71a Austin Water Truck

[Idris]

The NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (first edition) lists the 11.5 x 45 BPW variations (Nick's codes 5 and 6) as being without trim, whereas the AIM “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) has a blanket statement "...with and without silver-painted bumper and headlights.." covering all variations.
Stannard and Houghton do not list any variations not covered by Nick, whilst U.K. Matchbox did not examine the model.

I do wonder whether a silver-grilled variant might not be out there somewhere (analogous to what we have found on the 68a). Has anyone ever seen one?
It would be interesting to know which variations were issued with the collectors badge (or was this something which continued over the whole lifetime of the model)?

[Taniwha]

Hugh,

I'd always presumed that the 71a came with the badge only while in type B boxes (based on catalogues). Mind you, it never came with a C box and the D box was only a short run, so that could potentially be most of the life of the model...

Cheers,
Gavin

[Diecast]

Just to remember, there is one small variation: no curved tongue by early models, the tongue is flat.
Antonin

[nickjones]

The 71a water tanker page has been updated.
I have added Antonin's earliest baseplate type without the tongue, After examining my own models it seems that the gap below the forward end of the water tank was a gradual flashing over until the gap was no longer open, I did not add it to the variation table but it is mentioned in one of the photo captions.

[nearlymint]

Recently found this slight difference on the right hand side of the model.I have Nicks code 5 and 6 with this brace/extra casting. Also recently added a Nicks code 3 but in gloss paint, very hard to photograph that one.

71a

71a.jpg (53.91 KiB) Viewed 1224 times

71a

71b.jpg (55.51 KiB) Viewed 1224 times

J

[kerbside]

I often thought that may be the Badges were sent to Australia in bulk so that the shop keeper could give one to the purchaser when they bought the 71a model?

The reason being that in 1995 I purchased the 1-75 Military Gift set which had been in store in Sydney from when it was issued as the shop owner had died and his wife closed the shop and took all the stock home,after many years she decided to move to a retirement home.

So she has to down size she asked a friend about these models he bought the lot, and it was from him that I purchased most of them.

Any way when I got them and opened the Gift set it contained eight 8 of these Badges all still brand new. Just a Thought.?

As in the models I got there were 5 #71a models boxed but no badges.

George T.

[Idris]

I do wonder whether a silver-grilled variant might not be out there somewhere (analogous to what we have found on the 68a). Has anyone ever seen one?

One has now surfaced (here).