The Dinky Leyland Cement Wagon Supplied in a blue striped box marked Dinky Toys 933 this model also sold as No533 but the Chassis was marked 419. renumbered 419 in Feb 55, in April 57 it cost 6/6 but in April 58 it was only 5/11. Last in August 58 catalogue. Still in Australia in August 59 at 11/3.Cost 5/6 available in yellow finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Foden Diesel 8 Wheel Wagon This is the Early version of the Foden chassis with a rectangular radiator grille. Produced from 1947 to 1952. The body also used for no 934. Earliest chassis were not fitted with a tow hook. The Violet blue cab/chassis, mid blue flash/back/hubs and small hook model shown is rare. available in maroon, violet blue, red grey finish at 1:48 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Foden Diesel Eight Wheel Wagon This is a later version Foden with the fancy radiator grille. Produced from 1947 to 1952 then to 1960 with the later style cab. available in blue & blue, red & fawn finish at 1:48 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Foden Flat Truck Made from 1947 and renumbered 902 in 1954. This is the early version of the Foden chassis with the rectangular grille.Cost 6/9 available in orange & green,blue & red, green& black, 2 tone bl finish at 1:43 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Foden 14-Ton Tanker This is the first version before renumbering. It was renumbered in early 1954 the price increased to 8/9 it remained in production for another year.Cost 8/3 available in Red finish at 1:43 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Foden Flat Truck with Chains Made from 1952 renumbered No.905 in 1954. available in green, maroon finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Guy 4 Ton Lorry Released October 1947 with a price of 7/-. Renumbered 911 in January 1954 with its price then being 5/6. Renumbered 431 in March 1955, production terminated in late 1957. The rear axle is retained with tin plate clips.Cost 7/- available in 2 tone blue, red, green & black, red & grey finish at 1:44 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Guy Flat truck Produced from October 1947 renumbered to 912 in 1954 and 432 in 1956. deleted in 1958. The rear axle is located with cast in lugs. available in blue/orange, orange/green, red/blue, yellow finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Guy Flat Truck with Tailboard A Guy Otter. Produced from October 1947 with first type cab and renumbered in 1954 to 913 (second type cab) and then to 433 in 1956. Deleted in 1958.Cost 6/9 available in green/green, blue/orange, yellow finish at 1:43 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Guy Van Lyons Swiss Rolls .Cost 6/10 at 1:43 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Guy Van Weetabix . available in yellow finish at 1:43 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Guy Van 'Spratts' Renumbered to 918. available in red/cream finish at 1:43 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Guy Van 'Slumberland' Released in December 1949 replaced by a variant marked Lyons Swiss Rolls in November 1951 when the price was 6/10.Cost 5/11 available in red finish at 1:43 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Bedford Articulated Lorry Released in red/black and yellow/black in April 1948 at a price of 7/6. The red version was deleted by the beginning of 1949. Sales number changed to 921 in July 1953, and then it was "down-graded" to Dinky Toys in 1955 and re-numbered 409. Windows were introduced in 1960 and its last catalogue appearance was in 1960. The model was initially sold in a plain utility box, which was replaced in 1949 with a green covered box, and then a blue covered box in 1950, and then when renumbered 921 it was given the familiar blue striped box. In 1955 the box changed again to yellow lidded. Examples of the major boxes in use are shown. The main trailer body casting appears to be the same as No.551. Cost 7/6 available in yellow finish at 1:43 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Leyland Comet Produced from 1949 to 1959. Renumbered to 913 in 1948 also to No 417 in 1956. As can be seen from the pictures this truck was fitted with at least two types of wheels. available in blue/yellow, red/yellow, yellow/green, blue/brown finish at 1:43 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Leyland Cement Wagon Ferrocrete Released February 1953 priced at 6/-, 15 Apr53 reduced to 5/9 and Sep53 to 5/3. Renumbered 933 in Mar54 with an increase in price to 5/6. See also No933 and 419Cost 6/- available in yellow finish at 1:42 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Trailer Large Made from 1948. and in 1954 renumbered 951. Early versions had ridged hubs and later ones grooved hubs. The body casting appears to be the same as the trailer of No.521.Cost 3/6 available in grey finish at 1:48 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Blaw Knox Bulldozer Introduced in January 1949. Supplied in a blue striped box marked Dinky Toy but the baseplate is stamped Dinky Supertoy. The model has a lever operated blade and rubber tracks renumbered No961 from 1954. Made until 1964.Cost 10/8 available in red, yellow & grey finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Muir-Hill Dumper Truck Introduced in 1948, a driver was fitted to the swiveling seat of the dumper that had a steerable front axle and tipping body. This example was supplied in a blue striped Dinky Supertoys box as No962 from 1954. available in green & brown finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Elevator Loader Introduced in 1952. Featured rubber crank operated belt, movable load hopper and cute This example numbered 964 (from 1954) was supplied in a large blue striped box marked Dinky Toys thought the loading hopper bears the Dinky Supertoys name. available in yellow & blue, blue & yellow finish at 1:50 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Coles Mobile Crane Released in Jan 1950 at 9/11. Renumbered 971 March 1954. The price changed several times:

