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YYS4BOB wrote:This is a proper preproduction model with incomplete base plate detail. It is probably the most common preproduction example of this model. Most auctions of YY's have one.

Thank you for the comment. I would think that the blue and grey model shown in the pic below is probably the most common "pre-pro" around, or at least the collectors in the U.S. would be led to believe as most of us obtained these in the day. We also found this in the same collection.

This is a colour trial, not a preproduction item. There must have been several hundred of these made, as pop up on a regular basis.

Bob
if they had been done to test how the plastic performed then it would be on the earlier tan models, not late issue ones. The problem you have here is that at this stage of MoY production everyone in the factory knew the value of a real issue model and one that was different being described as 'prepro' Having bills and mortgages to pay most jumped on the band wagon and produced their own little runs - this was common practice at this time with probably R&D being the worst offenders. You could stand at the factory gates and almost order what you wanted it was that bad, you could even get them delivered if you wanted. So we get the famous 'FRIDAY' range added to production - hide a few red models from the previous run and stick them on the belt when the next design goes through so we get a previous red model with the logo meant for a yellow model - it was endless and big money was made. I'm sorry but I don't ever buy this type of model as it is just to dubious to me and when I used to see the swapmeets flooded with them I used to just shake my head and thats part of the reason why MoY are at the price they are today