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I am continuing in our discussion from "46b Pickfords 2 line in green" as the new topic. I have mentioned an unlisted variation (perhaps Pre Pro) of the 10c Foden Sugar Container Truck with the crown. It has a lighter blue painting and...

....the front clip tongue is smaller.
Antonin

Does the lighter blue version have a punched baseplate rivet?

Idris wrote:Does the lighter blue version have a punched baseplate rivet?

I am enclosing a photo
A.

That's interesting - it looks like a spun rivet.
If it is a pre-production (as seems likely given the tongue/slot casting difference), Lesney must have started off spinning the baseplate rivets and, on dicovering there was a problem, then went over to punching them until an appropriate engineering solution (i.e.casting variation) could be implemented.
Is the width of the raised section between the model number and the inside face of the front bumper also narrower on the light blue version?

Idris wrote: Is the width of the raised section between the model number and the inside face of the front bumper also narrower on the light blue version?

It is nearly the same, but the difference is under the slot, there is no raised center under the front bumper (similar to cream 46a Morris)
Antonin

Idris wrote: Lesney must have started off spinning the baseplate rivets and, on dicovering there was a problem, then went over to punching them until an appropriate engineering solution (i.e.casting variation) could be implemented.

You're right Hugh, there must have been problems with the front rivet. Early models had the rivet too short and sometimes the base plate fell away from the body.
Antonin

One of my my early model was chisel riveted.
A.

All very, very interesting Antonin.
I was not aware of the step in the front valance (as per 46a), and have just had to go and have a feel of one of my examples in order to convince myself!
Perhaps the punching of the rivet was not, as previously assumed, because spinning exerted too much force on a weak design, but because it enabled a secure connection to be made with the too short rivet pillar? (That certainly makes sense to me. I'm sure the punching action would exert more force than spinning.)

Diecast wrote:I have mentioned an unlisted variation (perhaps Pre Pro) of the 10c Foden Sugar Container Truck with the crown. It has a lighter blue painting and...the front clip tongue is smaller

Since this is my favourite casting, I am pleased to be able to confirm the existence of a second example this variation (having just found one myself) and would suggest that it probably represents, yet again, a very late pre-production model released in small quantities with the initial full-scale production models.