ploughmaster

These are the North American market catalogues - they possibly aren't releasing it over there to start with - maybe a second half release? The Fords were released over there at different times from their UK releases too. You're right, I missed that bit

Very true, perhaps Admin could pare off the non relevant posts and put them in a new thread in the Britains section It has rather veered off (as these threads are wont to do ) A previous discussion was begun on the book back when it was first published, but after an initial flurry of posts, it kind of fizzled out: http://www.farmtoysforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,31086.0.html

I haved never seen the Clockwork Trailer in a 'Duck and Egg' box; I am not sure if it was ever packaged in a farm style box other than in sets with a tractor as it covered the military side as well. The ones I have seen were either earlier ones in the military type red box with lid, or a later 'catch-all' style Picture Pack with drawings of three of the vehicles it could be used with on the underneath (including the E27N): Like you, I have only ever seen the second type Timber Trailer in a Sleeve and Plinth box, or the earlier one in the green box with the label on the lid. It would be interesting to know if anyone has one in a picture pack (or even come across one at any time)?

They can be removed without damaging the packing, but it requires care. Very few of these models have survived with the card straps and strengtheners intact unless they have never been removed (ex shop) or have belonged to a collector (or very careful owner) from new. The cards were usually torn off to release the toy. To release them requires the ends of the plinth opening up and the tabs on the ends of the card supports/straps folding flat to allow them to be pushed back up through the slots in the plinth - you sometimes see such as the roller, disc harrow or cultivator with the remains of the pieces of card, usually torn off at the bottom on one side and, if you're lucky, the detached part loose in the plinth - the parts can be glued together again if so). Sadly, the vast majority of these models, even if boxed and mint or near mint are usually missing the extra packaging altogether. Thanks for that list and the pics Super6. I don't think I have seen the 174F S&P box with a sticky label for the number change before; very interesting. To confirm, yes I was referring to the 'duck and egg' type of box, but referred to them as 'Farm Picture Pack' as that was the official Britains name for them; I perhaps should have clarified that. Just to further complicate matters, I have the Milk Float with Plastic Horse (9501) (the set without the milkman, as opposed to 9503 which included him) in a picture pack (duck and egg box), but with the later 95** number on it (I also have the Tumbrel Cart (9505) in a similar box:

I'd rather have the Steiger 600 from the Case-IH catalogue (but I think I'm a bit too large for it ) It may be, but it may just be because the actual T9.450 model is a shorter wheelbase than the T9.670 (as on the real thing) The 32nd T.8 is a T.8.360 on singles - the T8.390 on duals is 64th I would think you will find that, as with a lot of the Ertl commissioned items, it will become part of the Britains catalogue later in the year (or possibly next year). Not sure why you should think that because Siku are doing one, it has to mean that no other manufacturer is allowed to; Britains and Siku have a long history of licences to produce models of the same or similar machines (Ford TW/30 series. Deutz DX, Renault TX145, MF 7200 series combine). All the 32nd models that Ertl produce are available for Craig to commission a version for Britains Ertl do seem to be producing less in the way of New Holland the last couple of years - the Case-IH range is now far bigger.

When these went up on the Ertl site yesterday morning, I bet myself that someone would post them here within a 24 hours. You didn't quite make it Nothing excessively exciting in them, but I will look forward to the NH T8.360 (and hopefully a Britains release of it later in the year perhaps )

For the last 12 years, yes, but prior to that it was Ford that had been the best seller for well over 20 years Until the late 70's JD sales in the UK were insignificant and their sales only took off after the SG cab era came to an end. Before then, the UK market was dominated by Ford, Massey Ferguson, International and Case/David Brown, so I would agree with bluegreen, those brands are more historically popular than the likes of Fendt, Deutz, Valtra and Renault/Claas which have dominated UH releases until now. The T6090 certainly looks pretty good in the pictures; hopefully it is as good in reality

Up to the 1960 trade catalogue, new items were not shown in the main catalogue for the year in which they were released, but were put in a seperate 'New Lines' catalogue/leaflet. I don't have the one for 1959, but the 1960 New Lines leaflet shows the Cultivator (175F) as the only new farm item that year (175F isn't shown in the full trade catalogue for 1960, but both 173F and 174F are). The first trade catalogue to incorporate the new lines was 1961. Note I have modified my previous post as I also have the 175F Cultivator (first issued in 1960) in a picture pack, which suggests that they were replaced by the packing crate boxes during 1960/early 1961:

According to James Opie, the two Fordson Power Major tractors (171F & 172F), the Muledozer (174F) and Three Furrow Plough (173F) were released in 1959. I have 173F in a picture pack, and I am sure I recall seeing the Muledozer in one also. I also have the Cultivator (175F) in a picture pack (it was issued in 1960!). \ It seems probable that the sleeve and plinth/packing crate style boxes were probably not introduced for the implements until 1961?, and that 173F , 174F and 175F were issued in the previous style Farm Picture Packs/Duck and Egg boxes in 1959/60? Consequently there won't be that many of them around.

