice one Bruce! I think we can safely say that's the one then, a Bedford it is. Oxford did a good job on the research, even the Reg no's are in the correct FYH FLE series. I presume this was a wartime NFS design only, so it may have seemed a bit dated to make as a new Dinky after the war? Chris Warr.

Thanks Bruce, your efforts are much appreciated! The obvious difference is that the mock-up's roof is much lower and flatter than on the prototypes shown. Still, we come very close to the basic prototype. All of them are wonderful vehicles anyway. Kind regards, Jan