36a and 897 Tracteur Willème semi-remorque fardier [Willème Articulated Log Truck] (1956-1971)

Bruce----Sorry it took me a few days to properly notice your post on the Willeme log truck. You have acquired a very nice example, with bright and shiny paint. I clearly remember buying mine in 1959, and being very impressed and thrilled when it arrived at my house. It remains one of my all-time favorite Dinky models & everyone should have one. I can't really tell if my yellow paint is slightly lighter, but that is possible, as different batches of paint would vary some. Do you already have its brother, the Wlleme semi truck and covered trailer? It is also a wonderful model, and I just acquired a very nice one last year......you would also like it. Best regards, Terry

Hi guys! Since I joined DTCA I've worked my way slowly through the posts on a number of the forums and have arrived here. I've noted your comments and understand your previous frustration at a lack of response from other members. I can only speak for myself but as a very inexperienced (but older) collector who collects well-used but affordable models I find myself somewhat in awe of those of you who have been collecting for many years - lifetimes indeed - and are undoubtedly experts. I'm not sure that any comment I could make would be very informative but I hope that a small contribution to this thread will serve to assure you that those of us who only read and wonder at your knowledge really enjoy what you post. In this instance I will offer a little something regarding the question of the type of wood that Meccano used on these Fardiers. I believe that it is Hazel (Corylus avellana), a very common tree throughout Europe, which when coppiced as it often is, grows long, straight, and attractive sticks. Most of the UK members will have cut a 'Nutstick' when walking through a wood. I'm not certain about this but I doubt that it is anything else. I've already discovered French Dinkys and will eventually get round to posting photos. So far my favourites are the 32d Delahaye Fire truck and the 60c Super G Constellation. One of these days I'll find myself a Willeme and have a good look at the load. Regards John

John---Thanks so much for bravely jumping in here! Please know that all of us who frequent these wonderful pages, welcome any and all Dinky collectors, regardless of their level or years of experience. What is nice here is to share experiences, photos, comments, or just ask questions. To me, at least, it is very sad to have many 'lurkers' who do not post anything. This site is one of very few means we have as Dinky collectors to further our hobby, so actively supporting it is critical to its ongoing success. I would beg you or any others to please join in.....we all had to start somewhere. As you have seen, there is a wealth of knowledge and many resources here, so most questions can be dealt with by many of us. In the meantime, feel free to tell us more about yourself and your collecting interests, and we welcome photographs! And thanks for clarifying that Hazel was likely the type of wood used for those logs.....we learned something new today.Best regards, Terry

Thanks for that Terry. I can't tell you how much I look forward to uploading photos. I went out and spent too much money on a camera that I'm not capable of using properly. Add to that my inability to upload photos from my tablet and that my desktop is in pieces and I'm stymied. As I'm on a fixed income these days I tend towards played-with models that are either just about good enough for display or bad enough to warrant full restoration. I won't witter on about this here as it's the wrong place but 1930 - 1960 is my favourite period and 25 trucks and 29c/290 buses are most represented in my collection with a good smattering of 23 racers. More as and when John

After reading the above posts, I decided I better look at my Log truck to see just how many logs it came with. I bought mine new around 1959, directly from H.Hudson Dobson, and it has remained in my possession ever since, and I know that I have not lost any. As the pictures show, it has 5 logs. I am thinking that maybe the workers just grabbed 5 or 6 and saw how they fit, depending on size, so likely not an exact number used each time. I would think that they already screened the available logs for size, eliminating those too small or too large. My box is numbered 36a, but the end is hand stamped with the new number, assigned in 1959. This has always been one of my favorite models, and was likely one of the first to feature dual real wheels. Terry