OOPS !

[mike]

Hi Numi. Hallo Numi, Ciao Numi..................

Дзякуй Нумі, за добрыя словы.
Мы любім цябе, Майк & Nico.

Thank you Numibut there are the Google translator.

Bussi Bussi ,Mike & Nico

[fixer]

found this one at Rayleigh today noticed the 2 smaller front wheels then noticed they are different sizes too once I got it home

[Idris]

The assembly process for this model involved attaching the baseplate (and almost certainly also adding the barrel closure) followed by painting. Only then was the model wheeled. (The position of the baseplate rivet meant that one of the front axles could only be added after the baseplate had been riveted. Furthermore, the rivet is always found fully painted, showing that it was spun prior to painting.)
Since the baseplate with wheels cannot have formed a sub-assembly which would be added to a model already having the rear axles in place, someone has made a deliberate effort to place four smaller diameter wheels on the two front axles whilst wheeling the whole model.
This is therefore more than an oops.

[fixer]

So does that mean this is a deliberate oops or a strange fake?

[Idris]

So does that mean this is a deliberate oops or a strange fake?

It must be deliberate, but as to whether it's a genuine factory product or a post-factory creation, I don't know. What do the axle ends look like on the other side?

[fixer]

I'll post some pictures when I get back home they look OK to me

[yellowfoden]

....... someone has made a deliberate effort to place four smaller diameter wheels on the two front axles whilst wheeling the whole model.
This is therefore more than an oops.

Hello Reg and Hugh,
The perspective of the image from Reg (model on box) indicates that the two front right hand side wheels look to be the same size as rear wheels.
So this may be a case where the two left front wheels have fallen off in the tray or on conveyor. When model was picked up by the axle rivet operator she has then picked out two new spares from her bin probably unaware they were different sizes. By chance looks like she got the tread count the same (18) or maybe thought it was a space saver wheel.
I am of course judging the two front axles as having the small end on the left side when comparing the rear axle dome end in the above photo.
Really nice and interesting model Reg.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Another question for you Reg, do both front wheels on the Second axle NOT touch the floor, as shown in your close up of the First and Second axles.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[fixer]

here's a few more pictures as requested the other wheels all seem to be the standard size and touch the floor the axle ends look ok to me all be it a little rusty

[GHOSTHUNTER]

I am happy with those axle-ends and the best image is from the underside of the whole model showing that tiny front 'Near-Side' wheel on the Second axle.

GHOSTHUNTER.