Have a look on Google Books: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=8GVVoD8_OAUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=britains+catalogues+pullen&source=bl&ots=64twS98VrL&sig=6zu76isFwKeDrvSNIZgH3GnNO6w&hl=en&ei=Cb4wTbuqJMyxhAfI8cnuCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CEEQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q&f=false Cover: [img height=677 width=960]http://www.veloce.co.uk/newsletter/sellercovers/9781845842758.jpg

I have several earlier implements in the '50s style 'Farm Picture Pack' boxes with the 'F' numbers - apart from 173F, I have various Rollers (136F), Disc Harrows (135F), Cultivator (175F), Trailer Plough (138F), Two Wheeled Tipping Trailer (130F) and also the Fordson Super Major on rubber tyres (172F) in a sleeve and plinth box, all with 'F' suffix numbers. The sleeve and plinth (or 'packing case' pattern) boxes pre-date the numbering change as I have both 174F and 175F in the sleeve and plinth boxes: 174F: 175F: Note the lack of end flaps on the Cultivator box - they are not missing; the earliest sleeve and plinth boxes were issued like this. 175F Cultivator was only released in 1960, so was only around for a couple of years before its number changed, and that also indicates that the other implements already in production were probably put ito sleeve and plinth/packing crate boxes with an 'F' number. The Acrobat Rake was released in 1961, and was shown as a new item, numbered 176F, in the 1961 trade catalogue accompanied by a picture of it sitting in position within the plinth of the packing crate box, so it must have been released in the sleeve and plinth box with an 'F' number, although I have not seen one.

I know, I did too until 2000, but it was getting too expensive and it was that or the toys (maybe I should have stuck with stamps - they take up a lot less room ) I think the size was chosen to be similar to the size of the originals (to avoid the consequent lack of sharpness/clarity that would have resulted from enlarging the scans of the original catalogue pages). 1970 to '79 is a good starting point - there is a lot of interest in this era, but availability of catalogues for these years is rather limited (and expensive) compared with the ones from the 1980's onwards. It was also quite an exciting decade when there were a lot of changes/new additions to the ranges, whereas the changes from year to year in the 60's were quite few. There is a footnote (at both begining and end of both the 'by name' and 'by code' sections indicating that a '-' symbol denoted a missing price , although it perhaps could have had an expanded explanation as to why. Perhaps David might be persuaded to do a similar excercise for the earlier issues (1960 to '69), but it would require the access to all the relevant catalogues (and price lists ), which might have been an issue?. It will also probably depend how successful this edition is. Possibly, but then again, I remember the transition models of the 5000/6600 were already about in about August '75 and I think the 6600 themselves were around before the end of the year. I've had another good look at the pic of it in the '76 trade catalogue, and I am still inclined to think they are the green wheels as fitted to the Kubelwagen and some of the guns (the mouldings were the same as those used for the single axle horse box), but the pics aren't large/clear enough to be absolutely certain. Thanks for that, looks possible that there may have been '/64' editions of the others too More to look for!

Yes, I saw that Farm one. An awful lot of money for a single sheet of paper Fortunately, I already had it (I think it cost me £15 in 2000). I have two different Floral Garden leaflets - one with the code S.A.32 which appears to show the 1962 ange, and one with the code S.A.32/64 which includes the 1963 additions/changes. I assume from the '64' suffix that it was issued in late 1963 or very early 1964 (before the 1964 changes took effect - some of the flowers were re-modelled and the replacements issued under different catalogue numbers during 1964). I have the Farm (S.A.37), Zoo (S.A.38), and Swoppets/Eyes Right/Guns/Motor Cycle/Garage/Tractor & Rear Dump (S.A.41/64). As with the Floral leaflet, the Swoppet etc one includes changes to the ranges from 1963. I wondered if they issued two different versions of all these leaflets? (although the Floral one is the only one I have found in both versions so far). Was there an earlier Swoppets one (S.A.41), or a later Farm S.A.37/64 or Zoo S.A.38/64?? Would be nice to know if anyone has them \

Perhaps back then Britains saw it as a simple update to the existing 5000, rather than a new model? In similar fashion, neither the Ford 'Force' 5000 nor the 5000 with safety cab and 'steer-o-matic' were announced as new models (in 1969 and 1973 respectively)although the 6600 gained a new catalogue number (9524) whilst all versions of the 5000s carried the same catalogue number (9527). The cabless version of the MF 135 wasn't starred as new either - both that and the 6600 were first shown in the 1976 catalogue which was probably the most basic catalogue they ever produced; it didn't show the catalogue numbers for any of the models, and the accompanying price list had a lot of gaps in it. Note also in the '76 catalogue the High Sided Tipping Trailer (9566) with the early prototype/pre-production yellow 'High Sided Tipper Cart' decal, and fitted with army green wheels - a version I have not seen in reality (yet!!) It is certainly a very useful book, and for reference purposes saves a lot of wear and tear on the now rather pricey originals (I've seen top condition copies of the early 70's catalogues selling for £30 to £40 recently ).

