Favorite Dinky military vehicles

While engaging in the recent discussions about the 151b Transport Wagon, it reminded me of other Dinky military vehicles that I have really enjoyed over the years. As a young boy growing up in S. California, I fondly remember 4 favorite Dinky military vehicles that I played with most of the time: The Field Gun Unit #162, the Mobile Anti-Aircraft Gun #161b, The Army Jeep #153a, and the Reconnaissance Car #152b Terry s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/media/English%20Dinky ' html='] Of these four, two in particular do not seem to get much attention these days, so I thought it would be nice focus on them......the Field Gun Unit and the Mobile Anti-Aircraft Gun. Both of these were introduced pre-war, then released again following the war. I am not going to go over the early history, but instead focus on the models themselves and how wonderful they really were. As a young boy, I fell in love with how both of these worked; the Field Gun Unit had those neat removable tracks, plus you could unhitch the trailer and the gun. The Mobile Anti-Aircraft Gun had that really neat swiveling turret with the gun mounted on it, and besides swiveling, you could raise or lower the barrel by turning that knurled wheel. It also had those neat folding 'ramps' on each side. All in all, lots of play value for young boys! In re-looking at these models, I was impressed with how much tiny detail each had to offer. You really need to look closely to appreciate the many items they included. So I got out my closeup lens and tried to capture some of these elements. So here they are, wonderful military toys from the 'Golden Era' of Dinky Toys! Both of these models date to about 1954 when I received them, so they are playworn with patina...........First is the Field Gun Unit s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...zps6e5fafa8.jpg.html ] s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...zpsdaede07e.jpg.html ] s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...zpseb98021d.jpg.html ] s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...zpsfdb812ed.jpg.html ] s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...zps705a2b74.jpg.html ] interesting detail of the 'bogey' wheels along with the tracks s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...inky%20Military/025- ' html='] next is the Anti-Aircart Gun s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...zpsed850df0.jpg.html ] this shows the folding 'ramps' s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...zpsb290e9ec.jpg.html ] s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...zps2e831e31.jpg.html ] s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...inky%20Military/019- ] and lastly, these are rifles or carbines stacked in that rear storage area...I had never noticed them before....has anyone else? s929.photobucket.com/user/thardgrave/med...inky%20Military/020- ]

Great article,
noticed the guns also for the first time

This is quite interresting.I also noticed it for the first time,
4 caribines in total (might be.303 Lee Enfield).There is also a shovel (spade)
and a pick on the opposite side of the gun just above the one wheel arch.It pays to take a closer view of you vehicles some times.Dirk Bloem 154

Nice to see your USA export version of the AA Gun,
with the typical rounded axle ends.The other ones,
however,
do have the regular crimped axles.[img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / Catalogus_1953_USA_p14_15.jpg [/img] The Field Gun Unit,
Jeep
and Six Wheeled Wagon also got the rounded axle ends
after
1952,
so for USA export only.Regards,
Jan

Hi All,
Those rifles are.303 Lee Enfields for sure.Thank you for this post,
it ' s made me take a good close look at a model I ' d just put in the cabinet a few years ago
and never really examined.Crimped axles,
no hole in seat here.I ' d like to see some good pictures of the various shades on the Recon car,
variations
from
brown to gloss green as far as I can tell,
and,
it ' s a Morris Commercial isn ' t it ? Chris Warr.

