35c Merryweather Fire Engine

British made Matchbox Superfast 1969-83
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GHOSTHUNTER
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by GHOSTHUNTER »

Here are the other two pictures from "Matchboxuk" and he says they were intended to represent Military versions, using spare paint from the current 'Twin-Pack' Military blister mounted models in production at that time.

GOSTHUNTER.
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matchbox uk..military pre-pro.jpg
matchbox uk..military pre-pro.jpg (55.97 KiB) Viewed 1051 times
ecf9fe79770b785e7ca8de6dd3ed72552f8a62ed.jpg
ecf9fe79770b785e7ca8de6dd3ed72552f8a62ed.jpg (56.21 KiB) Viewed 1051 times
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nickjones
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by nickjones »

I can confirm the military green version is a later issue as it has riveted axle clips, also '5 arch' wheels tells us it is a later issue colour trial.
Being Numi's UK postbox sure has it's benefits. :D
Nick Jones.
In sunny Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, UK
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Idris
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by Idris »

I seem to recall that the military green version was supposed to represent a Green Goddess and that Lesney seriously thought about producing a run of them at the time of the big firemen's strike in the mid-80s. However, the Company failed to respond quickly enough and, by the time they'd got themselves organised, the strike was over and the Green Goddesses had been taken off the streets.
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nearlymint
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by nearlymint »

This one has taken me a while to find and I must say it has cheered me up no end. Model has a partial bottom ridge and in nearmint condition.
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35a.jpg (93.02 KiB) Viewed 1000 times
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35b.jpg (74.41 KiB) Viewed 1000 times
Very happy :D . J
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GHOSTHUNTER
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by GHOSTHUNTER »

Jason, you do it again, how!

QUESTION...Do you actually own any normal 'Bog-Standard' models?

Lovely, well done mate, enjoy.

Ghosty.
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nearlymint
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by nearlymint »

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:Jason, you do it again, how!

QUESTION...Do you actually own any normal 'Bog-Standard' models?

Lovely, well done mate, enjoy.

Ghosty.
Hi Ghosty,
I make sure I have at least 2 castings of most early models just for comparison, not many are any good though.
J
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nearlymint
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by nearlymint »

For info.J
A-no ridge.
B-partial round ridge.
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35AB.jpg (47.63 KiB) Viewed 992 times
C-full round ridge.
D-narrow flat ridge.
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35CD.jpg (42.03 KiB) Viewed 992 times
E-wide flat ridge
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35E.jpg (19.86 KiB) Viewed 992 times
Nearlymint
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GHOSTHUNTER
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by GHOSTHUNTER »

Thank's Jason, that is a very good photographic display of those 'Side-Sill' casting differences and goes to show just the sort of thing Lesney were constantly monitoring to see if modifications needed to be done, the only thing is...what benefit some of the modifications had!! whatever, it makes the chasing and collecting of all things Lesney such fun, great stuff.

Ghosty.
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johnboy
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by johnboy »

Very nice indeed Jason, it took me ages to find the no-ridge version and even then it was pure luck. Another one to look out for now :D
John
There's nothing regular about wheels
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fixer
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by fixer »

johnboy wrote:Very nice indeed Jason, it took me ages to find the no-ridge version and even then it was pure luck. Another one to look out for now :D
the race is on J.B :D :D
reg
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