• June 1955 10/6
• December 1955 10/9
• April 1957 11/6
• May 1959 11/-
• May 1961 12/-
• May 1962 13/-

which was the price until last catalogue appearance in August 65. Remained unchanged throughout life with no plastic parts.Cost 9/11 available in Yellow and Black finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Horse Box British Railways Released in April 1953 opening side & rear doors also renumbered No981 in 1955. Shown in the Jan 1954 Meccano magazine.Cost 13/9 available in maroon finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Pullmore Car Transporter Released in May 1953 at a price of 14/6. The first version is easily identifiable as it has six rivets (three on each side) holding the trailer together. This was soon modified with the centre rivet being deleted and the remainder enlarged. This occurred in about late June, early July 1953. This example No 982 Came in a blue striped Dinky Supertoy box complete with a loading ramp in a sleeve marked 994 Loading Ramp which was marked 794. The model was renumbered 982 in January 1954 and windows were added in early 1961. The Pullmore Car Transporter made its last appearance in the July 1963 catalogue, and was deleted from production by the middle of that year. It also available as part of a set including cars.Cost 14/6 available in light blue, blue finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky 10-Ton Army Wagon A Foden released in May 1954 for 6/9. There were many price changes. In June 1955 7/-, December 1956 7/6, April 1958 6/9. Advertised in the June 1958 issue of Meccano Magazine. In May 1959 6/7, May 1961 7/-, May 1962 7/11 which was the price until its last appearance in the catalogue January 1964. There were two major casting changes, three ridges were added to the roof, and the base inscription was changed from "Dinky Toys" to "Dinky Supertoys". The model can also have a driver or not. Although other models of the period had windows fitted this one never did.Cost 6/9 available in Olive Drab finish at 1:60 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Pressure Refueller Released May 1957 at 7/9. Advertised in the December 1957 Meccano magazine for 7/9. Advertised in the June 1958 issue of Meccano Magazine for 7/9. In May59 7/6 till terminated later that year. The reduction in price may indicate that the model was not very popular, hence its short production period of a little over two years. This model was 5½" long.

Models from 1957-1959 had smooth cabin ceiling & French roundel [= red circle\blue dot] on the front.

Models from 1959-1961 had cross hatched cab’s ceiling & RAF-roundel [= blue circle\ red dot] on the front.

All were sold in the well-known striped boxes.Cost 7/6 available in blue-green finish at 1:60 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Centurion Tank Released April 1954 with a UK price of 7/11. 5 3/4 long. This Tank last appeared in the May 1970 catalogue priced at 12/11 or 64.5p. It was originally packaged in a blue striped box, but this was replaced with a yellow lidded Dinky Toys box in 1956, but by 1957, the box had reverted to blue-striped but now labelled DINKY SUPERTOYS. This box style was then changed to a yellow and black lift-off box with a battle scene occupying half of the lid. The final box, cheaper to produce had end flaps with a battle scene occupying two sides, and by then, it had reverted to being a DINKY TOYS. Last production version contained plastic rollers as a further means of cutting costs.Cost 7/11 available in olive drab finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Mighty Antar Tank Transporter Released June 1956, priced at 17/11. The packaging changed to the familiar blue and white striped Dinky Supertoys box in November 1956. Windows were added towards the end of 1960, by which time the price had dropped to 13/11. After windows were incorporated, the price rose to 14/6. Shown also is the last issue of this famous model. It has windows, and a modified trailer that was re-designed to accommodate the 908 Mighty Antar Transporter with Transformer. The modifications included an additional tab and bar to support the transformer, and tie-down protrusions underneath. Painted military green, the trailer replaced the original in the last year of production, 1964. With the re-designed trailer, it became detacheable from the tractor unit, a feature that was not possible with the earlier issues. The model's last catalogue appearance was in the August 1964 issue when it was priced at 15/6. This was a very popular model as shown by the price decrease over a span of eight years. Based on a Thornycroft vehicle and Sankey semi trailer.

