The following text was copied from Nicks 21d description.
Quote ”The left rear of the body was also modified three times, The first issue had a wide ladder and the platform below the ladder was thin.
The platform must have been damaged at some stage as there was a very poor repair done to it which left the platform much thicker than the other ones.
This was later repaired again leaving a thinner platform which was the same thickness as the other platforms but for some reason the top of the right hand side of the ladder now tapered inwards.
Finally two braces were cast in one either side which joined the inner edge of the rear mudguards with the rearmost edge of the platforms.” End quote
I think I can now explain the reason and would like to suggest that the two separate damages events occurred on two different dies (moulds).
Note 1
Die number 1 (one) was damaged resulting in the platform damage and this repair resulted in a thicker platform. Thick platform = straight ladder = die 1 (one).Applies to later codes only.
It was subsequently repaired back to thin platform.
This die number 1 (one) was modified again to add the braced section at the rear possibly as a consequence in that it is easier to remove metal from a die. It was done to both sides of model.
Note 2
Number 2 die was also damaged with the loss of a little metal resulting in a small triangular section alongside the top step. See photo
A Repair was then done.
The attempted repair to die number 2 (two) resulted in a narrow damaged ladder step and tapered ladder.
For this poor repair to occur, the die would need to have gained more metal towards the top of ladder and some castings are quite poor in quality in finish.
Interestingly this die was not further rectified in the ladder area at the time the braces were added to both sides at the rear.
This is the rear brace version currently documented by Stannard and Nick.
So as a result of two different dies being damaged we have a SECOND VARIATION THAT HAS THE REAR BRACES.
NEW = number 1 (One) has a straight ladder and rear braces both sides = type 1 body
Existing number 2 (two) the tapered ladder as shown in Nicks body type 4
For those collectors interested in minor detail the left hand rear brace on die 2 is slightly bigger than that on die 1 (one.) See attached images to compare.
The attached photos show the two types along with location of the die (mould) number inside the cab on chassis floor. You might need to turn the interior light on to see it!
