MATCHBOX REGULAR WHEELS - FORD GRIT SPREADER

The final release for 1965 was a red and yellow Grit-Spreader on the new Ford D series chassis. It featured a realistic gritting rear tab pull and included a plated grille and tinted windows. It was the second model to fill the No.70 slot.

Most releases had a pale yellow container but a few later models were painted in bright yellow. Axle supports were originally thin but these were later strengthened. At least two moulds were used, since the text may be found positioned high and low.--Model Collector

SIKU 1/55 MEGA LIFTER

Siku is a quality heavy duty mobile crane. The end of 1999 saw the release of the Siku Mega Lifter in 1/55th scale. This quite remarkable toy would be something for any child to cherish, as it is, it is a quality model and a worthy addition to any collection.

The three stage telescopic boom extends to 97cm which makes this particular crane one of Siku's largest to date. With lockable rams and manual winding of the cable are among many of the working features.

The operator cab extends outwards for better vision swivelling through 360 degrees with the boom. The lorry chassis has been used before on other model mobile cranes, which features extendible outriggers with levelling feet. Overall an excellent model from Siku. Buy it now

MATCHBOX: WEATHERILL HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR

Construction vehicles always featured strongly in the ‘1-75’ range and the Weatherill Hydraulic Excavator (24a), in its two forms, remained for eleven years. It appear either with an orange-yellow or a plain yellow body, with a ‘Weatherill Hydraulic’ rear decal. The bucket could be raised or lowered. This model was the first to include model numbers cast on to the metal wheels and also the first model to have its number cast on the base. This numbering technique occurred because it was part of a ‘family mould’. In the manufacturing process a body, base and wheels would all be derived from one small mould. When plastic wheels were introduced in 1958-59, these could all be of a common type, and it was no longer necessary to number the wheels. Although most models were fitted with the appropriate wheels, there were inevitably some mistakes. Perhaps the most odd detail was that a model numbered as 24 was fitted with wheels which had ‘23’ cast upon them.

MATCHBOX: EUCLID QUARRY TRUCK

In August a 6-wheel Euclid Quarry Truck (6c) replaced the earlier version. In fact, the model looked as though it had ten wheels but the heavy duty rear wheels were of a single moulding. Later ten individual wheels were fitted. All were of black plastic though there are variations in design, particularly with the front wheels.

The tipper could be fixed in any position. The model was originally decorated with silver trim but this was dropped before the model’s of minor casting variations with this truck affecting the body, chassis and base.

MATCHBOX: THE AVELING BARFORD ROAD ROLLER

The first miniature model was the Aveling Barford Road Roller. It may be distinguished from the three subsequent Road Rollers by its full length canopy. This first Road Rollers was descended from the early Lesney toy which had its own origins in the Dinky model already available at this time. In 1958; Lesney enlarged the size of the model and box. The third version of the Aveling Barford Road Roller (1c) was painted either with a light or a dark green body. The rollers continued to be red metal but the towing hook of the preceding models was replaced by a flat towbar.

SIKU 1/50 TEREX BACKHOE

Siku are primarily a toy manufacturer, but over recent years they have made in-roads into the low-end collector market. The company's scaled construction equipment now fits in with the world's standard scale of 1:50. Back Hoe Loader- Quality die cast product that uses a wide square tilting bucket on the end of movable arms to lift and move material and an extending excavation arm on opposite side. This durable Siku item has moving parts and is part of Europe's #1 line of die cast vehicles. The German engineering quality shows in the details and strength of this product. The wheels are welded to the axles & tires made of plastic for long lasting play on the construction site! This toy has some excellent graphics and is fully poseable. See more.

ERTL 1/50 JOHN DEERE 200C LC EXCAVATOR

John Deere plant and constructtion machinery is rarely seen in the UK but very popular in America. With RC2 being a US toy/ model company, they have held the John Deere license for many years. This particular tacked excavator is good value for money, with individually linked tracks, detailed running gear and plastic hydraulic hoses.

NOSCOTT'S CAT 980G WHEEL LOADER

This Caterpillar 980G Wheel Loader has wheels that roll with authentic tire tread design, a working rock bucket that scoops and dumps, a boom that raises and lowers, detailed cab interior, and realistically moulded guard rails and ladders. See more.

