Difference 13a and 13b crane brackets.

[Diecast]

Do you have a separate column in your personal guide to keep track of the condition of models in your own collection Antonin? My conditions are listed as 'used', fair, excellent, NMint, and 'Mint'. My 'Mint' is not 'PERFECT MINT', but these models show no play wear at all. Box wear is common on tail fins, front fender crowns and high detail points even when boxed Lesney models had not been handled when new 40-50 years ago in our stores, so I still consider these models Mint. Hence different 'Mint' ratings for different people. If I find a nice Lesney for sale, I check it's codes and my collection model's condition for possible upgrading. 'Rares' are bought in any condition for trading spares if their price is reasonable.

I am glad that you like my system Dick. I have not a separate column for the conditions of my models. I use my own scale 10 to 1 ("10" is mint, "1" is very bad), and instead "yes" and "no" in the checking column I write e.g. 10 or 8,5 or 2. From this digit is clear for me that I have the model and also the condition of the model. No digit - no model. Cheers
Antonin

[ChFalkensteiner]

I think I have something to contribute to this thread. The 13a example shown in the following pictures has been found recently at a local flea market. Sadly it is missing the hook, but it seems interesting enough to show here:



Firstly, it is my first 13a example with domed axle ends; the existence of this has been mentioned above by Antonin:



Secondly, all four wheels have the number 13 cast, which indicates these are the wheels intended for 13b:





Thirdly, the colour of the boom is quite clearly not red, but maroon, which becomes obvious when viewed alongside another example:



I believe that examples might exist with any one or two of the three mentioned features present but not the others, so there is potential for many additional variations. It is quite intriguing how a model of which there are absolutely no variations listed in most publications can have so many variations in actual fact. To me this puts a question mark behind all cataloguing efforts...

[Idris]

Very interesting, Christian. Obviously a model from right at the end of this model's life.
That maroon boom is very unexpected, and it's interesting that the crossover 13b which Antonin reported only has a normal red example. Is the maroon a match for any contemporary 1-75 model?

[Idris]

I've just noticed the precision of the trim to the radiator grill and front bumper. Could this have been some kind of trial piece, or a special for a toy show display?

[ChFalkensteiner]

I see no significant difference on the grille trim compared with my other examples.

There is no proper daylight available to me at present, but I had a quick look in the artificial light of my flat, and the shade of maroon is very similar to my maroon examples of 17a and also to the earlier (lighter) examples of 17c.

[yellowfoden]

Hello Christian , Hugh and all,

Very interesting Christian and definitely variations to look for. Here is a comparison image of my 13a’s showing one boom as being an orange red (model #2). I liken this colour to a 20a that Hugh has shown in the past or the 11a shown by Antonin. Each of these 13a have the flat head crimped axles.

The second image shows two quite distinct dark tan body colours (model #3 and #4).

Regards
Bert