Story and question on the 71a Austin 200 gallon water tanker

[Brad Pittiful]

the story

way back a few years i won a small lot of models that had a few of the army trucks in it...one that wasnt there was the 71a austin 200 gallon water tanker...later i found one in great condition with fine tread wheels and the auction ended and i missed it...i then found a cheap beater with kpw and kept searching for the fine tread model

a couple months ago i found one and won it...i was the only bidder and it was very cheap...so the mail came and i opened the package and found a kpw model in the package...i emailed the seller and they told me there were two 71a models they were selling and the other buyer was sent the fine tread model by mistake...im like...this sucks...the seller refunded my money and told me to keep the model...i was like...ok thats very nice and moved on...im still searching for the fine tread model...ill find one someday...not worried about it ...one other bonus is...its a different variation knobby wheel model to the other one i had...so even better

the question

i cant figger out the model with no tongue and with tongue...what am i missing...does anyone have a different pic than the one on nicks variation guide or explain to me what the no tongue model looks like

[nickjones]

Hi Dan.
The tongue is fitted to the inner end of the baseplate, Being that the baseplate is very short when compared to others and it only has one rivet holding it on it needed the tongue to help secure the baseplate, The tongue slots through the back of the cab and exits below the spare wheel, early models had a straight rearmost edge to the end of the tongue, This was later changed to a rounded tongue which was more than likely altered to make assembly easier. The different tongues can't be seen by turning the model over but if you look below the spare wheel where the tongue exits the cab you will be able to see the difference, If I remember correctly Antonin originally pointed out this variation.

[Brad Pittiful]

thanks Nick...i see it now...thanks for clearing that up!

[kwakers]

The fine tread 71A is the rarest of these Water Tankers to find Dan, they apparently were only produced towards the end of production for a very short time before this casting was discontinued in Jan. of 1964. We were never able to find any fine tread models in our stores' old stock in 1965 or since, so stocks of the earlier Knobby tread versions were still there when the new Jeep Gladiators arrived to replace them. I do not have an example of the fine BPW version either, so I really can relate to your losing one you have worked so hard to find.
It was nice of the Seller to return your $$ Dan, but I hope they were honest in not seeing or knowing the difference between the two style wheels. I found a BIN on Ebay of the 30C Crane without rear brace which as in your case was also for sale cheap. The Seller shipped a Mint model WITH rear brace, but did still have the other near-mint braceless model to send me when I caught the error. I made a point to send her the first one back at my expense so she could then resell it with the proper base picture listing she already had. Both models 'looked' the same to a non-collector like her, so I hope your Seller was just as honest with his 'mistake' Dan. These things can happen, but why on a tough model you have waited so long for? kwakers

[Brad Pittiful]

hi Dick
thanks for adding some info that i didnt know...and im not happy to say...other people won an item from a seller and got that model but not the variation you bid on and won...while getting a bargain from unknowing sellers we face that risk of them just picking up a model of many they are selling and not knowing what variation they are sending us

[GHOSTHUNTER]

This is something we all need to be aware of.

I saw a model on ebay which had it's very First issue box, the model was not important. I messaged the seller explaining the early box and that he must sell me the model pictured, not another model I know he had of the same type. He obliged and I got my nice early box. Having later checked the model as well, it was correct for the box and has been inside since brand new from factory.

Ghosthunter.

[kerbside]

Hello Dan I have the Fine tread BPW 11.5 x 45 but the spare wheel behind the cab 11 x 24 BPW. Another model that is not to easy to find is the 63a with 11 x 36 BPW.

It seems most of the military models with the fine tread are harder to find.



George T.

[Tinman]

Like the water truck, I've seen the 15b Atlantic Tractor with different tread on the spare from that of the axles (and the spare can be different diameters).

[Brad Pittiful]

nice pic George...never saw the 63a with fine tread!

[kerbside]

Hello Dan I got this 63a FPW model in a swap from a guy from New Zealand who was on holiday in Perth Aus.

I have not seen one of these before or after for that matter, I am always looking as my collector friend needs one.

He did live in England as teen ager as it was the last issue I would not have thought they were sent to New Zealand.

George T.