890 Tracteur Berliet et semi-remorque porte-char Berliet Tank Transporter (1959-70)

I just received a very nice Berliet Tank Transporter in the mail, and after cleaning it up a bit, I looked it over carefully. It was then that I noticed on the front of the tractor or cab, a very small decal with a number on it, mounted on the front bumper, centered on the grill above. I thought that was rather odd, then further inspecting turned up the same number decal on both the rear of the tractor unit and also on the rear of the detachable trailer. This number is '146 217'. I then looked at the limited reference material for this model, and saw no mention of this or any photos either. I also do not remember seeing it in any other recent photos of this model, such as those Jan posted recently. I have taken several closeup photos, below, of each of these, and they clearly show a film around them that matches exactly that of the tri color insignia on the front bumper. What is also interesting is that all three of these decals are different: the one is front has no tricolor in it, while the one on the rear of the tractor has the tricolor on top, and the one on the trailer has the tricolor on the left side. To me, these appear to have been installed by the factory....not someone else at a later date. This model does have the ridged wheels, so it is an earlier issue. Have any of you seen this before? Comments please!! Could these be a reference to a squadron or unit?? Terry

I did not realise there was that much of a differentiaion between Bobigny and Calais, did the management change? Dave

Gentlemen Terry - yet another beautiful model! Remind me to visit you one day, but please check my pockets on leaving!! My model has no registration 'plates' on the prime mover or trailer. I notice a slight difference with the box for your 890 and mine which has a 'Meccano' sticker applied. I can only assume that some previous owner added this for some unknown reason. But why did Meccano France provide such small wheels for the trailer? Only one spare for the trailer but two for the prime mover! Bruce

Bruce Thanks! Regarding those smaller tires and wheels on the trailer.....I think it was common to use more, but smaller tires on those types of trailers. I remember seeing some photos posted of the real prototypes, and they had 2 sizes, but also a small hoist to help lift them off their storage area. But I think Dinky could have used the next size larger, and been more accurate. I just wish they had used dual tires and wheels on more of the tractors/cabs, such as with the Berliet Container truck and also the Dump truck.....they look so much more realistic! Terry

I can not remember seen a real Coder trailer but I am not sure if they have a spare wheel. There are enough wheels to go home with a flat tyre. Any way, I can not imagine changing one on the midle wheels on the road side or even worse on softer ground. The actual Berliet did not have twin wheels at the back but beleive me these tyres are huge and three or four strong guys are necessary to change a wheel.

Indeed the time lag between this very example, made in 1960, and the others referred to does not make it very plausible that they were factory applied in 1960. However, despite of being rather a purist myself, I would not remove the transfers for some reasons: - One never can tell what happened exactly, but they tell something about this example's history. - The authentic model is still present underneath these transfers. - I do not know if a sponge will suffice, but possibly a nasty discoloration or other slight 'removal damage' will mark their contours afterwards (the traces of which in their turn will add to the confusion of this example's history and authenticity in the future). - The transfers themselves are authentic French factory made after all, much more acceptable than those 'custom made' registration plates that can be met on otherwise authentic Dinky Toys. By the way, not being very expert in the field of French Dinky Toys, I discovered only a few days later that the spare wheels were wanting on my example. Fortunately I had some original Dinky hubs, I mixed some paint to the French army green, added some spare tyres and this restored the original looks of the model. Of course not fully original, but as acceptable as can be. (I also have boxes with original Dinky tyres, but they are too hard to risk them to desintegrate at the moment of applying them, and the boxes' contents should remain to be complete and original). Best regards, Jan

Jan--Thanks for your kind comments....with all respect to Jacques, I do intend to leave those tiny decals for the very reasons you mentioned, even though I am now sure they were not original, and also are not technically correct. As you mentioned, they are Dinky produced and were applied carefully, and seem to fit well, and do not detract from the model in my opinion. And I am not too likely to have this on public display somewhere where it might be scrutinized by local Dinky experts!By the way, I did notice your missing spare tires and wheels when you posted your earlier pictures, and thought about commenting on it, but then thought that they might have been left off when you did your initial cleanup. Those you provided look just right, so a good solution!Terry

Here is my Tank regiment : But, one of the trailers has a particularity : On the following photo, the little front wheels are replaced by two kind of nails painted in military green, on the trailer on the right. It is the trailer's prototype. Kind regards Richard

Richard, Belle s

Oui mon commandant ! mais j'ai une excuse : j'

Very nice set Richard. How did the trailer prototype get into your collection, if I may ask? Possibly through your father's employment with Meccano? Kind regards, Jan

Yes, Jan probably. I did not bought these Berliet. They were in my toys box, in my parents home. As some of my items which are paint trys. My brother and I, played with and none are really in a perfect condition. Kind regards Richard