3a Cement Mixer

[johnboy]

There's quite a colour variation between these two, one is skyblue and the other is more grey/blue. Both colours are consistent all over.

[Diecast]

Hi John
nice contribution, I have similar colour variation by 3a Cement Mixer.
Antonin

[kwakers]

In 1971, Bob Brennen had all his 3A Mixers listed as blue except for one. That variation was listed as being painted in light blue, and it had the early body casting with the handle on the motor, and also had the four paddles inside the barrel. My next question to both John and Antonin is naturally this: Do your lighter blue variations have the handle on the motor compartment just as Bob noted 42 years ago??
As a note, another interesting variation that he listed was a 3A with gray metal wheels, but it was not in his collection at that time. A possible pre-production? He did not list whether it had painted gray metal wheels or simply was fitted with bare metal wheels. I have never seen or heard of one like it since he published this one in his early guide......... kwakers

[Idris]

As a note, another interesting variation that he listed was a 3A with gray metal wheels, but it was not in his collection at that time. A possible pre-production? He did not list whether it had painted gray metal wheels or simply was fitted with bare metal wheels.......... kwakers

Without more inforation about the nature of the wheels concerned, we cannot draw any hard and fast conclusions. However, in the absence of more detailed information, I would be tempted to conclude that he was referring to unpainted standard 3a wheels, in which case it could simply be an error piece. The reason I say this is that we know that at least one true 3a preproduction still exists, but it is painted green (and I can't remember for the life of me what colour the wheels are).

[Tinman]

Speculation about the wheels may have been the inspiration for the fake 3a that had been equipped with metal wheels from a 24a. Such a model was recently offered for sale by Alan Wank.

[johnboy]

In 1971, Bob Brennen had all his 3A Mixers listed as blue except for one. That variation was listed as being painted in light blue, and it had the early body casting with the handle on the motor, and also had the four paddles inside the barrel. My next question to both John and Antonin is naturally this: Do your lighter blue variations have the handle on the motor compartment just as Bob noted 42 years ago?? ......... kwakers

Hi Dick, the grey/blue dull model on the left of my photo is a nj code 10 (no handle) and the model on the right has a handle, albeit incomplete, and is a nj code 2.

[Diecast]

Hi Dick
I have checked my 3a Cement Mixer. I have one model in lighter blue with GPW and several models with orange metal wheels and the handle.
Antonin

[Tinman]

Speculation about the wheels may have been the inspiration for the fake 3a that had been equipped with metal wheels from a 24a. Such a model was recently offered for sale by Alan Wank.

After thinking about this one for a minute, I guess the wheels were first used on the 2a (and later on the 24a).

[kwakers]

Did you get to see the crimped axle end pictured on Alan's at all Joe? It in fact may have been a hand done trial like those 23B glazed Caravans with their rough looking crimped ends. This handled version of the Mixer having 24A wheels seemed out of timeline to both of us, but you are right on the 2As use of this same wheel. That would make this wheel combination on the Mixer not only a possibility, but almost certainly support it's existence in the collector community because of Bob's having cataloged it in 1971. He did not have one, but the one he listed was definately blue. If that green pre-pro Mixer Idris mentioned could be found and checked today, it may in fact have this style wheel used on it for all we know. Because the Mixers are not seen at all with this style wheel on them, a possible pre-production trial on the first castings would be my guess over an early run of them sent to stores. Certainly others would exist if they were sent to distributors, but probably be in Europe and not in the U.S.A. (like all early odd colored RARE Mokos found in Demark and surrounding areas). Thanks for the info on Alan's Toy Joe, I had completely missed that one. Maybe not so Fake after all????? kwakers

[Tinman]

I forget who/why/when the mixer was decided or commented upon as being fake. At one point, I was under the impression Alan had removed it from his list. If someone wanted more info about it, I'm sure he would remember this model and possibly respond to an email inquiry.