The variation guide.

[Tinman]

Nick, I went into the variation guide tonight to double check my memory about the wheel size on the 44c GMC Fridge Truck and lo and behold ... no wheel sizes! I had to go dig out my Stannard.

Also wanted to check something on the 74a Canteen and Code 7 & Code 8 seem to be excatly the same. Thought you might want to know about these two.

[Brad Pittiful]

not to be critical of Nicks hard work...and the guide is awesome...but ive noticed a couple entries that are the exact same...what is happening to the thread on the old forum where people posted new variations found...i found a bunch that i entered in that thread that were never applied to the guide...unless they are looked at and deemed not worthy to be added...just wondering

[nickjones]

Hi Joe.
The wheel size for the 44c GMC is stated in the text 12.5 x 40 Black Plastic Wheels, I don't include variation details to the table that are exactly the same for all variations, it just clutters the table for no benefit. at least, that's my theory.
The 74a code 7 and 8 were the same, On code 8 I had the serving hatch down as having a single hinge brace when it should have been a twin hinge brace, my mistake.
Dan, I know I have got well behind adding the new variations, I'm trying to catch by doing them in order, I started at number 1a and am up to 8e, I have also been doing updates that Antonin is helping me with but these are for random models so although the website always looks the same there is quite a lot of work you don't notice going on in the background, My thinking is it is only worth updating a page when I think I have all of the details so I don't have to do it again and again, Believe me, when I try and update a page several different times then mistakes appear,
Besides, I took the summer off - but normal service will resume shortly!,

[Brad Pittiful]

i know its a lot of work Nick...i can see why you are trying to be methodical and having to do twice the work isnt productive

[ChFalkensteiner]

I don't include variation details to the table that are exactly the same for all variations, it just clutters the table for no benefit. at least, that's my theory.

"No benefit" is not quite correct, as the benefit would be that if you had a model on which a certain feature were different from all variations listed, you would notice immediately.

I think that all features which are supposed to be identical on all variations of a certain model should be listed in an easy to survey manner immediately above or below the actual variation listing, if not repeated for each variation.

This applies first and foremost to the six "standard" features which should IMHO be mentioned for every model:

- body (colour(s))
- baseplate (colour and material - metal or plastic)
- interior (colour and material - metal or plastic)
- window glazing (colour)
- wheel type (colour, material - metal or plastic - , dimensions and tread count)
- decoration (type - painted trim, labels, decals, printing - , colour(s) and description).

If a model has no baseplate, interior, window glazing, wheels or decoration, that should be mentioned explicitly too.

Of course, many models have additional features which must also be described for those but can be omitted for others which do not have them.

Just some humble suggestions...

[kwakers]

I have found Nick's guide to be very accurate and concise, which is what a variation table should be. If the header indicates the tire size and is the only known tread, that is fine and I am in agreement with this method. Once a second tire size or casting variation is known, the table has always been expanded to include these differences by code. Keeping any guide simple and easy to use is a priority, and Nick's Regular Wheel Guide does that just as Mike Stannard's guide did 28 years ago.
As for Superfast variations, Nigel has the 'Bible' on them already, and Christian is dead on with the more complex categories that need to be listed in order to track the prolific changes noted by him. Please don't confuse the simple requirements of Regular wheeled variations with the complexities of the Superfast models. The two are apples and oranges.
I have noted the changes in Nick's Guide, but the Forum shuffle has now put off any updates until all of us are enthusiastically back on and participating here. I agree with Nick that one concise update is better than adding a single code every couple of months to each model. It is easier and simpler for both he and all of us collectors that are now involved in sharing and discussing our non-listed models.
If a way to add a code without effecting all of the later variations can be adopted somehow, we old timers might stop clutching our Stannards, and catalog by Nick's timeline accurate listings. Until then, we keep updating our notes in the margin of our Stannard's stone tablet that we can carry to shows with us. Caveman kwakers