NORSCOT'S CAT 924G VERSALINK WHEEL LOADER

The world of heavy plant and machinery is one of ever growing fascination, from simple for lift trucks right up to mammoth earth mover. Thankfully diecast manufactures such as Norscott have superb ranges of these types of vehicles to satisfy the huge interest in diecast replicas of these hard working giants. Here is a flavour of the Norscot 1:50 scale ‘Caterpillar’ range.

This Caterpillar 924G VersaLink Wheel Loader has a single-piece boom-style lift arm with interchangeable work tools including bucket. It comes with a series of work tools, as per the real machine. See more.

CORGI - PRIESTMAN CUP SHOVEL

Diecast Car Corgi No.1128A - Priestman Cup Shovel produced by The Mettoy Co. Ltd. in England since 1963-1976. It is 16.6 cm in length (when extended as far to get the shaft) to 6.2 cm wide.

Priestman Brother Ltd. is a manufacturer of heavy machinery, very old and famous of England. Established since 1915 by William Dent Priestman. He is the first one who had designed the locomotive engine by using engine oil. Hull is the first facility in the UK. In the picture (white - black) is the first lap the car of Priestman.

This is a lap car models manufactured in the decade to 1980 which continues to shape the manner similar to knee-generation car in 1960, which brought Corgi number 1128A diecast production car in 1963.

Priestman Cup Shovel diecast cars have body parts on the control room and orange, yellow bottom of the drive, stick cast metal scoop bulge "Priestman" gray, from black rubber rhythmic metal wheels, spin button control to get the shaft metal. Time this button clockwise rotation, the shaft will get the work order to draw material from, bottom lid tray. In closed position, the shaft knee raise. When lifting tray top - bottom tray lid is opened only to material. Cycle and start again.

Corgi No.1128 production car lap out are 2 version plastic and rubber carterpillars. Heavy equation is actually diecast car.

CATERPILLAR D11R CARRYDOZER TRACK TYPE TRACTOR

Add this earth-moving die-cast model Track-Type Tractor to your collection and replicate a construction site. The detailed 9-inch, 1:50 scale, black-and-gold tractor has a tilting dozer blade; stretchy, removable caterpillar tracks; a mobile ripper; various bars and handles; textured surfaces; exhaust stacks; and rotating cogged wheels above four base wheels. Transparent plastic windows offer interior views of the cab complete with levers and driver's seat. The heavy metal frame makes this vehicle tough to topple. But with its small, potentially finger-pinching moving parts --Kathryn Gustafson

CLASSIC COBSTRUCTION MODELS - CATERPILLAR 777D OFF-HIGHWAY TRUCK

Here is Caterpillar Classic Collection, the Caterpillar 777D Off-Highway Truck in 1/87 scale. At with all other models in the set, this piece is of museum quality and demonstrates the highest level of Model building art. Hand assembled and hand painted in authentic Caterpillar colors and markings the 777D features a detailed cab, twin body hoists to raise and lower the dump box and features authentic rubber tyres.

DINKY TOYS : COLES MOBILE CRANE

Dinky Toys No 571 Coles Mobile Crane issued in December 1949, renumbered 971 in 1954-55, and in production until 1965. This Supertoys model has a swivelling body and a fully-operating crane controlled by a crane-handle. This is an earlier version, with grey rubber tyres and a brass handle to its crank; another version has black tyres and a plastic handle.

EUCLID DUMPER

Corgi No.42 Euclid Dumper

For the heaviest work on the most uneven sites, the Dump Truck is the answer to the civil engineer's problem. Built somewhat on the lines of a military vehicle that is intended to used off the road, the dumper has very deep chassis members, a Diesel engine developing at lease 120 h.p. and a 5 - or 6 speed gearbox to give flexibility under load. The all-steel tipper body is specially shaped to load and unload rapidly, rectangular bodies tend to retain a small but significant part of a difficult loads, such as wet sand. The dump truck driver is protected from debris during loading by a robust plate extending from the body over the cab.

From : Cogi Junior Collectors Album