New arrivals

I obtain few Dinky Toys these days -- alas, no room in the car park. But this late version of the Blaw-Knox arrived yesterday. The box shows what I presume to be the original U.S. price of $4.25, which would have been rather a lot for a toy that's almost all plastic. The only other plastic Dinky vehicle I can think of is the Pink Panther car. I recall reading that in that case, a metal prototype was produced, but they realised that the flywheel-powered toy could have caused serious injury to feet or furniture if produced in that form. What the rationale was for the plastic Blaw-Knox is harder to discern ...

Nice acquisition Jonathan. A question: did Meccano use the same dies somehow for these plastic versions of several toys, or was all new tooling needed for plastic? Going to plastic sure resulted in a very different model from the normal, very solid Meccano construction.

I can't answer the question about the tooling, but I'll bet Jacques can. The tooling has at least been modified -- it's funny how I didn't even notice this at first -- because in the metal version, the engine is not exposed, whereas on the plastic model there is visible engine detail. Apparently the plastic version was made only in 1964, yet there are two versions -- the one with olive green wheels that I have obtained, and one (pictured in Jacques' Encyclopaedia) where the wheels are the same color as the blade. The base of the plastic Blaw Knox remains tinplate, but it doesn't contribute much weight, so the whole thing is surprisingly light.

Johnny,Injecting plastic in a die made for zamac is no problem as the melting temperature is lower. It has been done many times by Meccano U.K. for testing new dies. 700 458 The base plate has been modified for the plastic dozer on which the plate is attached by only one screw when the on the zamac model it is attached by three rivets.There is no evidence that the die has been modified but it is very likely that the mould for the plastic model is entirely new as three out of five of it's parts had to be made new. I have not seen the British Standard for toys but it may contain a weight / size ratio limit. This limit may be one of the reasons for turning the bull dozer to plastic and to make some large Dinky out of aluminium.

Thanks, Jacques -- I knew you would have the answer! As to the switch to plastic having been required by British standards, I'm dubious. Yes, the metal Blaw Knox could double as a weapon in the hands of an angry child -- but Meccano would go on to produce some equally massive items later. I'm thinking of the 963 Road Grader, 924 Aveling Barford Dump Truck, and 977 Shovel Dozer for example!!

In my understanding, the plastic version was an excercise in cost saving - there was no BSI (British Standards Institution) ruling on toy weight, as has been said there were some much heavier diecasts on the market. On a sadder note, I bought one of these along with several other obsolete Dinkies when a local toyshop closed down in the early 1970's. Upon opening the box to find a plasic toy inside, I was disappointed, and not realising the potential rarity, I swapped it with a friend for other toys. It met its' end at the mercy of his brothers' air rifle a few days later. Incidentally, the wheels were the same colour as the blade and exhaust. Kevin.

Dear Members. Interesting discussion on the Blaw Knox but not in the right topic ! Can our moderators move these messages in the already existing thread ? Thank you. Kind regards Richard

Hi Jan. The Citron 2cv van 'Wegenwacht' 1st type, from Holland, arrived last saturday. I suppose that you own all the variations ? Kind regards Richard

I'm sorry to disappoint you, Richard, I have none of them. It may seem ridiculously strict, but it is slightly too late for me. With limited financial resources and space - and only looking for almost perfect models - I have set rather tight limits to my collecting policy. But I cannot fully exclude that I may surrender for this model some time, whenever it will be crossing my path, and at a decent price. And a nice model it is indeed, certainly your spotless example!!!! If I remember well I translated the box text for Jacques, some time ago. By the way, I have the ANWB motor cycle of course, perfectly fitting within my collecting slot. Kind regards, Jan

Hello all, Two new itereting acquistitions of late. First is a #127 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III in mateallic red with a bright blue base. I've heard of them with yellow bases and painted in dark grey. I also have another metallic red version with bright plated base. Unfortunately, all my #127s have their Spiritof Ecstasy mascot broken off! Otherwise they are mint. A very weak point I suspect. The second new arrival is #945 AEC ESSO tanker. I was after a late issue one with cast headlight instead of jeweled ones. This indeed had cast headlights but the surprise was that the upper structure of the tank is cast in plastic - like the later #950 Foden S20 Burmah/Shell version Ron F

Hello Ron, I confirm that I have also heard about yellow base plates for the 127 Rolls-Royce. The early chassis did not have the holes for the cristal boxes and were painted black as on the picture below. Could you please provide similar larger pictures of your blue and bare zamac base plates as well as a picture of your best red model 127.Thanks and regards. Jacques

At last, just added a fine scarcer earliest version red no. 521 Bedford Articulated Lorry of 1948 as a companion to my lonely no. 409 yellow example of the mid-fiftees. It took a long time to find an affordable copy in this condition. Some more photos and details in the appropriate thread in due time! Kind regards, Jan