New arrivals

Three models have arrived, and, while I don't want to say they're my last-ever Dinky Toys (heaven forbid), they're the last to be fitted into my overstuffed display case. I'm afraid models are crammed together like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. I only have one other example of this Superior Criterion Ambulance (red side stripes, different colour interior) but fell for this one because to me it's an example of Dinky at its peak. I know many here prefer earlier eras, but for me the early 60s were the best -- mod cons such as steering, suspension, and interiors, plus a few opening parts but not too many. And 1/43 scale or close to it, instead of the huge monstrosities produced later. The other two additions are Indian 'Dinky Toys.' I don't collect aircraft in general, but the Milton re-do of the Caravelle is very attractive. And the Mighty Antar is one of the more elusive Nicky Toys. It comes without the (French-sourced) transformer that the Binns Road original had.

Jonathan---Some very nice additions once again! I have never dabbled with the Indian Nicky Toys, so interesting to see some. The Caravelle does look quite nice in those colors. The Mighty Antarctic looks almost like the original but for the trailer portion, which appears to be a white color.....is that correct? Looks to be in nice condition. Regarding display space

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quite some time ago I exceeded my maximum space, after squeezing in a few more shelves, and then crowding the models, so they are barely 1/8-1/4' apart. So I decided I needed to remove some items, and focus on what was important to me. Some newer ones have to be content to staying in their boxes in cupboards. I have recently made the decision to not buy anymore, and be content with managing, photographing, and writing about what I have. Very nice! Best regards, Terry

Terry, thanks for your kind comments as always. I would love to see your collection! You are right -- the trailer on the Indian Antar is lighter than the one from Liverpool -- more a grayish white than a gray. I am surprised the color is as close to the Liverpool product as it is, since most of the Nicky Toys are different colors from the originals. I just have 10 or 12 Nickys. They are poor quality, but nonetheless fascinating.

Hi Jonathan, these are interesting additions. Indeed, they are poor products generally, but in terms of the history of Dinky Toys they belong to the story. I have been hesitating many times to buy such a Nicky Toy, but I never did. The Caravelle, for instance. It was - or is - on sale on the QDT site recently - and for a very fair price, contrary to other items there. It would make my 'Caravelle story' more complete. I have never had this model in hands. It looks so plump on pictures. Is it really the same die it was made from? Looking at the wings and some other details I doubt it, or the die must have been considerably changed. Thanks for showing and kind regards, Jan

Jan, Indeed, QDT is where I purchased the Caravelle. As you noticed, they claimed this to be from the Dinky tooling, but it may not be. It is known that Milton issued other Dinky lookalikes that were just copies. Alas, I do not have an original Dinky Caravelle to compare side by side. As for the Nickys, of course it is well-known that they came from the Meccano tooling. I am lucky to have various Indian Dinkies but also a couple South African models and one Chilean race car. Wish I had more! Cheers, Jonathan

Thanks, Jonathan, this confirms my thoughts and justifies my hesitation. Nevertheless, something special and a happy addition for you! Kind regards, Jan

Jan, Indeed further study of Jacques' Encyclopaedia confirms that the Caravelle does not come from the Dinky tooling, because its size is wrong. I must admit, though, that I was still fooled until I measured, because whoever created the Milton tooling obviously copied the Dinky in pretty much every respect. (Oddly, it looks as though the fold-down staircase at the rear was originally copied, but then rivetted shut.) Here are some pictures of the Dinky and then of the Milton. As you may spot, a curious feature of the Milton casting is the traces of circles on the top and bottom of the wings, perhaps intended to help locate roundels on some sort of fictional military version. In any case, I don't regret getting the Milton -- it is an interesting rarity, and a nice companion for the two other Miltons I have (luxury coaches that are a close copy of the Dinky 29g). -- Jon

So interesting that they made a similar, but different casting, and I agree well worthwhile to add to your collection.....it is part of 'the story'.Best regards, Terry

On last monday , the race started ! Kind regards Richard

Thought you might like to tsee the differences in size between the Dinky Toys Caravelle and the Milton Toys one. Incidentally, the passenger door on the Milton door is simply a decal, not part of the casting. Ron F

Ron, Wow, that's a stunning difference! -- J

Greetings from Australia Having seen countless 'new arrivals' in this Topic in recent months while I have been absent from the site, on 17 January, a parcel arrived in my post office box from an auction house in the west of England, that yielded five early post-war Dinky toys. This has not been the only parcel to arrive recently, but the models are the nicest ones to come my way in recent months and thus are very deserving to be displayed in this Topic. 27f Estate Car, the first issue without the sales number on the base plate, an ideal candidate to replace mine that was lost while I was living in Papua New Guinea which had been given to me for Christmas 1951. It was this model and the Vanguard that held my deep interest; the others were simply a bonus! 40a Riley Saloon in dark green with black ridged hubs, very similar to one my brother once owned in the early 1950s, 40e Standard Vanguard, 1st casting with open rear wheel arches, with the rear axle secured by a tinplate clip, fawn body with extremely uncommon red ridged hubs, to go with my similar model with the regular fawn hubs, 139a Ford Fordor Sedan, plain roof interior without Ford Sedan, in yellow with yellow ridged hubs, base plate with small letters, and, 139b Hudson Commodore, plain interior roof, light cream in a matte finish, with gloss dark maroon, almost dark brown roof and window frames and ridged hubs, small base plate letters with no model number. Two models are very, very near mint (40a and139b) to very, very slightly chipped (27f) to slightly chipped, (40e and 139a) with the cost delivered to our post office box extremely satisfying. Checking out smaller venues rather than relying on major or well-known auction houses does pay dividends. Bruce H 20170124/1055