As mentioned in a previous thread I have embarked upon a journey of SuperKing collecting, specifically the 1970s UK trucks. As there seems to be very little either online or in print on SuperKings generally I'm going to share my findings here, just to see if there is any more interest out there. Please note that I've only been collecting for around a month so there aren't that many models in my hand yet, and any observations I've made are based on what I've won (and lost) on ebay in this short time. Please feel free to correct the many assumptions I've made and add photos and observations of your own
I made a decision to start with 3 of the the Scammell Crusader artics - the K17/2 Container Truck, the K23/2 Low Loader and the K33/2 Cargo Hauler. I know that there is a 4th, the K106/2 Aircraft Transporter but it is a bit too plastic for my tastes so I'm ignoring it for now! As a kid I had a K17 and a K23, and my brother had a K23 and a K33 so they bring back childhood memories. Added to this, the 1:1 Crusader was a fantastic truck (RR engines if you're reading this GHOSTY) and there's a YouTube video of one blasting around Dover that I'm a bit addicted to..... In addition to these 4 varieties there seems to be a huge number of ebay sellers mating Tipper and Tanker trailers from K16 and K18 Ford LTS artics to Scammell tractor units, some of them more honestly than others (MIB Scammell Unit with Esso tanker trailer for only 30 quid anyone....)
Back to the point - the K17/2 was issued with several different containers over it's life - Gentransco, Penguin, 7-Up, two different DBP types and a Ginny Vogue Dolls one. So far I have a few of the first two, the 7-Up is pretty common and will doubtless be next. I have seen examples of both DBP types on ebay but so far they are a bit out of my price range. Having just read the Matchbox 40 Years book I now know why I've not been able to find even a picture of the Ginny Vogue containers - there were only 250 made to commemorate Lesney's purchase of the Ginny Vogue Dolls brand. Somehow I think I may be waiting a while for that one
GENTRANSCO Containers
I think these were the first container type, used from when the model was introduced in 1974. I made a bit of a mistake when I started off by purchasing odd assemblies of Tractor, Trailer and Containers so I've kind of nearly got 3 sets.
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As far as I am aware all 'Gentransco' tractors are finished in this metallic red. I have seen a black-grilled version which I assume to be from the late end of production but all mine are yellow. I was rather confused when I got my first one this time around as it had clear windows and I could have sworn my childhood one had green tinted windows. I went back on ebay and could only find clear windowed units. By now assuming my memory was crap I have now seen a green windowed version on ebay so maybe I was right after all!
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The main casting difference I have found so far is at the back. The middle unit here has a ramp under the trailer clip whereas the other 2 do not. The yellow clips are less common than the black ones but not that rare.
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This coincides with an alteration to the trailer pins - the only casting difference I've found on them. The earlier pins have a large foot at the end of the pin and will not fit tractors with the ramp. Later pins have no foot and will actually fit both tractor types. I assume this means the trailer was altered first? I don't have a red trailer with footless pin yet but they must exist as I have a red tractor with the ramp.
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I should have mentioned that the 'Gentransco' trailers are all gloss red, most have black jockey wheel brackets but I have a yellow one too.
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Other colour differences can be found on the tractor back axle clips. I don't know if this is coincidence but the black one is on the tractor with the ramp. They can obviously be fitted either way around as well!
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Containers next - White seems most common, with the light yellow quite plentiful too. The orangy one was pure luck on my part. It's from my only boxed 'Gentransco' set and I thought they were just the light yellow photographed under a strip light or something. I haven't seen any others and have no idea how common they are.
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Finally, the box. The cellophane front is very fragile which doesn't bother me in the least, because there is some proper Lesney artwork on the back. This is the first type of box, showing a Crusader going full pelt! I wonder if the wheels were originally intended to be as shown, and if so - do any exist
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Penguin Containers
The Penguin biscuit was considered a bit of a treat in our house back in the day, and would certainly be a household name in the UK and far more recognisable to kids than 'Gentransco'. I've no idea when these were introduced, or if they replaced 'Gentransco' or were produced at the same time.
I have 2 sets, there is little difference between the two - just the tractor roof. I do also have a dark blue container trailer which I think belongs with a further, darker blue tractor and 'Penguin' containers
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The containers have smooth rather than ribbed sides and seem to be extremely prone to fading. Although there is a visible difference between the roofs on my 2 sets I'm reluctant to call this a variation until I've collected a few more.
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Finally (at last) the box. The picture has been changed by now, and is a bit boring compared to the earlier 'speedy' box. The wheels are now right but it still has 'Gentransco' containers....
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