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Thankyou for that info. I was unaware how easy it was to pop a base apart. I don't understand how it gets put back together but no need to show it. I will take your word for it. disassembly is the only way this could have been painted. I have compared the color to my collection and it does not match any other color on any model I have. It is a later casting also.

Thanks again for the discussion. I learned a bunch.

numi wrote:I had this pic saved from Befora.
numi

Heres my colour trial and a base photo,if you look carefully you will see that the saved picture is of Tims green colour trial,the two green grit trucks my colour trial 8 wheel crane,and i think another 4 prepros were all found from the same source.

Thank You Very Much Mokosex! Even though the model at Nick's variation site appeared to have a much lighter bed color to me, I now can see the green cab pre-pros were done with a 'stock bed color' because of both your and Numi's excellent comparison photos.
Well Mark, your model with it's 40A rear bed color on it's grit box is quite interesting, but I guess just like several models I have bought over the years, it is a toss-up between that 'Special Shelve' (I also have), and displaying it proudly in your main collection. Just as you have already mentioned, it is a model to excite any collector when seen, but everyone has differing opinions of it based on what a 'Perfect Factory Lesney' would look like in their opinions. In our collection I found another used Grit Spreader variation with a very loose rear rivet, but looking much more round and factory. The entire Grit body is loose on our model, and the plastic rear pull has the same exact damage as yours. The discussion of your Model has given us an opportunity for Joe to enlighten us with a bit of his experience, so maybe even kwakers will check odd models with a different set of eyes from now on. We all can be taken back to school when we are paying attention......

Idris wrote:What is interesting in the above is that Tinman's example has no paint to the underside of the hopper whereas Mark's does, even down to the rivets. is there a clue here?

I think so. Notice all the other pre-pro models are different than the one in discussion.

Well stated, and well taken, Tinman. I was told by a dealer friend of mine years ago- before he passed on- that just about any collection with more than a few rarities or HTF units- has a fake or two. I met him at a show, and bought a few models. Then I went to his house and saw his collection. I was a beginner, and could not believe his basement. wall to wall-floor to ceiling toys. Neil Waldman was his name. After he passed, his wife was selling off his stock and his collection. According to a few collectors out there, there were a few fakes mixed in. I like to think he didnt know, or that they were fillers and those selling off the models could not tell- but the fakes are out there. Here to stay, too.