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Parts and Changes 1958-64

See also Spare Parts Packaging

Small Parts Boxes and Tins

In all the sales leaflets of this period, the small parts boxes and tins in the outfits appear to be shown incorrectly.  They are either shown in the wrong colour, or with the wrong Meccano logo!  Seems like the Binns Road advertising department didn't know what the factory was doing!

As far as can be ascertained, these are the variations of small parts boxes and tins used in the outfits of the period.

	Cardboard box from the previous period up to 1958.  Although this design was not used in the light red and green period, it is the one incorrectly shown in the 1958 sales leaflets, but see here  (Photo courtesy R. Jaggard)
	Cardboard box design of 1958 only.  This box was shown in almost all the leaflets from 1959 onwards, after the box had been discontinued!  This box was used in outfits up to No.3. (Photo courtesy R. Jaggard)
	Cardboard box included with the early yellow tray sets of 1959.  Note the green outfit number.  This box was shown on the front of the 1960 sales leaflet, again long after the box had been discontinued!
	The outfit number was changed from green to black sometime after June 1959.  This design continued right up to 1964.  This box was by far the most common one, but never appeared in any sales leaflet!
	Cardboard box with cellophane window, used in the 1963 Elektrikit.  The cellophane was easily damaged and often became split during use, rendering the box useless.
	A later variation of the Elektrikit parts box, without the window (date not known, possibly after the light R/G period).
	Gold parts tin used until mid-1960 (red or blue circular labels were used on these tins).  One of these tins was used in outfits 4 to 7.  Outfit 8 had two tins, outfit 9 had three tins, and outfit 10 had five tins.
	Green parts tin introduced in 1960.  Notice the different hairstyle!  This box never appeared in sales leaflets, even though it was the one most commonly used.  Blue circular labels were also used on these tins.  It seems that the blue labels were used for tins containing only nuts and bolts.  See the contents of the five No.10 tins (Courtesy of R. Jaggard).
	The green parts tin was later modified (around 1964) to remove the sharp edges from the lid, and to make it easier for small fingers to open.
	Markings on back of tins show 6MB and 13MB, which probably stood for Metal Box Co. a well known maker of tin cans and boxes who produced tinplate items for Meccano Ltd.  No doubt 6 and 13 were different types of stock tin.  (Thanks to R. Jaggard for this snippet)

     

Braced Girders
	A selection of Braced Girders  in light red.  The double braced types were replaced by the single type (right) in 1962. The three examples on the left are the lengths of Braced Girder that were discontinued in 1962, 4 1/2", 3" and 2 1/2".  These lengths disappeared because the length was incompatible with the new style of bracing. See Spare Parts Packaging for more photos.

   

Steering Wheels
	The four variations of Steering Wheels during the light red/green period.  The small black one was changed to light blue in 1962.  The 3-spoked Steering Wheel was one of the new parts of 1962, introduced in black  This was changed to light blue in 1964. Both Steering Wheels were changed back to black in 1970!  These have zinc as opposed to nickel plated caps.  The zinc caps were introduced sometime around 1968,  so blue Wheels with zinc caps also exist! Despite the impression given in the parts lists of the time, these wheels were not supplied fitted with Axle Rods. The light shade of blue is a bit of a mystery, as no other Meccano part was painted in this colour. But this same colour was also used for the Dinky Ford Anglia police car at about the same time, and probably other Dinky toys as well.
	These Steering Wheels with light blue spokes and black rims were bought from a Meccano dealer around 1962.  Other overpainted examples have also come to light from other dealers.  They were almost certainly produced by the factory, but are a mystery. The black paint has been added over the blue.  Could these have been experimental colours? (photo and information courtesy Joseph N Attard)

New Parts

 There was probably a record number of new parts introduced during the light red and green period.
The parts and items that were introduced into the system are as follows:

Because the colour scheme was to be changed in 1964, the new red and green parts of 1962 would only be produced for two years.  Consequently these parts are now quite rare in their original forms, although reproductions and repaints are fairly common.

Part Deletions

There were very few parts deleted from the system during this period.
The parts and items that were deleted are as follows:

Colour Changes

At the start of the period, all parts that were in medium green, changed to light green (strips, girders, brackets, etc.).  All parts that were in medium red, changed to light red (all plates and circular items, etc.).  The 2" and 3" Pulleys which were in black, changed to blue.  The tinplate Road Wheels which were red with a black tyre, changed to blue with a grey tyre.

Other 1958 colour references:  Rubber tyres were grey since around 1956.  Crank Handle grips were red.  6" Pulley was red, not blue as you might expect.  Hank of Cord was green.  Steering Wheel was black.  Boiler and Ends were red.  Cylinder, Sleeve Piece and Chimney Adaptor were all green.  2 1/2" Triangular Plate was green, not red as you might expect.  Propellor Blade was red with a green tip.  Windmill Sail was light green on dark green.  Ship's Funnel was medium red with a black tip.  No light red Funnels have yet been seen, and it is quite likely that none of these seldom-used parts were produced between 1958 and 1964.
See the full parts list for a complete colour reference.

Zinc plated Meccano is so common today, that many people assume that it has always been zinc plated.  In fact, this finish only dates back to 1967.  Before this, there was no zinc plating on any part, and this includes the whole of the light red and green period.  Silver-coloured parts were nickel plated, which produces a shinier finish, and is more resistant to corrosion.

The parts and items that changed colour during this period are as follows:

 
Although not strictly relevant to this period, here are the parts that changed colour after the Light Red & Green period, in August 1964.
(This is based on a Meccano Factory List dated April 1964)

 
Motors

These were the four motors which were available at the the end of the light red and green period.
The Magic motor was packed in the same style 'M' box as the Emebo from 1962.
(Servicing leaflets courtesy G.Jost)

Magic Clockwork motor M1 (introduced 1935) see servicing leaflet	No.1 Clockwork motor M2 (introduced 1948) see servicing leaflet and repair instructions	E15R Electric motor M3 (introduced 1958)	Emebo Electric motor M4 (introduced 1962) see servicing leaflet

   Click here to see the motors available at the start of the period, in 1958
Motor print Refs.

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