smudger wrote:......I ended up buying the majority of them, my question is, have I done the right thing? They are all in fantastic condition (Mint or Near Mint in my humble opinion) less 5 - 10 of them. ......
In short, I want to check with those in the know if I have done the right thing?
Welcome to the forum Smudger and congratulations on your find….. and yes you have done the right thing by acquiring this lot for so many reasons.
One of the significant aspects of what you have acquired is the pairing of the boxes to the models. As you have said it looks like some may not have been out of the boxes until now.
For me it would be important to keep the model and the box as you unpacked them together. Easily achieved by putting each model and box in another container together especially while you research variations.
The importance of this is you can see timelines emerging where either the same model may be in a different box (eg 49a Half track carrier I can see two box types) and this pairing is how they left the factory. ( or the same box has different models)
If you look at your 15a Diamond T models you will see different boxes that also may pair with different axle types ie flat head versus dome and a great example of timeline here. Love the varying degree of hand applied silver trim on these models, so crisp and fresh.
With respect to the variation table of the 6c. This is one model where the table has yet to be perfected by any of the major written catalogues as there are some variations that do not exist but have been included and others are out of sequence.
The 6c with the white hydro sleeve in theory were all paired with the D box with new model on end flap. (although they have over time appeared in every box post factory) One of your boxes shows no new model on end flap. Are they all the same and are the models all the same?
If you can please turn all your 6c models over and take a photo of the base this would be a photo of interest.
I would also be keen to see a close-up of the side and base of the two 73a RAF Refueller models and boxes please.
While you have your camera handy and if you are under Covid-19 stay at home circumstances a photo of the 55a D.U.K.W small end axle side as apposed to the dome end would be handy.
Some quick observations…..
64a hook variations and box variations
49a at least three box types
20a ERF look early- check for no brace behind cab
To help you identify boxes have a look here at this box resource as you may just have something to add to
Pat's wonderful educational site.
You will have also noted at the bottom of Nick’s variation pages he lists box types that came with models.
Have fun with this, it truly is another great find where these models and boxes have clearly been stored in the perfect environment. Evident especially with the rubber tracks on the 49a which you will probably find are still soft and pliable.
When checking the codes don’t forget to visit the
missing- unlisted variation threads on the forum for each model as any new finding don’t appear in the current variation tables.
Thank you for sharing with some really enjoyable photos.
Bert