For some years this models page has been the most popular on diecast plus having been viewed over 12,000 times.

Cost 17/11 available in olive drab finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Recovery tractor Length 5¼" released June 1957 available till 1966 fitted with windows from 1961 crank operated hook. Some have a driver and windows and late versions were fitted with the plastic wheel hubs. Based on the Scammell GS 6x6 Explorer built in Watford. Matchbox also produced a model of this Scammell.Cost 9/6 available in green finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Missile Erector with Corporal Missile & Platform Launched in November 1959 and advertised on the back cover of that months Meccano Magazine. The plastic missile could be launched into the air.Cost 28/9 available in olive drab finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Missile Servicing Platform Vehicle released in April 1960 and featured on the back cover of that months Meccano Magazine.Cost 13/6 available in olivedrab finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Medium Artillery Tractor Released in November 1957 and illustrated on the back of that months Meccano Magazine. based on a Leyland 6-wheel drive truck. fitted with a driver and two spare tyres. Its last catalogue appearance was in the August 1965 issue when the price was 9/11 it having risen in July 1963. Although in production for eight years, the Medium Artillery Tractor is not a very common model. This model was 5½" long.Cost 9/- available in olive drab finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Tank Transporter and Tank Introduced as a presentation set in October 1957 it featured No660 Tank Transporter with driver and Centurion tank No 651. Advertised in the September 1958 Meccano Magazine for 25/-.Cost 25/11 available in olive drab finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Leopard Recovery Tank . available in olive drab finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Loading Ramp Ramp for Pullmore Car transporter.Cost 1/6 available in blue finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Foden Diesel Eight-Wheel Wagon Renumbered from 501 in 1954 and produced until 1957. available in red & fawn, Lt Blue & Dk Blue finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Foden Flat Truck In 1993 a similar model to this mint example was sold for 4400 pounds there are however a number of variations that vary in rarity. it was also numbered 502. Advertised in the December 1957 Meccano magazine for 8/6.Cost 7/- available in orange & green finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Foden Flat Truck with Chains Supplied in a blue striped box marked Dinky Toys 905 one end of the box also shows the number 505.The chassis is marked 'Foden Dinky Supertoys'. See also 505.Illustrated in the May 1955 and February 1958 issues of Meccano magazine. In February 1958 it was priced at 9/11. This model was 7⅜" long.Cost 8/9 available in green, maroon, red & grey finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Guy Van Golden Shred This variant was released in June 1957 featuring on the back cover of that months Meccano magazine.Cost 8/9 available in red finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Big Bedford Van Heinz With opening rear doors. Released in December 1955 and shown in the January 1956 issue of Meccano magazine. Supplied in a blue striped Dinky Supertoys box. Chassis also marked Dinky Supertoys. April 58 saw a rare version has a ketchup bottle and text in a different style rather than the bean can on the side. Production ended in 1959. If you have the other version please send some pictures for this page. A similar Guy van was numbered 920.Cost 8/3 available in Red & yellow finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Bedford Pallet Jekta Van 'Dinky Toys' Price when launched in the UK: 14/3 in January 1960, May 1961 the price was increased to 15/6, May 1962 to 16/11 which remained thus until the model was deleted.Cost 14/3 available in Orange and Cream finish at 1:48 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Leyland Octopus Wagon Released April 1956 UK price 8/-, April 1957 and February 1958 the price was 8/11, Advertised in the June 1958 issue of Meccano Magazine. In May 1959 price 8/9, May 1961 price 9/6, then in May 1962 when the colour scheme changed to blue with a lemon band and back, red hubs was priced at 10/6 until it was deleted in late 1963.Cost 8/- available in yellow & green, bue & lemon finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Foden 14 Ton Tanker Regent Launched in June 1955 replacing 941 "Mobilgas". In 1993 a similar model to this was sold for 4830GBP there are however a number of variations that may be very rare. Supplied in a blue striped Dinky Toys box and chassis marked "Foden Dinky Supertoys".Cost 9/6 available in red & blue finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Tractor Trailer McLean The trailer was fitted with opening rear doors. Advertised in the April 1961 Meccano Magazine.Cost 16/6 available in red & grey finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Wayne School Bus Advertised on the back of the February 1961 Meccano Magazine.Cost 12/9 available in orange and red finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Fire Station A kit with windows and red sliding doors and a transparent arched roof. Illustrated on the back cover of the November 1961 Meccano Magazine.Cost 21/-. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Fire Engine Released December 1952 as No555 with a UK price of 9/4. 5½ inches long. January 1953 saw the price drop to 8/3, and again in April to 7/11. By September 1953 the price had again dropped to 7/3. Renumbered 955 in March 1954. June 1955 price increased to 7/6, and again in February 1958 to 7/9, but in January 1959 the price had gone down to 7/6. In 1960, windows were fitted to the model and in May 1961 the price had increased to 8/6, November 1961 8/7, May 1962 to 9/-, but in January 1964 the price had gone down to 8/11. January 1966 an increase to 9/11, July 1966 to 10/1, 1967 10/3, 1968 10/9, and May 1969, the last year that the model appeared in a sales catalogue to 12/6. Also available as part of 957 Fire gift set with 257 and 956. This example was supplied in a blue striped box marked Dinky Supertoys 955. The model featured an extending Ladder and the chassis was marked No555Cost 7/6 available in red finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Berliet Turntable fire escape 7 3/4in long and the ladder extended 14 3/4 in. Shown in Dinky catalogue No 6 May 1970 for 19/11. The previous Bedford version was replaced by this one, the French Berliet 568 renumbered 956 with different wheel hubs and different colours. As follows:- Metallic red with white back, white interior; Metallic red with white back, white interior, "Falck" issue; Red with black back, white interior; Red or metallic red ? with silver back, white interior.Cost 13/6 available in red finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Snow Plough Made from January 1961 to 1966. Supplied in a blue striped Dinky Supertoys box the baseplate is also marked Dinky Supertoys with plastic windows an opening tailgate and movable plough. Length: 7¾“ or 197mm.

