Happy collecting milestones

A very happy collecting milestone, this Liverpool-made no. 997 S.E. 210 Caravelle, to complete the Franco-British counterparts couple. I believe it will be wishful thinking to hope ever finding (and being able to afford) the rare SAS, Swissair and Air Algrie versions in fine condition. This example of the British one is really exceptional in quality, both box and model so near to mint, whereas I only paid less than half the average price habitual for even a slightly less quality model. My patiently waiting for this unique chance to come along has been rewarded at last ... Kind regards, Jan

Jan-- Congratulations are in order on your finding such an outstanding example of this beautiful airplane for your collection! I have also been patiently waiting for a nice example of either one, but so far, it has not happened. Nice that you now have both example, and in pristine condition! Best regards, Terry

Hi all, with the recent acquisition of a 'Terex' I completed the three main variants of this rear dump truck (1955-1970). Before even completing the line-up on the table my wife excitedly started summing up all perceivable differences (so, fortunately, she was quite happy too with this spectacular collecting milestone). Kind regards, Jan

Jan, a very nice addition and a very nice picture box. Indeed, if you put the models next to each other, it's amazing how many differences you discover. And then you'll still have the possibillity to see differences over the head. I have 8 models and Bruce has much more. it's a fun challenge to look up the differences. What is noticeable is that the profile of the tires of your model is mounted relative to front and rear, opposite. But of course you have already noticed that. The ladies of the factory were chatting while assembling. I also have such a reverse tire model. It does not matter. Congratulations with this beautiful model. it's always fun to make a carousel/roundabout as to be seen on the very nice Meccano catalogue Argentina 1948 that I got as a present from Jose Heraud on the Dinky friends meeting in Jan Werner's house 5-8-2017. It was a very nice meeting. Kind regards, Jan Oldenhuis, 8-10-2017

Hi Jan, thanks for your comment. Yes, the treads are relatively reversed, but they do exactly follow the (Euclid) example on the box. In fact the 1930s-1940s herringbone pattern tyres are rarely in concordance with each other too. I wonder how strict the practical assembly policy was in this respect. For this model I will leave the sub-variants collecting to you guys, experts on this rear dump truck By the way, Jan, wonderful catalogue cover, very special indeed!

The other day I reached another happy collecting milestone by completing the post-war, 1950s series (1-6) of 'O' Gauge Dinky Toys Miniature Figures for Model Railways by adding the no. 3 Passengers in wonderful, untouched condition. This set distributed in the USA by H. Hudson Dobson and bearing a stamp with the year 1952 on the bottom. Kind regards, Jan 1. Station Staff (5 pieces) 2. Farmyard Animals (6 pieces) 3. Passengers (6 pieces) 4. Engineering Staff (5 pieces) 5. Train and Hotel Staff (5 pieces) 6. Shepherd Set (6 pieces)

Jan--Congratulations on completing yet another milestone, and a very nice one at that. So often, we tend to focus so much on the cars and trucks that were Dinky models, but it is amazing how large the range was, and what it included, in fact it can boggle the mind to comprehend just how diverse the line was. For some reason, as a young boy, I tended to fixated on the cars, trucks, airplanes and military models, and never paid much attention to the figures. Now of course, most of us really like them, and have added them to our collections. But you now have that whole series, which is wonderful, and the detailing shown is very nice. Best regards, Terry

Two 'official photographs' marking the happy collecting milestone having added a pre-war tanker to the post-war no 25d tankers already present. I am not really aiming at adding more pre-war tankers, but a fine post-war orange example (any type) would be most welcome! (From left to right) pre-war 25d: Castrol (2nd type, 1936-41) post-war 25d: Pool (2nd type 1945-46) Petrol, green (2nd type 1945-46) Petrol, red (3rd type 1946-48) Petrol, green (3rd type 1946-1948) Petrol, green (4th type 1948-1950) Kind regards, Jan

Jan-What a nice bevy of Tankers! The tanker was always one of my favorite pre-war style truck, and you have a nice sampling. Great photo! Best regards, Terry

With the recent happy acquisition of the harder to find Nord 2501 'Noratlas' it took me almost twenty years to complete the French post-war range of aircraft. In order to be really complete one should add the Swissair, SAS and Air Algrie issues of the Caravelle to this company, but my sense of realism prevents me from doing so! Kind regards, Jan

This year I managed to really complete the Studebaker tanker range by adding the dark blue framed Esso tanker! Kind regards, Jan