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

I have checked my M1a Earth Scrapers. There are mentioned 2 variations, with dome head crimped axles and with dome head riveted axles. I have one model with silver trim and painted driver (similar to 8a Caterpillar). The model could be superdatiled, but because 8a and M1a were produced almost at the same time, it is possible that the model with silver trim can be genuine. What is your opinion?
Antonin

That silver trim looks too shiny for Lesney trim.

No - unfortunately that wasn't applied by Lesney

On my photo the trim seems to be too much shiny, that´s true, but it depends on illumination. I took some photos with next Major Pack M2a with the silver trim (with different angle of illumination). If you compare the trim on both models, they are the same, even if I check the structure and the granularity of the trims, both are the same or very similar.
Antonin

Is there any trim on the scraper (i.e. trailer) or is it only on the tractor unit?

The m1a is a nice model but even with those fancy wheels I can understand an attempt to lift it's appearance a little. I have seen a detailed model before but it was so long ago that I can't remember how authentic it looked. It does however seems plausible to me, does yours have crimped axles Antonin?

btw here's an old picture showing some colour differences of the orange/yellow.

Idris wrote:Is there any trim on the scraper (i.e. trailer) or is it only on the tractor unit?

No, only on the front bumper & grill.
Antonin

johnboy wrote:The m1a is a nice model but even with those fancy wheels I can understand an attempt to lift it's appearance a little. I have seen a detailed model before but it was so long ago that I can't remember how authentic it looked. It does however seems plausible to me, does yours have crimped axles Antonin?

btw here's an old picture showing some colour differences of the orange/yellow.

I agree with you John, the model without any trim or decals is a little bit boring. Perhaps there was an attempt to make the models more "fancy", but it was soon rejected because of production costs. It was the very first model in the new production line and perhaps it should not be killed with high prices. Do you remember the prices of the standard models and Major Packs? How big was the difference? (It has crimped axles).
Antonin

Looking at the 'head on' photograph again, I've noticed that the radiator grille appears to have been painted very precisely, with nothing on the yellow surround. Even for Lesney's highly skilled and experienced trimming ladies, I'm wodering if that degree of accuracy is credible when trimming a whole batch of models.

Idris wrote:Looking at the 'head on' photograph again, I've noticed that the radiator grille appears to have been painted very precisely, with nothing on the yellow surround. Even for Lesney's highly skilled and experienced trimming ladies, I'm wodering if that degree of accuracy is credible when trimming a whole batch of models.

I do not think, that the silver trim is very precise. I am enclosing more detailed photos.
A.