powerrabbit

Rick. The colour in the pictures may look a little lighter than it actually is, It's called 'Hunting Pink'. (which is really a shade of bright red) The reason the tractors were painted this colour, as were all of the David Browns up to 1965 when the white ones came in, was that when the first real prototype was built, the design team were in the factory yard one Saturday trying to decide what colour it should be painted, in came David Brown himself and joined in the conversation, he had just returned from following the local hunt dressed in all his hunting regalia and took his hunting jacket off and draped it over the bonnet of the tractor and said 'Paint it that colour'. So they did.

It is looking a lot better and much stronger but still with that stupid ring hitch. Suppose if we run out of room for models we could always use the ring to hang the tractors up!

Three eBay purchases came today. 1976 boxed 'Pine Lodge Riding Stables' full set, stables, tree, jumps, woman rider going over a gate, giel and boy on Shetland ponies, older girl on white horse, brown horse, all three gates and posts and the two potted firs at the 'entance'. The stables are the early type with the long nameboard and clock on the front right of the roof. The set itself is near mint but the box is a little tatty on the ends but the picture label on it is mint. Britains 22 &1/2cwt blue dumper. Mint unboxed. Britains 'Home Farm' plough set, the one in the sets in the green boxes that came out with the 'Vintage Series' tractors. Mint.

Have just sent the pictures and a review of it to Tim Bolton for the next Model Tractor mag. Be interesting to see what it comes out like. Yes, I feel very privelleged to actually have the prototype and niceley certificated too.

Thanks Lee. I will contact Martin and inform him of the differences between this model and the 'War-time economy' version. Yes, I did know that the nameplates on the side panels did not have the 'tails', they just had the continuous line boarder around the name. Was aware of the lack of the rubbers on the independant steering brake hand levers as well, I think that was a general thing on most War-time tractors, no more rubber than nesessary. The War-time version should also have the green canvas seat coverings, as the prototype pictured, but the rest of the rubber tyred VAK1's will probably have black cushions. Any other differences on the War-time version, please tell me so's I can pass it on to Martin.

Andy. Yes, please do. Martin was very keen for me to add publicity to this model and rightly so is very proud of it and wanted me to share with all. I contributed to this model, albeit in a very small way, by sending him pictures of a real one, although he did have one to work from to make the patterns, and informing him of the correct fitments such as the tyre size, nameplates on the side panels and other things that would have been built into the tractor at the factory, as we all know, many 'restored' tractors today carry a number of replacement parts that are not as or are far from original and Martin being the perfectionist that he is, wished to get it right and as I have said, the result is stunning. My biggest thanks to Martin and Gerald goes to them for enabling me to own this the prototype which makes it a more unique model.

Yes Nathan. Not a lot of farm stuff but what there was could be had pretty cheap, some was on the dear side but got most of it anyway. The hall was heaving with people, couldn't move from just after 10.00. There was a bootsale over behind the stand, had a look round but they were packing up before 12.00 as it was quite cold. Next toy fair there is in March I think, will let you know. They've put entry on the door up to £2 now.

From a little local toy fair this morning. Britains 'budget' MF595. Complete and mint. £3. Britains red dumper. Very good condition, all working, no driver. £3. NZG early JCB 3CX white-cab backhoe loader. Mint and boxed. £48. NZG early JCB 3CX black-cab backhoe loader. No box. £15.

G&M Originals are about to release the details of their latest model release of a 1939 David Brown VAK1 tractor in 1:16th scale. Made from brass and diecast, this model has been almost a year in the process of bringing into production. The model is correct in every aspect with incredable detail and accuracy. Fitted with the original type cast grille and the power control hydraulic lift and PTO unit which was an optional extra at the time on the real tractor. The engine has full detail and the side panels are removeable. The front wheels are poseable but not linked via the steering wheel and the front axle pivots. This model would grace the cabinet of anyones collection. A limited number of 150 of this model will be available and each will be numbered and certificated. Further to this there will be up to 50 'War-time-economy' variants of the model produced depending on interest and orders taken for it, this variant will carry the 'bullet-hole' pressed steel type grille and fitted with steel wheels. The model pictured is the prototype which was built in order to see that all the components were correct and fitted together properly before production of the 150 subsequent models would be made and is the model used in all the promotional and advertising material. This model is now residing in my own collection. The production models may very slightly and subtly vary from the prototype but any modifications or alterations will be bareley noticeable as the prototype is so accurate. Ordering and price details can be found on G&M Originals website www.gandmoriginals.com A very stunning model.

