I looked, and did not see this topic listed, so thought it might be fun to try it here. Jan Werner and I have seen this topic used to good effect on the Planet Diecast forum, and I am hoping it will prove interesting and fun here as well. There are so many possible pairings or interesting and unusual combinations of Dinky Toys, that it should be easy to come up with many examples. I also hope this helps stimulate more discussion and participation on our website. So here is my first effort.....and a nice one to start with. It is the pairing of the 22c Motor Truck and the 30e Breakdown Car (truck really). Both of these models were originally made pre-war, then re-introduced for a few years after WWII. They share the same casting, with the difference being the towing crane added to the Breakdown Car. Many have tried to assign a prototype vehicle as being the inspiration, but it was finally decided that this is a mix of real truck designs, with both Bedford and Dodge influence. My Motor Truck is an interesting, very early post war edition, as it has pre-war style smooth black, shiny wheels, the open rear window, white tires, and also black painted wings or fenders. There was also a Searchlight Truck version, which is quite rare and hard to find. These are really neat little trucks, so enjoy!
Regards, Terry
Superb pair
This CAPTCHA thing is UTTERLY STUPID
I'm getting rid of the captcha stuff on logins and posts. It was only really relevant for the new user registrations because the site was picking up spam reg pests.
Dave--I have never seen the white Austin Champ before; please explain what it is, etc.....I would like to know, and a very nice pair it is.....thanks! And Jan your pair of tank transporters are also very nice and help to show how these combinations are out there.
Regards, Terry
Hi Terry
The white Champ is a known 'special' made by Meccano. It is believed about 500 were made for an order for Germany. It is not the standard casting which had a driver and holes in the other seats for passengers. It is called the "UN Champ" because United Nations vehicles were, and still are, always painted predominantly white, the wheels and wings were green. An ordinary 674 Champ is worth around £80 but a genuine UN version is about £400-450. If you see one with seat holes it is a repaint and worth about £10.
Ramsays list it as an Export only item but it is believed to have only gone to Germany, any further information is sketchy.
Dave
... and - I believe - it should always have plastic hubs, shouldn't it, Dave? Is this hole-less casting the final state of the die (so ca. 1971) or were regular Champs with holes in the seats produced afterwards still? [perhaps this discussion should be continued in a 674 topic]
Kind regards, Jan
Mine has plastic hubs and a plastic steering wheel, all the genuine ones I have seen have been like this. I will add it to the 674 thread later.
Dave
Dave---Thanks for explaining.....I don't remember seeing that one before. I guess over the years, Meccano made several special edition versions, some for promotions, etc. Makes for exciting collecting! And Jan, nice helicopters. I never did buy the Sebena, but had the other two since 1959.
Regards, Terry
Following on Jan's post, showing the two tank transporters, here is my version showing both of the Transformer Transporters......the English Mighty Antar along with the French Berliet. Another example of Meccano extending the life of the casting and broadening its line by offering a modified version of the original military offering.
Regards, Terry
After being forced into a really big update on the system today, a lot of forum formatting has been somehow wiped away. I'll have to look into it later this week, but at least the thing still seems to be working.
Your efforts are much appreciated, Al - as you know.We'll very patiently await your web-wizzard actions!
Another great natural combination topic is the pair of English and French Tow Trucks, in this case the 25x/430 Breakdown Lorry, Commer Chassis, made from 1950 through 1964; and its French cousin, the 35a/582 Citroen Camionnette de Depannage, made from 1955 through 1971. So both were very long lived models and very well done. To me, what is interesting, is how similar they are in design, looks, and function, but the fact is they share no common parts at all, except the same tire size and the string for the tow mechanism. Even the crane towers, while similar, are different, and the hooks are slightly different size. Below are several photos showing the similarities of these two fun models.
Regards, Terry
Hi guys,
Thanks for all the posts on this forum. There are only a few of you that actually post anything, but I’m sure you have many followers (I am one for sure).
I thought I finally should try to post something even if it is said to be difficult. We’ll see about that, won’t we. And no offence towards our webmasters (hello, Dave). I know you’re doing a great job.
I found this dump truck the other day by chance and bought it for 15 €. It’s the 924 Aveling-Barford Centaur dump truck, present in the catalogues between 1973-1976. It’s a heavy piece and weighs 760 grams. Is this the heaviest Dinky?
Thought it would match the 965 Euclid dump truck.
In 1955 I was lucky to get a new Euclid Dump Truck and, at that time, it seemed huge.
When the Aveling Barford came along it made it look puny. I am still not sure why Meccano made it that big, I do not think that at that time they had anything to prove. I fear that it was another nail in the coffin leading to their demise.
Dave
Ooh they are nice Terry, I am still trying to find an affordable sauce bottle version.
Dave
Dave-----an "affordable sauce bottle" version may be a bit of an oxymoron, but good luck in your quest!
Regards, Terry
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Dinky 582/982 Pullmore - Dark Blue Cab/Dark Blue Body
DTCAwebsite upgrade 2023
--33 Mechanical Horse and Five Assorted Trailers
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186 Mercedes 220 SE
186 Mercedes 220 SE
--14a and 400 B.E.V. Electric Truck (1948-60)
--33 Mechanical Horse and Five Assorted Trailers
--25m and 410 Bedford End Tipper (1948-63)
--25m and 410 Bedford End Tipper (1948-63)
Trailer Caravans
Austin Van 470
Meccano Liverpool pricelist French F.A.S. Tarif Exportation 1957
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-274 - A.A. Mini van
Dinky Toys books
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--40h and 254 Austin FX3 Taxi (1952-59)
--40h and 254 Austin FX3 Taxi (1952-59)
-066 Bedford Flat Truck (1957-60)
-066 Bedford Flat Truck (1957-60)
--40h and 254 Austin FX3 Taxi (1952-59)
--40h and 254 Austin FX3 Taxi (1952-59)
--40h and 254 Austin FX3 Taxi (1952-59)