35c Merryweather Fire Engine

British made Matchbox Superfast 1969-83
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johnboy
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35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by johnboy »

This was in a beater box at Potters Bar toyfair today and I noticed it had no raised sill and there is no (A) on the baseplate, would this be like Jason's that came to light sometime ago? thanks
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John
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nearlymint
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by nearlymint »

Very nice John, can I just ask if the rear has 4 open holes as on the very early prepro. Jason
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johnboy
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by johnboy »

Hi Jason, I can't see anything unusual on the back, here's a photo.
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SMS88
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by SMS88 »

It also has the pre-pro divided lockers too - very nice find,no traces of sticker glue,early solid wheels,pre pro body and baseplate, who is to prove that its not actually a trial model ??
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nearlymint
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by nearlymint »

johnboy wrote:Hi Jason, I can't see anything unusual on the back, here's a photo.
Thanks John, all of these seem to have the 4 holes at the top filled in. I have had a few of these now and they have all been the same.
Thanks for adding the picture.
Jason
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Idris
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by Idris »

Just out of interest, what are the wheel numbers?
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SMS88
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by SMS88 »

The Merryweather was the first SF with axle clips if I recall correctly or did the SF29 pumper get out first? These look like being way ahead of other truck conversions to SF
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johnboy
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by johnboy »

Thanks Jason and Mick for the information. The wheel numbers are difficult to read in poor light, but they appear to be 52, 7, E43 and 03A. Does that make sense and could someone explain what the wheel numbers reveal? Thanks again
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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by GHOSTHUNTER »

Hi johnboy, the numbers on the wheels are there to identify which moulds to go and look at when someone notices that a casting fault has developed. The moulds with the matching number can then be repaired or replaced, everything that has gone into making a model of the types that we collect, have similar I.D. numbers.

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Re: 35c Merryweather Fire Engine

Post by johnboy »

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:Hi johnboy, the numbers on the wheels are there to identify which moulds to go and look at when someone notices that a casting fault has developed. The moulds with the matching number can then be repaired or replaced, everything that has gone into making a model of the types that we collect, have similar I.D. numbers.

GHOSTHUNTER.
Thanks Ghosty, I'm familiar with the numbers on windows, doors, hoods, etc on regular wheels but the superfast wheel numbers seem more cryptic. Sorry if this has been answered previously, but have the wheel numbers ever been collated by model/date? Going a bit off topic here, but do you know if the wheels & other parts (plastics, axles, labels, etc) were manufactured in-house?
John
There's nothing regular about wheels
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