Hi Chris,
these are my Recce Cars.Yes they are Morris Commercials.I ' m afraid the difference in shades is not very obvious.[img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / IMG_1565.jpg [/img]
From
left to right: post - war,
early post - war
and pre - war.The pre - war example has a gloss green finish,
the others more satin / matt.No brown one here.I like the one with the original treaded white tyres - not very realistic,
but smart.Jan

I only have 2 Reconnaissance Cars,
and both are export to the U.S.versions.The first one,
that I got in 1951,
has been restored,
so I will only show the second one,
still original.This is also one of my all - time favorite Dinky Toys....I just loved the great amount of detail built into.That
and the neat 6 wheels....a very nice model ! Terry [img] http: / / i929.photobucket.com / albums / ad133 / thardgrave / English % 20Dinky % 20Military / DinkyToysReconnaisancecarrtangle_zps394c246e.jpg [/img] a closeup shot showing some of the nice detail around the doors [img] http: / / i929.photobucket.com / albums / ad133 / thardgrave / Closeup % 20details / DinkyToyReconnaisanceCarmiddleside_zpsf1645147.jpg [/img]

Terry Thank you for starting this thread! I have several Favourite Dinky Military Vehicles, but I will start with one, as for some unknown reason, I have not got around to photographing the other. This 689 Medium Artillery Tractor is well up on the list of, not only my favourite Dinky Military Vehicle, but one of my favourites of all Dinky Toys. It achieves this distinction, not only with it being an excellent reproduction of the original vehicle, but the story it has to tell. I won this item from an eBay auction in October 2001, from a seller living in Auckland, New Zealand. The photograph that accompanied the auction was out of focus, and the description was not very helpful, so I took a punt on it. From memory I think I was about the only bidder so obviously the picture and description deterred everyone else. On receiving the parcel about 10 days later, I was absolutely stunned on seeing the quality of the model and its box, even down to the two little pieces of cardboard used as a sort of packing piece. On extracting the model from the box, I noticed that the military green paintwork had none of the usual sheen these models acquire after prolonged use with little fingers - the model develops a slight shine where it has been held. I immediately grabbed a tissue to allow me to continue carefully examining it, so as not to be the first one to start the shining process! The edges of the box and lid were sharp and clean of any wear. In fact, my purchase had all the appearance of having just received the model brand-new for Christmas in 1956, based on the Inspection stamp inside the lid! I immediately shot off an email to the seller, inquiring how he had come by it, and if he were selling any more of a similar condition. His reply was immediate, and although the email has been lost when a previous computer died, this is what he told me. The Medium Artillery Tractor formed part of the estate of a former Auckland City Council employee that he was selling on behalf of his next-of-kin. For some reason the owner was jilted at the altar many decades ago in the 1950s, and as a result, he never found another lady to share his life. Each Christmas he bought several presents, for a girl and boy, as well as once yearly 'birthday' presents for both genders, and on coming home, he carefully packed these away in a cupboard, as presents representing the children he would have had. According to the seller, the large cupboard was filled to capacity, including numerous Dinky Toys. Unfortunately, the 689 was the last of the Dinky Toys and I am so sad not to have obtained the rest of the Dinky Toys that formed part of this estate. I will never sell this model. It will go to my grandson together with this story, and hopefully he will keep it in the same condition and pass it down if and when he marries. Please forgive me if I have repeated this story in another Thread! The problem with growing old and senile! Kind regards Bruce

Hi Bruce, the same goes for my Thornycroft Mighty Antar Tank Transporter. It is mint/boxed without any shine whatsoever. Unfortunately I do not know the story behind it. In a similar way, however, it must never (or hardly ever) have been touched since leaving the factory. By the way, I always handle my military Dinky's (and many others) with soft gloves, in order to avoid that annoying shine by touching them often with bare fingers. Kind regards, Jan

My favourite Dinky military item is the 661 Scammell Recovery truck. I remember it well from my childhood an the main reason for liking it is the play value. It rescued lots of Bedfords when stuck in the sand or mud!!!! Dave

Yes Dave, this was my favourite towing vehicle, in fact my Recovery Tractor was THE only towing vehicle I had so it had to contend with civilian as well as military breakdowns! I always thought it looked so British with the teapot sitting on top of the radiator! :laugh: Kind regards Bruce

It is certainly a very impressive vehicle. The owner told me that he hardly goes out because the mpg is so low. Bruce, I love the tea pot, so British.