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Question:

In the 1965 catalogue this model was still listed with metal wheels.
However that's a more difficult version to find then the model with red plastic wheels.
I have seen many models in the D boxes with red wheels and the models I have seen in E boxes have red wheels.

Am I right that the red plastic wheels were introduced for mist of the Kingsize models during 1965 and that the catalogue shows artist drawings which were made earlier ?

When you look into the Kingsize section in 1966 catalogues you can see that quite a few of the Kingsize models have the red plastic wheels.

Would be interested to read your comments on this.

marcel

Hi Marcel,

Here is some information that may help addressing your inquiry:

K12A Foden Heavy Breakdown Wreck truck was seen for the first time with red hubs in the 1966 catalog.
K12A Foden Wrecker with metal wheels is found in boxes type C & D while the ones with red wheels are found in boxes type C, D, & E.
You are correct, the variation with metal wheels is the harder one to find especially in good condition (issued in 1963).

Another model that followed more or less the same pattern as the K12A was the K5A Foden Tipper truck although it was issued a couple of years earlier.

In the meantime K13A ReadyMix Concrete truck was shown for the first time with red wheels in the 1967 catalog, It was originally issued
in metal wheels in 1963.

Charlie

While on the subject of the K-12 Breakdown truck, has anyone seen one with the decals/labels like the one pictured in this 1963 Catalog? I found this the other day while looking at Catalogs online.

Bob

How about the K11 Tractor & Trailer with those silver wheels?

Charliep,
I noticed that the K-11 Tractor is missing the decal on the hood also.

Bob

I like this model. It seems so old fashioned. I’ve done a Code 3 of this model, rusted it up and using a proper chain, plus oil spills, dents and dirt.

Any chance of a photo?

Thanks

Sebastian

I never understood he timeline for the "Mickey Mouse Ears" on the roof header board. Years ago we were told it was an earlier issue, but that doesn't make sense due to the red wheels. Is it safe to say that the Mickey Mouse ears (header lights) were added later on to the casting then removed again, all during the red plastic wheel era?

The header board with the lights is a separate cast part that is mounted on the cab roof. The header board without the lights is part of the roof/body casting.  The casting using the separate header board came first and the modification to the mold produced the header board without the lights. Like so many things out of the time line, later wheels on an early casting is probably due to older castings being used up and assembled with newer wheels.

It would not have made economic sense to first have a casting that included the cab board to then later change it to something that involved extra expense in fitting it at a later stage. It’s interesting that some major/kingsize models have very few casting changes and others have loads.