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I've recently spotted that this 54a Saracen personel carrier has 12 x 30 wheels, and not the 12.5 x 30 in Nick's listing. Antonin pointed out that a few other models have the same shouldered wheels. I think the list is:

52a Maserati, issued mid 1958
54a Saracen Personel Carrier, issued 1958
61a Ferret Scout Car, issued 1959
67a Saladin Armoured Car, issued 1959.

A few years ago Yellowfoden pointed out the same variation on the 52a Maserati, with some fabulous pictures that show in great detail that the 12 and 12.5 mm wheels are two different designs. Both Yellowfoden's Maserati and my Saracen have crimped axles. My Saracen is Nick's code 2, so early in production but not the first variation.

I expect to find that this is actually quite common, but rarely checked. It would be really interesting to know which of the others on this list can have the shouldered 12 x 30 wheel, and whether it's confined to some variations or scattered through production. Any thoughts?

For anyone not familiar with the term 'Shoulder', it is the built-in spacer moulded to the inside (inboard) face of the wheel. This is designed to give a pre-determined distance between the wheel and baseplate or chassis component.

Ghosthunter.

I thought I'd make a start at answering my own question, so I bought a few more. First, for £1, the first casting Saracen with the open base at both ends (code 1). 12 mm x 30 wheels on crimped axles.

Another code 2, also with 12 x 30 wheels on crimped axles, and finally a code 3, also with 12 x 30 wheels but this time on rounded axles.

So this means I've so far failed to find the 12.5 x 30 wheels on a Saracen.

In case you're wondering whether I just can't measure properly, I did find the 12.5 x 30 wheels on this 50p Ferret. Code 7 - 3 open tool boxes, short ejector posts front and rear. It's the version where both sides of the baseplate are painted gloss black.