No. 60f, No. 66f The Dinky Toy autogiros

[hovermd]

GR - Can you comment on the axel diameter of the Dinky autogiro toys?

Usually, I see a very thin and narrow axel rod, about .04 inches diameter. Most of the examples I own have this size axel.

But, I also have a gold with blue trim version, without pilot, that has a larger .06 inch diameter axel. Is a larger diameter axel an indication that the toy has been altered or reproduced at a later date? To be honest, all other components look correct on the toy...

I think I'm ready to provide at least a partial answer to my own question!

I just received in the mail a BEAUTIFUL Dinky No. 66F Army Cooperation autogiro that I recently purchased. It has all the hallmarks one would look for - correct patina, casting flaws and playwear. And, it has the larger .06 inch diameter axel.

It's evidence enough for me that this larger axel diameter was used on at least some of the original autogiro toys.

Check this beauty out:

Dinky No. 66 Army Cooperation Autogiro

[grwebster]

That is a very rare item, as you know. It was only produced in 1940/41 and is the last Aurogiro made by Meccano's Dinky Toys in the Uk or France.
The autogiro actually did serve in the RAF during WW2. It helped with the new radar installations, mainly, but it was camouflaged.

[dinkycollect]

Geoffrey,

Your two autogiros are great. The gold one is French, the other one English.

It is generally beleived that the pilot's head was added to both makes but so far I have never seen a French one with pilot's head so before one can say that we have to find one.

DGM-Autogiro.jpg (23.02 KiB) Viewed 9623 times

DGM stands for Dave Gilbert Models. Dave produced some very nice Dinky like models of the 24, 28, 30 and 36 series of cars, vans and trucks but also some counterfeits which retained the names of Meccano and Dinky Toys in their casting. I did know that Dave had issued an Autogiro but I have never seen a decent picture of it, some would be welcomed.

DGM is now called Autocraft and has a web site : http://www.autocraft.plus.com/page8.html

Kind regards.

[norri]

very interesting. thanks for pointing that out gents. would probably never has guessed they're fakes

[dinkycollect]

It is probably easy to make out the original Autogiro by Meccano to the repro by DGM as the later was made of white metal which is heavier than zamac.

Also, I was not aware of the difference in axle diameters.

It would be interesting if those who are the lucky and priviledged owners of autogiros would post a picture of the right hand side (star side) of their models indicating the accurate weight and axle diameter of the axle. PLease use metric system. These axles were measured in British Standard Wire Gauge (SWG) which is different from Birmingham Wire Gauge (BWG) or American Wire Gauge (AWG).

The two diameters stated by hovermd of 0.04 and 0.06 in are in fact :
SWG 16 - 0.064 in - 1.626 mm.
SWG 18 - 0.048 in - 1.219 mm.

Kind regards.

Jacques.

[hovermd]

I won't have access to my toy collection for some time... I hope some other Dinky collectors can provide the requested.

[johnbeugels]

I am able to compare some Giros, both Dinky and DGM.
The weight of a Dinky model is approx. 10 gr. DGM white metal approx. 15 gr. The DGM came in blue boxes with the DGM logo on it. Don't know if they still are made.
For the Dinky model two seizes of axle diam. exist. One is 0,9 mm and the other is 1,2 mm. It looks like the models with pilot head have the thicker type axle but have this to check this from the models in my boxes also.

The other question has always been how to detect a model is British or French made. For a long time I only could see this on the prop pin. The British type pin is just sleightly different from the French and only a expirienced eye can see this.
Recently we came across the fact that injection marks of the die are different on the models. The Liverpool models have two marks inside the hull. The Paris produced models have one inside and one on the outer right side, just under the tail. This caused by the different machines used in Liverpool and Paris.
This injection mark outside the model is visible on other pre war 60 models from Meccano France.
So in future it is easy to determine a Autogiro.

John.

[hovermd]

The observations about the injection molds are very interesting - I can't wait to inspect the toys in my collection.

[dinkycollect]

I will be very glad to get a picture of the DGM giro wherever it comes from and whenever it comes.

[hovermd]

I have some photos of a DGM autogiro from my records. Here they are:

DGM 1

DGM 1980s repo of Dinky Cierva Autogiro $1123 1.JPG (10.19 KiB) Viewed 9384 times

DGM 2

DGM 1980s repo of Dinky Cierva Autogiro 2.JPG (10.42 KiB) Viewed 9384 times

DGM 3

DGM 1980s repo of Dinky Cierva Autogiro 3.JPG (10.93 KiB) Viewed 9384 times

It's a darn good copy, but the wheels look too silver to me, like the metal alloy is not right.

There should be more of a brass-like appearance and patina.