#10, Casting

[GHOSTHUNTER]

You raise (no pun intended!), an interesting point and I had not noticed this before. Your pictures clearly show a definite platform for the description text on the left model but the same thing on the right model has to be seen as an alternative version. This under normal terminology would just be classed as a 'Tooling Inlet' to allow a different model description text to be used without making a whole additional similar base section or in some cases a whole new baseplate.

If I were cataloguing this model and other models with a similar detail, I would use this terminology...

1, No inlet base, (the original first issue model).
2, Level inlet base, (the re-tooled base now with the inlet.
3, Raised inlet base, (the re-tooled base with raised inlet.

Ghosthunter.

[kwakers]

The term inlet is a new one on me Ghosty! I had noticed all of these differences years ago as to the 2 different raised bases as well as a Ghost raised that was clearly outlined but not really raised. The only one easily cataloged was the 'Flat Base', the others are in the eyes of the collector Miller. Different front base dies are probably to blame for these two styles of 'raised'. Nick and Stannard never broke them down any further than raised and smooth, so I never went into finer detail than that for our own collection either. 13 different Pipe Trucks based on number of pipes and casting details seemed like enough detail for anyone's display of this model.......kwakers

[Miller]

Thanks Dick, i guess, i will keep it the way it is. If i follow your advices and the list, there must be white baseplates with Leyland No. 10 on it, so the search continues...

[kwakers]

The white plastic base and grill models came after the 'Leyland No. 10" base had been discontinued, so maybe that is one to keep off your wish list. These white based models all had 'Ergomatic Cab' on their base and the front tow guide like yours. The one in your picture looks like it has the Ergomatic Cab on a flat base, so you can now look for one with those letters on a raised platform.
When these white based models were found mixed in with the chrome based common variations in our stores, boy did we get excited. Most local stores still had lots of the early chrome based versions in stock, so for every 20 models we looked through we might have only found a single white based model mixed in with the latest delivery. Many might think the white grilled models were all shipped together, but we seldom found more than 3 in any single store in our area. They were not really 'Rare', but compared to the 'common' chrome grilled models that are still found mint and boxed at reasonable prices today, in time the white grills have turned out to be in short supply to meet the demand from world wide regular wheel collectors. Thanks for showing yours here Miller, we'll have you adding shelves for all these variations at this rate....LOL
kwakers

[Miller]

As my signature says, Dick: Variations are bad for limited showcases

But now my problems start to "raise" again! As you can see on my photo, my white base has the same not raised platform like the chromed one right hand on my first photo. Its hard to get a good picture, but you can see the brighter line above the Ergomatic.

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The guide for white bases lists

code 7 white plastic with platform and tow guide with axle braces 2.5mm posts
code 8 white plastic no platform with tow guide no axle braces 2.5mm posts
code 9 white plastic no platform with tow guide with axle braces 2.5mm posts

The leyland base is the only one without a platform. Ergomatics always have some kind of platform or frame or whatever you may call it. If there never have been white Leyland No. 10 bases, then the list for white bases would have to be specified better, because the is no base with no platform!!

The list for chrome bases should say

no platform with leyland
flat platform with Ergomatic
raised platform with Ergomatic

A white base should say

flat platform with Ergomatic
raised platform with Ergomatic

Maybe there are better terms to say that, but there is definetly a need to change the description.

[kwakers]

The picture you show is what I referred to as the "Ghost" platform. It may be clearly outlined on other models you find, but not really considered raised for Nick or Stannard's coding standards. It seems strange to call this one flat with that line clearly shown, but for coding we have always pretended and called these outlined text bases "flat"......
Raised platforms are as the two types you have shown us Miller. They were clearly raised at 2 different levels as you have found out and clearly shown everyone here. You are right, the Guide seems a little confusing when the base tow guide and the raised or not raised platforms are written out in a column rather than just using an 'A', 'B', 'C', or a 'D' type base with clear illustrations of each type. BUT, You have got the right idea now, so I just add notes to remember when I find any points like these bases confusing. Believe me, I had bought many Lesney duplicates years ago before I coded with Stannards and began carrying it with me to any show where Toys could be for sale. That penciled in book has helped me expand our collection, and also continues to amaze most vendors and veteran collectors alike when they see all the minute changes we can find on our favorite Lesneys. I give Thanks to both Nick and this group of Forum collectors for sharing their knowledge, and for giving everyone some FREE education on all Diecast Toys, not just my favorite Lesneys. kwakers