Interesting Combinations

Terry, The raised and recessed lines have been discussed on TMT a long time ago. Recessed lines are difficult to make with the master model and pantograph method. Recessed lines were probably introduced when Meccano switched from the pantograph method to the spark erosion method. Jacques.

Meccano Magazine introductions of January 1950 combined.

Jan--Nicely done, showing the original Meccano Magazine article introducing these three models, followed by a very nice photo.....a most interesting combination for sure! In reading the article, it is interesting that they discuss the new Guy Van in general terms, without mentioning at all the 'Slumberland' livery. It just mentions that there will be several versions, all featuring well-known firms. Regards, Terry

Indeed, the 'Slumberland' served as an example for the whole series to be issued. The shared number 514 for the early ones underlines the general approach. Nevertheless, this livery is considered to be first issue, even slightly earlier than January 1950 as the previous MM issue of December 1949 introduces the trio discussed as 'new, ready during the month' already. I wrote an article about the 'Slumberland' some five years ago. It was in the 'articles' section of the previous website, but I'm not sure if I can find it here. It was published in The Journal, anyway. Kind regards, Jan

Greetings The releases shown in the Meccano Magazine for January 1950 are in fact the releases that were ready for Christmas 1949. The advertisement that appeared in the January 1950 MM are not indicated as 'NEW', whereas the advertisement in the December 1949 MM has them shown as 'NEW'. On the subject of Inspection stamps, I have found two 514 Slumberland in their boxes with the inspection stamp of Nq 11 9 (November 1949) and many (about six in total with the stamp of 'Nq 12 9' ( December 1949) which is perhaps conclusive that the model and the other two were indeed ready for little boys for Christmas 1949. While I have everyone's attention, these days, magazines are published early. For example, the December 2015 issue is out in the first week or two of November. Can anyone tell me if the same was applicable back in the 1940s, 1950s etc? In other words, was the December 1949 Meccano Magazine available in early November rather than early December? Bruce (#150) 30 November 2015

Hi Bruce. No, this seems to be a fairly recent phenomenon. I remember the Meccano magazine coming out exactly on the 1st of the month, or later if the 1st happened to fall on a Sunday. It was also sold by dealers and they were under strict instructions to keep it under wraps until the 1st of the month. Dave

Thanks Dave - most appreciated. As for this modern fad, I find it quite ridiculous. Next thing we will pick up the January 2017 magazine in January 2016! The reason I asked the original question, is out here In Australia, we were lucky if the latest issue of Meccano Magazine arrived two MONTHS after the publication date!! Invariably it was a three months wait and we often saw new Dinky Toy releases before th arrival of The Magazine! The same with EAGLE - we were always so far behind everyone else with the adventures of Dan Dare!! Bruce 1 December 2015

Here is another nice pairing or combination.....the two French Berliet Trucks. These mid-1950's trucks certainly had a distinctive design, unlike any other, but they also made very nice models, with the two that Dinky modeled. I think that this was also the first time that Meccano used real dual wheels and tires on any of their trucks......and what an improvement that was! Regards, Terry

The couple pictured as an interesting combination below has a partly common and partly separated history. The French no. 532 Lincoln Premiere and no. 545 Desoto Diplomat were Sint Nicolaas presents of 5 December 1962 (53 years ago this week!) for my brother and me respectively. French Dinkies were our undisputed favourites in those days and we played a lot with them. They went out and in the boxes after play and we were rather careful with them. We also made a lot of plastic construction kits some years later, and my brother gave the Lincoln a new paint layer with the plenty of paint available in our house. This was not a great success and when my brother transferred all his Dinkies to me I put this ugly repaint in a drawer ... until last year when a Dutch Dinky colleague and very good restorer offered me to give the Lincoln back its former glory and the result is seen below. As a reward I gave him one of my calendars and we were both very happy with this 'deal'. Now it is in my displays again, next to the Desoto. I showed it to my brother not long ago and he was pleasantly surprised too with this long time 'deja vue' from our childhood years. Charming little detail are our names written on the boxes, by our father in order to remember which one was for whom! Kind regards, Jan

Lovely story Jan Dave

Jan--What a special story and remembrance with your brother, and all due to beloved Dinky Toys in our youth. Models that have that connection will always be a special part of your life, and it is wonderful to honor that memory in such a way....great use of the 'combination' grouping! Regards, Terry

Hello Terry Great combination! I think Meccano forgot all about us fellow members of the British Commonwealth as we never saw these wonderful dual rear wheel Dinky trucks. In fact we never saw anything from the French factory! Apparently Australia was too insignificant to worry about that small remiss! Never mind - now that I am well into my second, or is it third childhood, I have made up for that unforgiveable omission! Bruce (from the land Meccano forgot!) #150 4 December 2015 PS I think these make a wonderful combination, and that dump truck - Wow!

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