Often overlooked is the difference which was made to the colour(s) of the cab front. Because of the snow plough covering much of the front it isn’t immediately obvious, there are models with black on the lower part of the front, like the cab sides, and other models with a yellow only front panel. The top part of all driver cabins is allways black.Cost 12/6 available in yellow & black finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Foden Dump Truck With Bulldozer Blade. Advertised in the October 1961 Meccano Magazine. Based on a Foden FGD6/FED6.Cost 16/3 available in red & silver finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Lorry Mounted Cement Mixer Based on an Albion Chieftain chassis. When in motion the mixer body rotates and cad also be tipped to discharge it's load. Released in August 1960 in a blue striped box retailing at 8/9, Advertised inside the front cover of the July 1961 Meccano Magazine for 9/6. This model was in production until 1968 when it made its last catalogue appearance, priced at 10/9. The box shown below, has a pictorial scene occupying two panels with end flaps, it was the last version produced, and is perhaps the scarcest of all boxes. With rotating mixer drum driven by the rear wheels and plastic windows. The chassis was marked 'Albion Chieftain Dinky Supertoys' the earlier model shown came in a blue striped Dinky Supertoys box.Cost 8/9 available in orange with blue & yellow or grey drum finish at 1:50 scale. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Blaw Knox Bulldozer renumbered No961 from 1954. Prices varied November 1956 - 13/9, April 1957 - 14/9, April 1958 - 14/11. May 1959 - 14/6, May 1961 - 15/-, May 1962 - 16/6, January 1964 - 12/6 till last catalogue appearance in 65. Introduced in January 1949 as No561.

Supplied in a blue striped box marked Dinky Toy but the baseplate is stamped Dinky Supertoy. The model has a lever operated blade and rubber tracks. Plastic version in the last year of production. Striped box marked Dinky Toy baseplate is stamped Dinky Supertoy.Cost 13/- available in red finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Vega Major Swiss Postal Bus Made in 1973 with opening boot and flashing turn indicators. available in yellow finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Muir-Hill Dumper Truck A driver was fitted to the swiveling seat of the dumper that had a stearable front axle and tipping body. This example was supplied in a blue striped Dinky Supertoy box. A later version had a yellow and red box and rubber tyres.

