powerrabbit

Yes, this JD 4020 was one in the series and as they all are, cracking little models. I have heard a rumour that the proposed new Corgi range of tractors being released in 2008 in the same scale are now seriously in doubt of coming about because of this 'competition'.

How strange is this, wow, what a price. I bought a mint and boxed Britain's Alfa Laval tanker only a few weeks ago off Ebay and with the postage cost me ?12. 85p. Happened to buy one at the right time.

I've got one of those, just the tractor though, no driver, think he's missing. I'll post up a pic of it against a 1:32 Britain's tractor in a mo. Release year was 1989 and I think dropped in 1994 or 5. Can't find it, never mind. Bigger than our sort of Britain's, 1/2 as big again I would say.

Don't bother with the kit form ones as they are a total mess in my opinion. I think I said this in the original topic on these tractors but here's a refresher. The one I had in kit form was the E1A Major. Both haves of the main casting had to be filed level to fit together flush. The 'rivet' pegs on one half were too big to go through the holes on the other half and the rear peg was too long. The rear mudguards had very little lower surface to glue to the axle. The front axle pin (swivel pin) was too small inside the casting to stay in place once the two halves were together so I had to fashion a 'split' washer to hold it in the casting. No wire steering link in the kit, made one using paper-clip wire. Front wheels far too loose on the axle wire and were E27N type. Rear tyres very loose fit on rims, again, E27N type wheels. Seat lower peg had to be filed down to fit the seat lower to stop hydraulic cross-shaft from dropping out. Down arms could not be used as they were too hard, even after gentle heat, to fit over the locating pegs on the cross-shaft and lower hitch, so I used some proper Britain's ones. Finaly, there were no decals in the kit. When I Emailed the chap to ask for some he wanted to know what ones I wanted, I said if he did'nt know, don't bother. The wire axles are useless as the steel is too hard to crimp the ends to stop the wheels coming off. On the right hand mudguard, in the casting, is 'Made In England' and no attemt has been made to hide where the word 'Britain's' has been ground out. :'( :'( I hope that the built models are better quality than the kits???? I certainly won't be having any more, in either form. I would rather pay a lot more and have an example of the real thing, Britain's that is.

Rory. I am in total agreement with your comments, as you say no publication can be all things to all men (or women). Any publication that shares a similar feild of interest should not be competitive but should follow their individual style to cater for those it was originally designed for or aimed at. When competition starts creeping into into things, this is where I, and I feel many others would agree, things start to go 'down-hill' in the quality of article and content. Reading other magazines, not of a farming nature I may add, when another similarly aimed publication is brought to the market, you can see that there is competition by reading 'between the lines' and they start to 'refer' to each others articles in a contradictory way rather than in a constuctive manner and the reader gets 'left out'. Rory, you are right, I know exactly your train of thought, leave it as it is, if it is'nt up to the mark, the readers will let you know. Readers, they are the most important element. I say, if it's working, leave it alone. Keep it up!!!

Strange that! No I did'nt buy any at Toytrac but I do remember those, that's why I did'nt buy them. The ones I have I have had for several years, picked them up at a book fair, cheaper at these usually.

Well, that was a short topic!

No Rory. To be honest I've never even met Peter although we do communicate regularly. Would not go without CT though, in fact I take all the magazines, variety is the spice of life!

These books now seem to be very few and far between and those that are printed nowadays seem to be aimed at very young children and come in a variety of media such as cloth and board format. Back when I was a child in the 1950's and 60's, these books were more educational and the artwork in them was superb and actually produced by professional artists and illustrators and the illustrations were very accurate to life on the farm depicting a farming activity and scene with the facing pages actually describing the scene and what was going on in it. I am sure that these books inspired a lot of children and gave them an interest in farming especially in the years after the Second World War when food was still in short supply and greater importance was put on farming and food production than is the case now. Do any of you have or collect these old books? I try to pick them up when I see them. I am sure that there are still numerous ones around. Here is a list of the ones that I have to date..... I will post up pictures of them later. 'Timothy's Book Of The Farm'. by David Stephen. Illustrated by A.E. Kennedy & T.E. North. Published by Collins. 44 pages. Price 2/6. No date but around 1958/60. 'The Wonder Book Of The Farm'. Published by Ward & Lock. Actual b&w photos with some colour illustrations. 224 pages. Not dated but around 1955/59. 'The Boy's Book Of Mechanised Farming'. by Frank Griffin. Published by Burke. Aimed at the slightly older boy, 14 years I would say. Chapters cover farming from primitive times up to the time this book was published in 1964. 135 pages with b&w photos and drawings. Very interesting end chapter on 'future possibilities'. 'The Farmer'. Ladybird book from the 'People At Work' series. 52 pages, colour illistrations. 1963. Price 2/6. 'Farm Machinery' Ladybird book from the 'How It Works' series. 52 pages, colour illustrations. 1970. 'Revised' price (just as we changed to decimal). 15p.

