Lesney Matchbox 30c Faun 8 wheeled crane

Moko Lesney Matchbox 30c Faun 8 wheeled crane

The Lesney model of the 30c Faun 8 wheeled crane joined the Matchbox 1-75 series in mid 1965.
It was usually painted a darkish green on the body and the crane jib was orange, It had a silver plated baseplate and a yellow hook.
The wheels were 11.5 x 45 black plastic on dome head axles with rounded ends.
Very soon into production Lesney cast in a brace under the crane platform above the rear axle running to the back of the chassis,
The early issues without the brace are very rare but being as the alteration is not easy to see when the model is in the display cabinet the version without the brace does not fetch much more than the version with the brace.
The baseplate was next for modification when a towing guide was cast in.
The model was usually found with a yellow hook but two short runs were released with red hooks but it should be noted that the hooks can easily br swapped between models so no great value should be placed on the red hook variation.
One unusual issue was released as part of the G6 giftset which was released in 1966-67 where the Faun was recoloured to turquoise (sea green). This is a very rare variation which is seldom seen.
Another very unusual 8 wheeled crane was sold by Vectis in 2003 which was based on the 30c chassis and crane jib but it was fitted with the cab from the 63b Foamite crash tender which had been modified by being shortened and by having the wheel arches adapted to match the Faun wheel pattern, It also had blue roof dome lights fitted and the body was painted red and the crane jib painted silver, there were many other minor casting modifications to the body and jib.
The Faun was packaged in 'E' boxes, It was converted to superfast wheels in 1970, The usual superfast colours were red body and gold crane jib but a few were released with red superfast body but fitted with an orange crane jib from the regular wheeled model, This transitional Faun is quite a rare model.

code number general wheel type tow guide rear brace hook colour

code 1 green body, orange jib, plated baseplate 11.5 x 45 black plastic no tow guide no brace yellow plastic

code 2 green body, orange jib, plated baseplate 11.5 x 45 black plastic no tow guide with brace yellow plastic

code 3 green body, orange jib, plated baseplate 11.5 x 45 black plastic no tow guide with brace red plastic

code 4 green body, orange jib, plated baseplate 11.5 x 45 black plastic with tow guide with brace red plastic

code 5 green body, orange jib, plated baseplate 11.5 x 45 black plastic with tow guide with brace yellow plastic

code 6 turquoise body, orange jib, plated baseplate 11.5 x 45 black plastic no tow guide with brace yellow plastic

box types	notes
E2	two blue sides "new model"
E2	light blue sides
E3	light blue sides
E4	light blue sides
E4R	light blue sides

values

green body, no rear brace £50 (estimate)

green body, with rear brace £25

turquoise (sea green) body £2500+

values are for mint models in mint boxes

price guide gallery

box gallery

code number	general	wheel type	tow guide	rear brace	hook colour
code 1	green body, orange jib, plated baseplate	11.5 x 45 black plastic	no tow guide	no brace	yellow plastic
code 2	green body, orange jib, plated baseplate	11.5 x 45 black plastic	no tow guide	with brace	yellow plastic
code 3	green body, orange jib, plated baseplate	11.5 x 45 black plastic	no tow guide	with brace	red plastic
code 4	green body, orange jib, plated baseplate	11.5 x 45 black plastic	with tow guide	with brace	red plastic
code 5	green body, orange jib, plated baseplate	11.5 x 45 black plastic	with tow guide	with brace	yellow plastic
code 6	turquoise body, orange jib, plated baseplate	11.5 x 45 black plastic	no tow guide	with brace	yellow plastic