The Dreaded Mazak Pest

[AJR]

Looking on t'internet for more info, it seems that this particular model (from August 1995) is notorious for the fatigue problem.
There is no warning issued for any other EFE model even from the August 1995 release sheet.

[mudflap]

Most attics, especially insulated, go from freezing to oven conditions with a little damp thrown in can be a hazard for storing electrical items too - with disastrous results if the said items get plugged in or sold to an unsuspecting buyer!

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Most attics, especially insulated, go from freezing to oven conditions with a little damp thrown in can be a hazard for storing electrical items too - with disastrous results if the said items get plugged in or sold to an unsuspecting buyer!

I sense you speak from experience...

Ghosthunter.

[mudflap]

sort of....as a buyer of used hifi or PA equipment in the past I always made sure items had always "lived" in living room conditions, and vintage stuff was always checked over by a techie before plugging in, but I know old TV's which spent their last days in a garage or shed are to be avoided! So to less demanding hobbies these days...some car models I 've received look like they'd been kept in a rusty bucket of water, buried at the bottom of a garden or on a cobwebby top garage shelf , but there's the challenge to bring them back to like new condition if I can

[GHOSTHUNTER]

I have been trying to maintain a vast private collection of Audio, Hi-Fi and Video equipment for many Years so can relate to what you say.

Ghosthunter.

[AJR]

This particular model though, it doesn't matter whether it has been stored in a loft or in a display case. Just a co-incidence that mine was displayed in the loft (none of the other EFE's in the same display were affected). This one EFE model alone has galloping mazak fatigue. You will see more plastic Pickford's bodies on the Bay of E salvaged from this model than genuine complete models. I am going to do a Code 3 version using my salvaged plastic body onto another trailer and using the cab from the Pickford's rigid.
There have been a few "grounded bodies" and code 3 mix-matches on eBay recently regarding this model. You won't find an intact original anywhere.
There is one here "MINT IN BOX" but look closely at it .... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EFE-AEC-Artic ... SwqfNXiLLS
Then there is this grounded body. Look what it says in the description .... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EFE-PICKFORDS ... 7675.l2557
And here is a mix-match to utilise a body .... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOXED-CODE-3- ... 7675.l2557

[GHOSTHUNTER]

The model in your first link certainly has a bent trailer so is far from mint.
Ghosthunter.

[AJR]

Well, the first eBay item listed above has sold for £9.95p plus postage. I messaged the seller about a week ago but he ignored me and left the listing as it was.
Someone is going to be very disappointed when it arrives. Listing should have read BENT in box rather than mint in box.
Two pics .... one as per listing and one brightened to show fault more clearly.

[nearlymint]

After reading this discussion I got my Dad to check his ones that are stored in the loft, he has 6 models with a bent trailer and some cabs.
This is the Tate and Lyle model with a bent trailer.

EFE

P1010001.jpg (96.95 KiB) Viewed 573 times

J

[AJR]

I have that Tate & Lyle one somewhere. I'll have to search it out. What are the others you have found? I have found no others myself but the "EFE Zone" website does list the culprits ... The Pickfords AEC Artic and the Tate & Lyle Atkinson Artic being two of those mentioned being produced in August / September 1995 so there is a pointer to possible problems. http://www.efezone.co.uk/
The trailer is the weak point, being thinner it expands easier with the mazak fatigue.
The cab and chassis of the tractor unit don't look affected and you can buy a replacement trailer from a cheapo version at a toyfair to do a plastic body swap.
However, if you are inquisitive like I was, you can crumble the cab like a biscuit.
It could be that some models released around the same time are affected but are showing no obvious signs. A flatbed trailer that has no plastic box body to constrain it would grow slightly without bending ... or a bus maybe that has loose windows ????