What makes a different casting an accepted variation?

[kwakers]

I agree Christian that Stannard codes D and E bases are very similar to each other, but Nick has eliminated both of these bases in his online Guide. By also eliminating Stannard code B, Nick has completely ignored all of the easily seen rear 90 degree blocks at the rear of this Trailer base both with and without the casting rings on them. These 90 degree blocks start at the side of the Trailer and make a round turn towards the rear of it and fade into the rear. Nick shows only the rear braces that form a 180 degree circle that joins the side of the Trailer in 2 spots, and not the rear of the Trailer body. The complete omission of the 90 degree type of rear casting block is a major error in my opinion, and certainly not an improvement on Mike Stannard's very detailed casting codes and illustrations of them as used on this Trailer base.
I disagree that any of Stannard's codes on this Trailer are hard to see or determine, they are in fact very obvious when held in your hand for a simple casual examination. The casting numbers are small and of the mirror type, not at all easier to see. Future collectors like Miller may constantly wonder why they have different base castings that are now missing from Nick's otherwise very detailed online Guide. In our own collection I now count 8 Trailers coded by Mike Stannard, but ignored when using Nick's current and limited (only 3) base types.
A note for Miller: I have collected Lesneys for 52 years now since 1964, buying out of our U.S. stores as a young lad and also some stock from up in neighboring Canada. Now you can understand firsthand that all Forum members have some of your same questions that have been discussed here at length about a very small number of Nick's codes without any logical conclusions ever having been reached. Maybe none of us can answer these questions, we just smile a lot as we chat..... kwakers