The model also had a driver with fawn or blue overalls. Also sold as No562. Advertised in the December 1955 Meccano magazine for 7/3. In August 1957 was illustrated in Meccan Magazine priced at 7/9.Cost 7/- available in yellow finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Blaw Knox Heavy Tractor Advertised in the December 1955 Meccano magazine for 8/-. By February 1958 the advertised price had risen to 8/11.Cost 7/9 available in red, yellow finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Elevator Loader Featured rubber crank operated belt, movable load hopper and cute supplied in a large blue striped box marked Dinky Toys thought the loading hopper bears the Dinky Supertoys name. also 564. Advertised in the February 1958 Meccano Magazine for 18/6.Cost 18/6 available in yellow & blue, blue & orange finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Marrel Multi-Bucket Unit Released on December 1960 and shown on that months Meccano Magazine.Cost 10/9 available in yellow finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky BBC TV Roving Eye Vehicle The roof mounted camera could be rotated. Advertised in the May 1959 & January 1960 Meccanno Magazines for 8/3. Cost 8/3 available in green finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky 20 Ton Lorry Mounted Crane Coles Made from May 1955 until 1968. Supplied in a blue striped Dinky Supertoys Box crank operated jib and hook and 360 degree rotation. Released May 1955. The price in April 1958 was 17/6 when it was advertised in Meccano Magazine. Advertised in the August 1958 Meccano Magazine for 16/6. Sold for 18/6 in 1959.Cost 17/6 available in yellow & orange finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Goods Yard Crane Renumbered from 752. Illustrated in the July 1955 issue of Meccano Magazine.Cost 11/- available in yellow/blue finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Commercial Servicing Platform Vehicle featured in the August and September 1960 Meccano MagazinesCost 13/6 available in cream and red finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Racehorse Transporter As Dinky 980/981 but with 2 plastic horses and in Newmarket Racehorse transport Service livery. Advertised in the October 1961 Meccano Magazine.Cost 15/4 available in yellow & grey finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Pullmore Car Transporter Came in a blue striped Dinky Supertoy box complete with a loading ramp in a sleeve marked 994 Loading Ramp which was marked 794. Shown in the January issue of Meccano magazine at 17/6 with the ramp costing 1/7. It also available as part of a set including cars and also as No582. The model was renumbered 982 in January 1954. Advertised in the December 1957 Meccano magazine for 17/11. Windows were added in early 1961. The Pullmore Car Transporter made its last appearance in the July 1963 catalogue, and was deleted from production by the middle of that year. Cost 16/6 available in blue finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Car Carrier and trailer released in July 1958 and Advertised in the July 1958 issue of Meccano Magazine. Mentioned in the November 1959 Meccano Magazine.The car carrier was available separately No 984 for £1-2-9 and the trailer as No 985 for 16/6.Cost £1/18/6 available in red finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Car carrier .Cost £1/2/9 available in red and grey,yellow blue & grey finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Thorneycroft Mighty Antar Low Loader inc Propeller Released in June 1959 and illustrated on the back cover of that months Meccano Magazine. Deleted from the catalogue in 1964. Windows were fitted to later versions. A tank transporter version was numbered 660. The propeller was plastic.Cost 14/11 available in red/grey finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky ABC TV Control Room Made between July 1962 and 1970. Similar to 967. Advertised inside the back cover of the July 1962 Meccano Magazine.Cost 12/6 available in blue & Grey finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky ABC TV Transmitter Van Introduced in May 1962 and advertised on the back cover of that months Meccano Magazine. Similar to 968. fitted with a rotating dish. Advertised for 7/6 in the July 1962 Meccano Magazine.Cost 7/9 available in blue & grey finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Loading Ramp Loading Ramp for Pullmore Car Transporter renumbered 794. Used this number in 1954/5. available in blue finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Caravelle SE210 Airliner Introduced in January 1962 and advertised on the back cover of that months Meccano magazine. Marked "Air France"Cost 9/6 available in white finish. Dinky in detail...

