50 and 595 Grue mobile Salev Salev Mobile Crane (1957-1960)

This is another new French Dinky model that I recently received, and it appears that nothing yet has been posted concerning it, so here is my contribution. I had never seen a real example of this model, only occasional photos or catalog images, and it was so different from its British cousin cranes that I did not give it a second thought, until recently, when I finally realized it is in my interest time period of collecting. I was able to find a very nice example, and after it arrived, I was again surprised at what a nice model it is. These were first introduced in April, 1957 and only made until late 1960, so they are not available in great numbers. Due to its short life span, there are not too many variations available, and I will touch on those a little later. The model itself is typical of the French products of the late 1950's in that it is very well finished and detailed, and the whole model is somewhat 'elegant' for a simple crane. Nice features are the use of dual wheels and tires on the front (the wheels look exactly like those dual ones used on the Berliet Container truck, but with the smaller tires), and a nicely painted driver. I had read somewhere that the driver has a red necktie, and after taking a close-up photo, I can confirm that is true! He also sports a blue uniform and cap, and his hands and face are flesh colored, with his black hair and boots also nicely shown. Much more detailed than the British drivers on various models. My main complaint has to do with its operation...the winding mechanism that raises and lowers the jib or boom, only has very light 'detents' or stops at various points, compared with the Coles Mobile Crane. This means if you try to lift anything heavy at all, it will simply lower itself to the ground, so I would have to say that the play value of this little crane suffers compared to the Coles. There was only one color scheme used, but later in production, Meccano changed the ridged rear wheels to a concave style and also changed the manner that the jib was fastened to the body, utilizing a visible rivet. About the same time, the number was changed from 50 to 595. Jacques Encyclopedia shows a photo of a real prototype, but I was unable to locate another, so possibly he can post and show that. Another website mentioned that Meccano apparently developed this model with the thought that it would make a nice companion to the Berliet Container Truck, and handy at removing that container with the hook at the top. I took some pictures of the two, and they do pair together nicely. I have also included a photo of it alongside the Coles Mobile Crane, so that a comparison can be made between the two. The Coles does sit a bit higher and the jib is at least an inch longer, but the Salev is certainly a very attractive model. Best regards, Terry

Really a nice model, Terry, and a fine one. I am still looking out for a good example! Kind regards, Jan

Jan---Thank you......when I received this model, after carefully looking it over, it occured to me that it was possibly hardly ever handled. The paint is so smooth and pure....no finger prints for sure, and it doesn't even appear to have been wiped. I do believe it has spent all of its life in the box. The tires are also still somewhat soft and roll like I remember new Dinky's did. I was very careful handling it and used gloves, and decided not to even open the bottom, where the string access is.....I did not want to re-engage that spring loaded latch and possibly create a small chip. I know you have also written about these rare, unmolested models, and what a delight to find one once in awhile. I am delighted with the condition, but it is also just a very nice model, and presents so well.Best regards, Terry

Terry I can fully understand and appreciate the actions you have taken. It is rare indeed to find a model that has all the appearance of having hardly, if ever, been removed from its box. Top marks to you and your model. I bought a Grue Salev many years ago, but the photograph on eBay was very clever, Somehow the seller managed to photograph the model sitting on its box with all the appearance of the flaps being secured. On unwrapping the model, I found to my consternation that all flaps, although present were detached. Everything is as shown on the photograph, so I attempted the same and managed to put all the flaps back, temporarily! Anyhow, I decided to keep the model and its poor box as the model itself is in excellent condition, but is yet to be photographed. All the tyres are pliable with no flat spots and the model glides over my desk without a sound, just rubber to wood. Almost as if the years were extremely kind to the tyres, and the smell - ah, ah!! I found it very easy to open the base using my finger nail, and it does bot close with any sound, although at first I eased the spring by using a wooden popsicle stick. It is interesting though to see that both the English and French factories used the same die for the hook. Enjoy your model and its box for many years to come. Now for some advice with re-affixing all the flaps on my box! Rice paper? Kind regards Bruce (150) 21 February 2016 #786

Bruce--After reading your comment that the French and British used the same die for the hooks on the two cranes (the Coles Mobile Crane & the Grue Salev), I decided to pull both of mine out and compare. Believe it or not, while they are very similar, they are different. The French made one, also used on the Citroen Tow Truck, is slightly smaller in each dimension than the English made one, used on both Coles Cranes as well as the Commer Tow truck. This is large casting that the hook itself hangs from. The actual curved hook is also slightly smaller on the French one. One would have thought that they could have shared production of such a small part!Best regards, Terry

Terry - You are absolutely right! I just never bothered to dig out my Commer/Coles etc and compare them before sprouting my stupidity! Thanks for drawing it to my attention! It is interesting that both have the same characteristics, except one is smaller than the other. One would have thought that both factories would have shared something uniform. Is this difference the same with the French 972? Kind regards, Bruce (150) 21 February 2016 #789

Yes, the hook (block) of the Bobigny assembled 972 is also the smaller French one. Moreover, the bare metal of that hook is always more shiny than the British one, certainly in the course of time, as the French metal used for this and related (axles!) parts seems to be more corrosion-proof as well. Kind regards, Jan

Thanks for the info Jan. Have been waiting for your input! Trust the French to have had better quality too. Kind regards, Bruce (150), 22 February, 2016, #790

457 900 This table shows all the Dinky Toys lifting hooks.

I cannot add much more to the blocks of information above. Just some minor points. The introductory Meccano Magazine (April 1957) article tells that the real vehicle won the Beaut France label. This was a prize for the most beautiful, elegant industrial design, and it was won in 1955. The scale is 1/43 and the colours represent the same beauty-winning colours of the original. The size is discussed, as is the functioning of the retractable base plate for replacing the cords. The back cover plate was repeated several times in the months to come. The special red-grey colour scheme represents the actual colour scheme, which contributed to the winning of the competition. In the catalogues it is shown correctly, but on the box illustration the scheme is red-yellow, which actually is the colour scheme of the wooden prototype. It is hard to find a picture of the real one. Redempt/Touillez (Utilitaires Dinky Toys et Dinky Supertoys) show an (apparently later) all orange one. It seems that more Salev fork lift trucks were made than cranes, of the former of which I did find a picture on the internet, and in the correct colours. By the way, the crane could not swivel, that had to be done by steering the wheels (like a fork lift truck). Better than the English Coventry Climax Fork Lift Truck, the wheels on this model are double, conform reality. The model was introduced together with the Remorque Bache, the very nice covered trailer, with which it shares the lovely deep red colour. Like so many boxes for slightly larger French models this one is too weak. Even with the extra packing piece inside its hard to avoid piercing of the box by one or two handles. Terry my example does keep its arm lifted, despite the weight of the container! I made an extra photo demonstrating the difference in size of the English and French hooks. Terry you gave a comment on the haircut (in the French 885 thread). Indeed, I agree with you that the black hair is hand painted. Our models show that the touches of black do not have the same shape nor size. Well, some pictures below, kind regards, Jan

An artist's impression of the Grue 'Salev' is to be found on page 7 of the French 1960 catalogue.