VBD2 is closed. Please go to https://vbd3.co.uk instead.

Recently acquired this this - one I've had on watch list for years.
I believe it is: Looking at the axle ends does raise a query The rear large hub axle end looks OK yet the front looks poorly formed.
To compare I got out one my regular standard models and had a look and found the axle ends were very similar but this time the poorly formed end was on the rear axle. Comments welcomed

This kind of axle end finish was a big discussion point with the silver wheel Karrier Bantam I posted here

...and are those front tyres original with their flat footprint. The axle-end does look suspicious as well as the front axle looking a bit too long. Is this a favourite model for the fakers, I don't know, but if it was not a lot of Money to buy then worth having just in case.

Ghosthunter.

Hi Rodger,this tractor looks good thus far.The axle ends on most of these fords are never the same and the axle lengths do sometimes differ. Your main focus should be on the rear wheel ends right now.
Please send a clear close-up pic of the rivetted right rear axle-end with a view of the hub hole simultaneously so we can make a determination.
numi

Hi,
in my opinion the hubs and tires look less playworn than the rest of the model.
Stephan

As per request

The axle end looks old and sloppy enough to be factory, has a very nice mushroomed cap on it that is difficult to fake by hand, so I think you have a good one here Tractorboy. I am very surprised the tires are still straight on this one in it's "Used" condition, have they been glued? They are usually too loose to stay on the model by this time in it's life, so most must have a drop or two to display well. The rear tires could be modern new replacements, but those large wheels are the important part of this model. The front wheels look stock, so their poor axle end is of little importance here at all. Congratulations on finding a very nice variation here and sharing it with us.
Good thing your "Stocker" is the common version, it's rear axle would give Numi a heart attack without even blowing up the picture. Perhaps a model done Friday afternoon after lunch at the Pub? LOL kwakers

The Third picture down is my favourite, it shows the inside face of the 'Mushroom' at the end of the axle, has been wearing away the area around the hole on the wheel rim for the axle to protrude, this gives me the... "OK, i'm original"...shout out.

I like 'Kwakers" am quite happy to acknowledge this model as genuine.

Ghosthunter.

Looking good so far.

The tyres are quite tight - looking at the full on shot taken with flash there appears to be traces of something between the tyres & hub.
Wondered about the hub/tyre condition in relation to the model condition - perhaps replacement tyres?
At some point I will get out the lens and do some comparisons with my other models.
The front tyres have a more flattened profile, that Ghosthunter noticed, and are slightly smaller than the standard model.
Tried to find other photos and information of this variation to compare against without much success.

Won't be able to post more photos for a week as I'm off to Nelson for NZ Master's Hockey tournament tomorrow.

When I saw the initial set of photographs, i must admit that I had some doubts. However, having seen the close ups, I would not hesitate to add this model to my collection. (It’s one I’m still looking for.) Well done!
Could I suggest that the unusual profile of the front tyres might be an indication that the model has received replacements all round, hence the rear tyres being tight on the hubs?

I would like to know what other members think about fitting replacement tyres on our models. We do it all the while on real vehicles and think nothing of it, but do it on a model and it is no longer totally original, is that strange or what...

Ghosthunter.