The Dinky Atlas Willeme Log Carrier Shown in the 1965 catalogue. available in red finish at 1:55 scale. Dinky Atlas in detail...

The French Dinky Delahaye Fire Escape This was the first French Dinky Supertoy. It was renumbered 899. available in red finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Willeme Log Carrier Introduced in July 1956 renumbered to 897 in 1959 and deleted in 1960. Cab the same as 36b and trailer the same as 39B. available in red & yellow finish at 1:50 scale. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Willeme Articulated Truck withTilt Renumbered 896 in 1959. available in red & yellow finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Camion Unic Multibenne Marrel Renumbered 895 in 1959. Later versions were fitted with windows. This model was 132mm long. available in grey & yellow finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Unic Boilot porte voitures (cars transport) Made from November 1957 till 1968. Renumbered 894 in 1959. A crank raises and lowers the upper deck. available in silver & red finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Unic Sahara Pipe Transporter The trailer is the same as 36A. available in beige finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Brockway Military Truck with pontoon bridge Featured in the July 1962 Meccano Magazine.Cost 38/- available in olive drab finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Richier Road Grader Although French Dinky introduced the Richier Profileur 100 (886) into the range in November 1960, it was not until April 1961 that the French Meccano Magazine advertised the model. The 176mm long grader or road profiler had a front chassis width of 85mm, a rear chassis width of 60mm and a height of 90mm. The profiler blade, which could move through 180 degrees, also had width of 60mm. The model’s tyres were 27mm in diameter, the standard for large or heavy duty Supertoys. At the vehicles front, its wheels slightly pivoted on a vertical plane. The yellow chassis of the vehicle had grey-green seating, arm rests and engine and the driver has a blue overall. French Dinky withdrew the model in 1965.

In April 1961 the French Meccano magazine announced its “Big Competition”, with 2,500 new francs worth of prizes, based on the introduction of the Richier Profiler 100. The competition involved setting the profiler in a diorama with a range of other construction machinery represented by other French Dinky Toys. With a closing date of 15th January, 1962, the competition had 5 levels of prizes, with a first prize of Meccano, Hornby or Dinky models worth 500 new francs. At the 5th level, there were 30 prizes worth 50 new francs.

The real Richier Profileur 100 was 7.720 metres long, with a 3.8m front undercarriage, a 2.74m rear undercarriage and a height of 4m. Powered by a 100cv diesel engine, the unit weighed 11 tonnes and could move in forward and reverse at 4 speeds, with a normal running speed of 20km/h. The vehicle was capable of working in varied terrains, hollowing out and building embankments often on undressed surfaces.

At Neuville, St. Amand, south of St. Quentin, Richier construction machinery had its headquarters and main plant, with a second site at Charleville, near Mézières, in the Ardennes. Richier built a wide range of equipment, including bulldozers, compressors, road rollers and graders, under their own brand name. They also manufactured equipment for the Ford Motor Company, who bought-out Richier in 1972. The product range was modernised but by 1979, Ford decided to sell the Richier Company to SAMBRON, who moved all production to Charleville. Ultimately, the company was sold-on to Bobcat and eventually, to the New Holland Machine Company. available in yellow finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Unic Tractor & Tanker BP Air . available in white & green finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Muir Hill Dumper In September 1948, Dinky Toys introduced the Muir-Hill dumper truck in Britain, as model number 562. However, it was not until 1959 that French Dinky brought the same dumper truck into their catalogue, as model 887, later to become identified as 887/1.

The Muir Hill dumper (562) went on sale for 9/-. The 4 3/16 inch (106mm) model had adjustable front wheels, a tipping bucket and reversible driver’s seat. The front axle, beneath the engine could be adjusted to give curved movement. By December 1948, Dinky reduced the price to 7/6 and by December 1949, to 6/-. A year later, the model cost 7/- and by January 1952, the cost increased to 8/8. Between 1948 and 1954, the model appeared in primrose yellow. From 1954-1962, the paintwork changed to cream and the wheels changed from metal to red plastic hubs and rubber tyres. The driver also changed from a metal figure in a brown overall to a blue plastic figure. From 1948-1966, the casting retained the number 562, even though the model number changed to 962. The original number, 562, even appeared on the French version of the model, 887/1, which French Dinky introduced in 1959.

