New arrivals

Beautiful items Bruce, in very good conditions. Congratulations For me today, arrived a Mercedes Benz 300 SE in metallic blue : it's the first version with smooth area under the bonnet and only the letter 'A' and the last version of the duple roadmaster Leyland Royal tiger ref.282. Kind regards Richard

Hi all, quite some fascinating new additions above, well done! Ron, thanks for the identification of the Milton Toys Caravelle as not being produced from the old Dinky moulds. This qualification of QDT could not make sense, and now you show in comparison that the difference is very obvious. I hesitated to buy it, but, as demonstrated now, with a reason. Still a desirable object , but not fitting into an overview of Dinky Toys history. Bruce, the Estate Car is one of my firm favourites too and I can vividly imagine that you were looking out for a replacement. And a beauty it is! I scored some fine acquistions too. Earlier this month I came across a beautiful first issue no. 38c Lagonda Coupe, with the smooth hubs, 'closed' steering wheel and original white early post-war tyres as a bonus. Some chipping, but the paint looks very clean and bright, with an 'as new' patina. In this appearance together with the no. 153a Jeep the first post-war Dinky Toys issue - both with the smooth hubs and closed steering wheel. Just arrived from Thailand I brought two nice French Dinky Toys with me yesterday. Bought from a French Dinky collector over there, whom I got acquaintance with via the internet. It was very nice to meet in person and we had a very interesting and matey Dinky afternoon at his home in Bangkok. The prize consists of a blue/cream French Dinky Toys no. 29f Autocar Chausson, a companion to my previous red one, and an all light grey no. 24x Ford 'Vedette 54'. Lovely items in excellent condition and boxed. Kind regards, Jan

Wow----so many nice, new items from all of you! Bruce, all of your new ones are so nice and desirable, street from the heart of the Golden Years of Dinky production. I well remember instantly liking that Estate Car the first time I saw one. 'Woodies' are still very popular here in the states, and widely admired. And Jan, what nice acquisitions....the Lagonda is just lovely, and an early one with smooth wheels and white tires looks lovely. Sounds like you also had an enjoyable trip....welcome back!Best regards, Terry

This thread is a horrible influence, bearing in mind that I really have no more space for Dinky Toys! Fortunately for my wallet at least, I enjoy even the models from the non-Golden years! These three arrived yesterday: I was pleased to get the late Bedford Refuse Wagon, because it's still pretty nice for late production, and because it's in the lime green colour that I've been told was used by Liverpool (can any readers confirm?). As such it completes my 'Liverpool' collection, since I have the lime green version of the earlier Bedford Refuse Wagon and of the Ford D800 street sweeper (though I still want that one in the last, one-year only 'facelift' version). The Modellers World version of the 410 had eluded me previously, so it adds to my fleet of those vans. And the 293 Atlantean, though a little less than mint and with a tatty box, was keenly priced. Much to my surprise, I only had the 'Regent' version before. Finally also yesterday, this shop display case arrived as the result of a successful eBay bid. I'll have to figure out where to put it and what models should go inside. The header card was crafted by the seller; I have an original on another display case and will have to figure out how to make a reasonable fascimile (it's larger than 8 1/2 x 11 or A4 size, so a computer printer won't work).

Two fine new additions these days, one Liverpool product, one Bobigny's: No. 6 Shepherd Set, the final edition 1952-1956, this one quality control stamped 26 2 52. And: No. 38a Camion Unic multibenne Marrel, in the lighter (1957-1958) yellow/lemon finish, issue with convex hubs in front and early attachment of the container. This one completes my pre-1960s Unic issues: 38a, 39a Unic Saharien and 39b Unic Porte-voitures. Kind regards, Jan

Very nice Jan. Just one missing : the Unic antargaz More difficult to find. Good luck. Richard

Hi Richard, thanks for your comment! Fortunately that difficult-to-find 'antargaz' (or is it 'Primagaz'?) is not on my wishlist as it is too young, post-1965, new number only, with too much plastic. This may sound very strict, but this limitation helps me perfectly keeping control over the collection (and my finances ). Kind regards, Jan

Discovered lurking in my post office box was this 153a Jeep, the hard-to-find first casting of this model. Forgot to give it a little clean before going into the photo studio, so please excuse the dust of countless civilisations! A very accurate casting, although the tinplate windscreen surround is a little too high. Still, it is a nice effort from Meccano. This completes my 153A collection. Finally I have just added an image of the Willys Jeep I acquired for my War Branch of the National Museum, donated by a Port Moresby pharmacist, Bill Chapman. Bruce H. (150) 20170903/1067:1343

Bruce---That's a very nice first version of the Jeep, with smooth wheels and the solid steering wheel. The paint appears to be in great condition.....very nice find! That little Jeep was one of my first 5 Dinky's, for Christmas in 1951, and I have always loved it, along with the Reconnaissance Car....both superb castings with lots of detail, and very accurate models as well. The early version, with the flat hood or bonnet, is much nicer; the later casting with that 'domed' hood just doesn't look quite right to me. Best regards, Terry

Nice find, Bruce, exactly the one I am still looking for, as a companion to my first issue Lagonda! Kind regards, Jan

Hi Jan. You're right ! Of course, it's Primagaz Nice Jeep Bruce, specially the scale 1 Friendly yours Richard

Thank you fellows for your nice comments. I think the first casting was the best with the flat bonnet, although the second casting that retains the flat bonnet but has the open steering wheel does really take the cake! I was very surprised with the outcome of the sale, thirty quid plus extras! Same price a similar model sold earlier last year, and yet ten years ago, the price was in the region of more than double what i paid. But I intend giving the little chap a nice bath and warm dry-down and cannot wait to see the result! Kind regards to you all Bruce (150) 20170309/1068:2027