Pre War Models

Hi Gents, I know it's foolish, and I know they are going to drop to bits one day, but my other main passion is Pre War Dinky. I think this comes from years of longingly looking at the picture of John Hemley's superb Pre War collection in Cecil Gibson's Troy book 'Commercial Vehicles' when I was a kid. I never dreamed I would own any, but I have got 20 odd now, albeit not in good condition, here are a few... Chris Warr.

A couple more........... Chris Warr.

Hi Chris. The Secotine van is superb ! It was my stick when I was in school ! Here are my pre-war items : only 3 trucks in bad conditions ! French Dinky or course ! Richard

Hey Richard, They are WONDERFUL, I love the French 25 Series, but have never seen any other than in pictures. Unfortunately the 28 Seccotine van had lost it's back axle, so I sat it on a spare Post War one I had, looks a lot better that way. Chris Warr.

This is one of my 52a Queen Mary boats I think she has been through too many storms Dave

This shows that the dreaded metal problem is not just associated to pre-war items. On my 551 Large Trailer the rear wheels are fine but the two on the front axle are only being held together by the tyres. This trailer was of course only made post war. It is not a huge problem on post war items but it does sometimes occur. Dave

Hi Dave, it is a worry, I have a couple of 1st series Fodens with the same problem. A Flat Tail lorry where the flatbed is so bent it has actually started to crack, I've released the fixing screw and washer to take the pressure off, but it's not looking good, my only hope is that it's taken 50 odd years to get this bad, so hopefully there's a decade or two left before I have to start looking for a cheap chipped cab chassis with a mint flatbed! And sadest of all a First Series Flat Chain lorry in Green that has actually cracked right across the bed leaving it in two pieces, and with a rear chain post broken off completely as well. Chris Warr.

Thankfully unlike the pre-war items the problems with post-war Dinky Toys is quite small. Dave

Very often the pre-war boxes are considerably better than the contents: This view is very fine, isn't it? And this comes out when removing the cardboard insert. And it's even worse when showing the off-side. This model has three problems: 1. The well-known intergranular corrosion of the zamak parts (hubs, seachlight, crew). 2. The lesser known, rare use of iron for the body, which produces a lot of rust. 3. Extreme flattening of the tyres, another well known deficiency. Still, I love this model because of the way it looks, is has the full period charm (if one can speak of 'charm' in case of these war machines). I love the box and I would not even replace the flat tyres.

You are absolutely right Jan the pre-war boxes are absolutely beautiful. Meccano put so much effort into these boxes, often with much valuable associated information printed on them. Also, the Meccano catalogues and other literature was of an equally high quality. I agree with you in leaving the model just as it is. Dave

it's a beautiful piece, even with the damage, and the box looks mint! One I would love to have in my collection in any condition. Pre War Dinky just has so much charm, that's why I can't resist them. Chris Warr.

I don't have too many pre-war Dinky's, but do have a few nice ones: This is the set of the Mechanical Horse and assorted trailers. Very fortunate that there is no sign at all of fatigue and even the tires are in good condition.