Any model is only worth what someone's prepared to pay and if it's not in your price range then you don't buy it. Unfortunately, it now doesn't seem to work that way, any model you want to sell is not worth much in others eyes, they always want it for next to nothing. On the other hand, anything you want, you have to pay top whack take it or leave it. I say leave it, if only everyone were to leave it then these prices would fall to an afforfable level. The main problem with high prices, especially new models, is the 'middle men', the importers and retailers which the traders have little control over. The UH 1:16 models on average start life at around £16 and the trader sells for an average of £46. Yes there are too many models, At the end of this year there will be so many new ones that last years will all be forgotten about and in 10 years time the current models will be as cheap as dirt.

A few more articles on classic farm macinery and implements. In my experience over the past 10 years or so, everyone has concentrated on restoring and preserving tractors and what's the use of that without something period to go behind them or work with? It's just as important to preserve the machinery and implements which in the main seem to have been neglected.

Britains 'replacement' LWB Land Rover canopy off eBay from Paulsfarmtoys via Brian Norman. Needs a little bit of trimming here and there to make it fit better, little too high in the front but better than not having one.

The Corgi Fordson was a Power Major. The Cresent Dexta was modelled looseley on the 1959 model with orange wheels. I have seen somewhere that UH are doing a Dexta, 1:43 in the Tractors & World of Farming series I think.

Received the prototype and certificated D.B. VAK1 from G&M Originals today. Wow, what a beauty.

Thanks Andy, that would be appreciated.

This prototype has been posted out to me today and should be with me sometime tomorrow. When it's here I'll take some more pictures and do a review on it.

Would have sooner had the bronze one Sean but not to worry. Just payed out for something else so funds need to recover a little for a while.

I think I'll forget it then.

So why when I'm trying to order one that it's saying the model is metallic grey and when I try to log in to checkout it says 'authentication failed?

My UH 1:16 Claas LD80 baler arrived today, hell of a model, very delicate with all the very intricate parts and terriffic detail. One of the best modesl of farm machinery UH have produced to date I would say.

Most of them never worked from new so don't be surprised if it won't go.

I honestly can't remember how I came across the Forum but since being a member have found it very informative and interesting and a valuable resource into farm model collecting in general apart from meeting with a lot of new real and 'virtual' freinds'. My serious interest in collecting farm related models started around 6 years ago when I got heavily into it but it's always been there but I think that FTF is the reason that my house is now overflowing.

Know what you're saying Sean but in these cases I think it depends on the company that issue the card, if the bank is using the issuer as an agent and not the card issuer themselves then you can have problems. Some banks, in with the card charges usually but not always, if it's the banks own card, include an insurance for these things and usually you are covered up to the maximum limit on your card. Having said that, different banks have different policies on this subjet. Dig out all the bumph that came with the card when you had it and read the small print, all 10 or more pages.

Colin. If you refer back a page to my post to Noel, if you have paid by Debit card from your bank account you will also need to take it up with your card issuer. read the post I have refered to.

I have been given the privelage of unveiling the latest introduction of the new 1939 David Brown VAK1 tractor model from this well respected and renowned builder of stunning tractor and other models. This tractor will be announced in the April issue of T&M Magazine from which time it will be available. The tractor is in 1:16 scale and will be limited to a build number of just 150 units. The cost of the model will be a very reasonable £230 and considering the time and effort gone into it, is a very good price, this model has been in development for nearly a year, started in 2009 being the 70th anniversary of David Brown Tractors and the first D.B. tractor produced. If there are enough orders this model will also be available in its 'War-time economy' version with steel wheels and pressed steel 'bullet-hole' grille. This version will be very limited to 30 or 40 models and will be the same price. The model will be on G&M Originals website next week where you can view more details for ordering. The following pictures are of the finished prototype which are the first that anyone in the world (apart from me) have seen. This prototype will be joining my collection.