The French version of the model relied upon the English casting with its 562 numbering, but had a French baseplate stamped with the model number 887 next to the slot for the rear axle. The 106mm long model cost 950 old francs, almost 17/6. The main features of the model were those of the English version, but the baseplate recognised that the model was assembled in France. In 1959, soon after its introduction, the dumper truck was renumbered 962 and continued in production until its withdrawal in 1961.

The actual dumper truck was the Muir-Hill Hiway 10B, which had a 2.5-3.0 cubic yard bucket. Produced in Manchester, Muir-Hill began to manufacturer heavy plant and off-road vehicles in the 1920s. In 1959, the company was sold to the Winget Group, from Rochester, Kent. Currently, the firm belongs to Lloyd Loaders (MH) Ltd, Halifax, Yorkshire.

French Dinky introduced the model in 1959 and it was deleted in 1961.Cost 9/- available in yellow, cream finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Berliet GBO Saharien The design of the crane on this model looks very odd as though added to a vehicle that might have had some other purpose. available in fawn finish at 1:50 scale. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Berliet Tank Transporter In October 1959, in the last of the glossy versions of the French Meccano magazine, French Dinky announced the introduction of the Berliet TTBU-15 Porte-char (890), a 6x6 tank transporter. The 315mm overall length of the vehicle included the 125mm of the Berliet TBU 15 tractor unit and the 170mm of the ‘Swan-neck’ low loader, with a further 20mm when the rear loading ramps are lowered. The tractor unit itself has plastic windows and is a variant of the military trucks 80D/818 and 826. The tractors six 20mm wheels are mounted on 9mm concave hubs by black treaded tyres, with two spares located in the casting, behind the truck’s cab. The ‘Swan-neck’ trailer hooks onto the tractor unit and is secured by a spring loaded, swivel attachment. At the rear of the low-loader, twin axles carry four 19mm wheels, with smooth, black tyres on 7mm convex hubs. The spare wheel is mounted on a concave hub, between the ‘Swan’s neck’, where the low-loader is attached to the tractor. When the ramps come down, they allow for the loading of the French Dinky AMX char (tank). The casting for both the tractor and the low-loader contains a great deal of fine detail, including equipment. Painted in the matt, drab bronze green of the French Army, the vehicle carries the French tricolour on the front bumper and one of the tailgate ramps. The model came in a box which had no picture, but with the blue and white stripes typical of Dinky Supertoys. The model cost 14.50 new francs, about 16/-. The dimensions of the box were 32.4 cm x 8.9 cm x 6cm and it weighed 635grams. The model was withdrawn in 1970.

Between 1894 and 1932 Rochet-Schneider built automobiles in Lyon, France. In the early 1950’s, the French Army sought tenders for a new era of military trucks. Rochet-Schneider built a prototype 6x6, known as the T6. This vehicle required considerable modification to meet necessary standards and as a result, the manufacture was awarded to another company. Berliet, the other producer, built vehicles at nearby, Vénissieux and took-over Rochet-Schneider in 1951. The production version of the truck had a 15 litre, 6 cylinder engine and the vehicle became known as the Berliet TBU; the basis for French Dinky’s tractor unit for models 80D/818, 826 and 890. Berliet sub-contracted the production of the ‘Swan-neck’ low-loader to a firm called Codor.

Subsequently, Citroën bought Berliet but Michelin, the owners of Citroën, sold Berliet, which had been merged with Saviem. Renault bought the new company to create Renault Vehicles Industriels (RVI), which is now in partnership with Volvo trucks.

The Berliet Porte-char was introduced in 1959 and withdrawn in 1970. Cost 14.50 new available in olive drab finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Tracteur Unic Saharien Advertised in the June 1961 Meccano Magazine. Fitted with windows. In the September 1961 issue of Meccano Magazine the price had risen to 13/-. Advertised in the July 1962 Meccano Magazine for 12/9.Cost 12/9 available in fawn finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Berliet Low Loader with transformer released in June 1961 and made till 1965. No 890 was a military version. The transformer load is plastic. available in orange finish at 1:43 scale. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Turntable Ladder Fire Engine Renumbered from 32D. available in red finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Camion Grue - Coles Renumbered 889 and then 972L. available in orange & yellow finish. French Dinky in detail...