Recent finds

[nearlymint]

Love that Halftrack, excellent to find error models like this.
J

[Idris]

Can we see more pictures of the half-track with the front roller? It's surprising mistake - would the axle fit? Perhaps it was a factory worker's joke.

It does seem an unlikely mistake.
I have heard a theory that error pieces like this were created deliberately by the ladies on the line simply to relieve the tedium.

[Sebastian10]

Some great finds there.

Do you think the painted rivet 63 came first, rather like the 30c Faun crane? I have the thin-wheeled version with the unpainted rivet, so that's another one to look for.

Sorry I have no idea - I only started looking for the thin wheels version after reading about them on the forum a couple of years ago - I have a fair number of them now - they are packed away but I think the split is about 50/50 painted/unpainted rivet

Can we see more pictures of the half-track with the front roller? It's surprising mistake - would the axle fit? Perhaps it was a factory worker's joke. Great find, anyway!

Have to say sorry again - I don't have any camera at present - I bought the model online last year from Vectis who were selling an ex Matchbox employee collection and according to Vectis it was a "Rare factory error, the first time we have seen this production line assembly mistake which displays well."

I think It was a bit of bargain as it cost exactly half their upper estimate (plus auction costs) whereas these days their auction prices seem to be going through the roof!

Sebastian

[DrJeep]

I think the split is about 50/50 painted/unpainted rivet

Interesting. I'll have to look for the painted rivet version. The thin wheels are definitely not common.

...ex Matchbox employee collection...

Perhaps a factory special, or maybe a genuine error that was spotted before it escaped. Great find!

[Sebastian10]

I think the split is about 50/50 painted/unpainted rivet

Interesting. I'll have to look for the painted rivet version. The thin wheels are definitely not common.

I managed to dig out all of my Dodge Crane Truck 63c thin wheel versions - conditions vary from beaters to excellent - details below

9 have painted rivet and each one has all of the crane interior painted

7 have unpainted rivet and each one has a partially painted crane interior

I have 2 thick wheel versions with painted rivet - each has all of the crane interior painted and one has a tow guide

Gradually going through my backlog of models that I got a while back so here's a few more

1 Silver Rolls Royce Phantom 44b
2 Mercedes Truck 1e with thin step front bumper and no rear mudguard braces
3 Land Rover Fire Truck 57c with violet/purple slide
4 Another Mercedes Truck 1e with thin step front bumper and no rear mudguard braces
5 Aveling Barford tractor shovel 43b all over yellow with thin axle braces
6 Opel Diplomat 36c with black engine

Happy Collecting

Sebastian

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Very nice selection all looking to be in excellent condition. Silver-grey #44B Phantom V is always a nice addition to any collection and the Opel with black engine is a hard one to find.

Ghosthunter.

[johnboy]

Another nice selection of finds, I like the Aveling Barford. I think it's a bit underrated as a model but I always look out for the rarer colour schemes.

[DrJeep]

More lovely models - I especially like the two early Mercedes.

...the Opel with black engine is a hard one to find.

The grey engine is hard to find - black is unlisted, as far as I know. Tell us more! Is there anything else special about this one?

[Tinman]

That tractor shovel is a beauty! The rest are too, but love the Shovel.

[nearlymint]

Some really good additions to your collection, not sure I have ever come across a black engine on the 36. Thanks for adding. J