My guess would be Schuco as well - they have done several Claas models recently, but I would think Norev is also a possibility.

Zero feedback winning bidder, and underbidder with only 2 feedback, and the pair of them did most of the bidding (next lowest bidder was at £10; still too much IMO). What's the betting it doesn't get paid for??

That's interesting, not seen one with a handrail like that - I wonder if it is an error/oddity or if they have altered the design?? I have both the standard Britains version and the US issue Ertl Prestige Collection one (with wider track setting) and both have the handrail with the 'gap'. They both have a beacon too. I've just had a look in BCs 'Other Britains' thread for his pics of the Waterloo Employee edition of the RT, and it has the gap in the handrail and the beacon fitted as well. However, I note the photo of the real thing on the rear of both the Waterloo box and the Ertl Prestige box show a complete handrail like the one on your model, and the real one in the photo on the rear of the Britains box has the gap with a chain hung across it; I wonder if the factory have made willy up and been fitting the wrong handrails to them?? Most odd \ I will have to keep my eyes peeled

Each version of the box is very similar - differing on the front mainly in having a drawing of the DDN Major on the early box and a drawing of the Ford 6600 on the later one which you have pictured above (there were differences on the bottom of the box too). The earlier boxes had a very pale blue plastic tray. The very earliest version of the box is a slightly lighter shade of blue (though hard to see unless both versions are put side by side). A similar shade change exists with the Shawnee-Poole dumper and I suspect it may well have occurred when the Empire Blue on the Super Major was replaced by the Ford Tractor Blue of the Super Major 5000 (also used on the last versions of the New Performance Fordson Major). The box itself is based on one made by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies and the description on the bottom of the early box refers to it as a 'Ransomes': source: Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies by Brian Bell The type of material and colour of the sacks has changed several times over the years. The earliest ones were a pale greeny grey and made of a very rubbery soft PVC (similar to the early haybales). In the early 70's the PVC was less rubbery, but the sacks were still the same sort of colour. These early PVC bales and sacks have a tendency to react with the polystyrene packaging. Later versions were made of a harder material, which doesn't react, and were usually slate grey, although some were made in a tan colour for a short while in the 80's (like in BCs picture above), and also dark brown later on I think, before reverting to dark grey again. I can't understand the amount some people are bidding on these at the moment, I certainly wouldn't rate them that highly.

The tanker is correct as I have this set with yellow tank bought as old stock from a shop in 1990 (the set was deleted at the end of 1987). The tractor in that set may possibly be incorrect - the 2680 with the silver grey fully glazed cab was only available during the first year of production (1985), and from 1986 on had a white unglazed cab (still glazed until later in 1986), white wheels and white grille surround (which is the version in my set). It is assumed that Britains were using up yellow tanks after deletion of the Autoway series at the end of 1986, and so would be unlikely to have the 1985 version of the MF2680 in them, but it isn't impossible (though I've not seen another silver cab with the yellow tank in this set). I can't see any other possible 'put together' items amongst his other recent listings. The Britains Centenary tractor with blue casting is a variation I haven't seen before, and could possibly be concocted - it is a very easy job to swap the plastic parts onto a blue casting, and for that reason I wouldn't value it at a premium over the normal silver casting version, but wouldn't necessarily say it is 'a put together' one either (elsewhere, someone recently posted a picture of one with a black casting).

A belated thank you Bill . They seem to to multiply rather quicker nowadays

Really?? I'm surprised by that; I've not seen any Britains in the one in Lincoln for years (probably more than 10 years in fact), and even before that they never had more than 6 items (and mostly tractor/trailer sets).

I think the only pics so far are the thumbnails Dave Towse has posted (in posts 55, 56 and 57 on this thread). No doubt as soon as someone has access to some better ones they will appear on this thread

Dash it! I had hoped they were going to let me have one too I think it's a 36 (in 1:32), and I doubt if I could afford it without the aforementioned Think I'll have to make do with the Britains IH tractors and the new trailers.

^^I saw that and thought the same. You couldn't even make a sensible offer with a BIN that sky high

Those are the correct rear wheels for the genuine 590. It might be poor quality pictures, but the decals look a bit worn to me (especially for being described as 'unplayed with'). Bit overpriced to my mind too.