The magazine is starting to widen it's 'horizons' a little, they have started this by adding the model section and I beleive that they also intend to do more 'profile' stuff such as individuals collections. At present, other than that, I'm certain what is in the pipeline but when I hear anything I'll let you know.

How many of you read this one? It now sports a very good model section in which Peter Love has a big input. Peter as you know started up Tractor & Machinery Magazine 14 years ago but has now left, I can't go into the detail about all that but in the current issue, November, there is a four page section on whats coming, auction news, short bit on a Britain's MF135 restoration, Scaledown and a couple other bits, one being the new UH 'Black Diamond' Valtra that is imminent. I am told, space permitting, that included in this section in the December issue (out 13th Nov) will be a fairly comprehensive 'one persons' collection featured linked together with real tractors and also a feature on a local model dealer. I personally quite like this magazine as it includes other farming interest, not just tractors and machinery. Worth a look I would say.

Well, what more can be said apart from 'brilliant'. You ought to go and work for Britain's, they might learn something then!

Would'nt of cost them much I reckon, all they have had to do is re-jig the T20 they've already done, remove a front axle, join two together and 'hey presto'. Be interesting to see how many actually sell.

Not really one for me as it does'nt really lite my fire. 2 real ones have been done up to now and a chap did a D.B one last year, how long before they cotton on to that one I wonder? \

Just had to share this one with you all. In my oppinion one of the best models that UH has done to date. Fabulous detail and not a bad price at ?21. From Martin Smits stall yesterday. Box looks yellow in the pic, bad light, should be silver. Did anyone else buy one? Faaaaaaantastic!

Heres my comments and reveiw of the new Britain's Ford 7600. Well, Britain's have come up trumps once again, just another 'toy' tractor. Wrong exhaust, should be further forward in line with the front of the manifold and it should be a black oval one. The rear wheel weights should not be there as these were an after market fitment. The rear hitch is again too narrow to fit most implements. Front tyres are 7.50x16 and should be 7.50x18. No representation of a 'turbo'. No rear lights again or front cab mounted on stems sidelights. If I remember right, there should be another decal on the front nose-cone side panels but can't remember what it was now. In short, this model, if you can call it that, is just a 6600 or 7000 with 7600 decals. (apart from the grille which is ok). Come on Britain's, it's about time you took notice of these details if you wish to compete in the 'collectors' market, perhaps you should buy some of your competitors models and see how to really make models, even Ros have started to overtake you now and they used to make some rubbish as well. Look, listen and LEARN!

Fantastic day out, wish it was 2 days, having withdrawl symtoms today :'( but on the whole a very satisfied (and now very poor) bunny.

Can only reiterate what's already been said really but will add, cracking day out, really nice to meet you all again and some I have'nt met before. Well done you lads on the fantastic layout and well done Mandy also. Everyone I spoke to said that it was a cracking venue, easy to find (although there could have been some 'Toytrac' signs off the 303) and are looking forward to 2008. Very freindly atmosphere and smiles on everyones faces (including the dealers). ABSOLUTELEY FANTASTIC!!!!!!! Just over 80 miles each way for me, left up there at 3.23, arrived home 4.53. Now have a slight headache and a very empty pocket!

Mate of mine is coming up from Penzance tomorrow to come with me on Sunday. Were going to try and be there fairly early as I am 'helping' Farmer Edd set up his stall so will be nice to see you all that are going there I prommise I will visit the FTF stand.

Ertl did three versions of the 1:32 Fordson Major in non-window boxes. First was a grey wing and wheel one. 2nd was an orange wheel one with 'parts mart special edition' on the wings. 3rd one was one with grey bonnet, wheels and wings with 'parts mart special edition' on the wings. I've got all three of these in my cabinet.

I always try to correct my mistakes. It just depends on how things are sometimes interpreted in the reading.

Yes I did mean the 1:16 135. Apollogies.

If you are only wanting a small quantity of seed the best thing to do is to get it off a farmer that grows his own barley for milling for winter feed for cattle and/or sheep. The best time to get it is in February or March as then you will not have the problem of storing it as the farmer will have better storage facilities. For such small quantities there would be no point in dressing it or having it dressed. Doing it this way will save you money. We always drilled our own saved seed for years, never had a problem with it and always had good crops. One thing I will say, till the seed a little thicker, say 1.1/2 cwt per acre instead of the normal 1 cwt or 1. 1/4 cwt, this will allow for losses. Years ago it was always said to plant:- 'One for the Rook, one for the Crow, one to die and one to grow'

I have just been informed that the MF35 in 1:16 will be available from mid November on general release as will the 1:32 35X and Fordson Major, this is a little later than anticipated but a number just may be around in time for Toytrac. There will also be a very limited number of the 1:32 Fordson Major produced in SILVER. Any more news I get, I will keep you all informed.

A lot closer!