New arrivals

Nice Ron, that must certainly have been imported by a Dutch emigrant/immigrant. In the post-war time, until the mid-1960s a lot of Dutch left for Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In my days as a map librarian I received loads of obsolete maps of those countries, when the special Dutch emigration bureau definitely closed down, in the course of the 1980s - I presume. This weekend I happened to come across a real one. I posted the photo in the relevant French 562H thread. Kind regards, Jan

My ex-shop display case has almost no room for more models, but I might as well practice an upload. The new entries are the plain Morris Bullnose and Ford Model T, obviously not successful offerings for Meccano Ltd. (as demonstrated by my recently acquiring these mint/boxed examples for $20 each). Readers will know of the variants Dinky came up with to get more out of the moulds, but might not realise that the baseplate and wheel tooling was also modified to create the woeful U.B. Taxi and Happy Cab!

Hello Jan Referring to your Post #574 above, it is so refreshing to see a wife take such a keen interest in your collection - or was she just being polite! No, I think she was genuine, and how I miss having that sort of reaction when everyone in my family keeps asking me when am I going to start selling! Back to your 986 - what a splendid addition to your collection. Can you tell me the factory inspection stamp please, to add to my growing data base? It is surprising that Meccano did not stretch the model a little further with a different sort of load, as they certainly would have known the different loads the Antars working on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electricity Scheme here in Australia would have been hauling as this project achieved world-wide publicity between 1949 and when it was finally completed in 1974. A different load would certainly have covered the development cost for the unique trailer. I too have been unable to locate a company by the name of Scimitar, which for propellers describes the unusual shape as they are reminiscent of the scimitar sword. Welcome to the world of the 986!! Now, all you need now is a mint example without window glazing!! Kind regards Bruce (150) 20160924/984/0958

Hi Bruce, in the years of a busy and expensive family life my wife wasn't always amused (eufemism), but now, seeing my fundamental approach, the increasing quality of my collection and wonderful displays and last but not least my personal happiness with this wide hobby, she says: 'buy what you like, as far as we can afford', and she knows virtually every model (as did my children when they were still at home) because they are all on visual display in my study/hobbyroom. I showed the inside box with stamp already in the relevant thread, but I will repeat showing it here with all pleasure. Knowing my preferences for non-glazed models my wife was surprised too, but this one was so clean and affordable that I could not let it go. it's not impossible that I sell it if ever I find a window-less example of comparable quality. Kind regards, Jan

Greetings Jan I completely forgot that you posted the above image in the 986 Topic! However, I still think you have a wonderful partner who appreciates so much what you value and enjoy. I wish too that I had a 'man's den' in which I could display my collection and just sit back and admire them. As it is, my models are in a number of plastic lidded crates and I almost get a hernia each time I move them around seeking out a particular model or two! I tend to look at that chore as a 'labour of love'!! Notwithstanding anything, as the old Crusader said to Indiana Jones, 'You chose wisely!' Your 986 is an excellent model and It is very pleasing that it is so clean and affordable and that it has now gone to a home where it will be safe and secure for many years to come! I bought mine in 1999 at our local club's swap meet, and it is still one of my favourites! (Actually on reflection, I have many 100s of 'favourite' models and trying to decide which is actually my favourite is nigh impossible! Although I must admit at the very top of that list are my 90 models I have had since my earliest days, 99% of which were given to me by my very generous parents, even if most show the effects of serious and protracted playing on my small network of tarred roads.) Kind regards Bruce (150) 20160924/989/2007

Two of a kind. At a local Toy Fair, I bought a 25S 6-wheeled lorry. Not in very good condition, but complete except for the front of the canopy. Then two days later, I won a Lot on the local trading site also a green 25S in Almost mint condition except the canopy is a bit knocked around. What amused me was the '20' (mph} signs on the rear - both are put on crooked and in different positions. Both have thick axles, etc. Ron F

But you can't beat this one, Ron. Whoever of the ladies at the belt did apply this one must have been ill or in love! Kind regards, Jan

Good sales at the Houten Fair, yesterday, allowing me to buy a fine, almost mint no. 29c Double Decker Bus in green & cream, without advertising, with roof box, without catalogue number cast underneath, smooth tyres and with rounded axle ends, so a ca. 1952-1954 example. A welcome addition to my DT DD fleet. Especially a nice companion to the same coloured one, but with advertising, without roof box, with 290 cast underneath and fitted with treaded tyres, so ca. 1958-1961! Kind regards, Jan

Hello Jan, Indeed very nice Namac show Houten Netherlands last weekend. Saw the bus also at the dealers (JS) table, excellent condition. I have a similar one, no advertising, no number but color is red with cream. Bought one as a young boy at the local shop. No box and believe these were only sold from tradeboxes. I also bought a very interesting pre war item from the same dealer so had a lucky day too. John.

Yesterday, I received the very hard to find Unic Sahara tractor with it's box, without any reference number on the top ! it's the latest version with the trailer without holes. And 2 Lorry mounted crane arrived this morning. friendly yours Richard

Two recent arrivals are: 40E Standard Vanguard saloon wit rear axle clip (found in New Zealand) and a 555 Commer Fire Engine with extending ladder. Both are in good condition. I assume the date stamp represents 11/52? If so the ladder should have been brown? Could be a swap over at some time in its history. Ron F

Hi Ron, looking at my own early Fire Engines it appears that I also have an example (on the right) with silver ladder and with the stamp MK 10 2 inside the box lid. However, my brown ladder copy also bears that stamp inside, albeit that the '2' is stamped upside down. I think this is of no importance, just a wrong setting of the stamp (could others please check their brown ladder examples on this possibly inverted stamp?). Anyway, this underlines that the brown ladder production run was very short indeed, apparently discontinued in the same month of October 1952 (or slightly before) and that silver ladder examples do occur in 10 2 boxes (if mine is the correct match). Looking at your example, the darker grey of the hose reel points at an early example, and one may expect '555', and 'Dinky Toys', and not 'Dinky Supertoys' underneath. In that case your Fire Engine may most probably match your box too. Congratulations with both additions! Kind regards, Jan