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Dublo Dinky Toys
070 AEC Mercury Tanker Shell BP
Dublo Dinky 070 AEC Mercury Tanker Shell BP

Issued 1959-1964   1:76 scale   OO/HO gauge

To expand the variety of models in the Dublo collection, Dinky selected the AEC Shell and BP (British Petroleum) Tanker but chose a vehicle which was probably designed to service aircraft and so would not have been a common sight on British roads. However, it made a chunky toy and a useful addition to the range.

For this model, Dinky followed the usual construction of a single body casting and a black tinplate base which were rivetted together at the rear and under the cab. The body was painted in two colours, a green cab and a red tank with 'Petroleum Products' decals on each side with the Shell and BP logos. Several more features were added to the Tanker including clear windows, a black radiator grille, silver trim on the headlights and bumper, and even daps of orange colour on the rear lights.

The black tinplate base had 'Dublo Dinky Toys AEC Mercury Made in England Meccano Ltd' on it, and interestingly the flanges for the axles were internal which enabled the base to be set low in the body.

Two types of wheels were used on the AEC, grey treaded plastic on the main issue and black treaded plastic on a final batch.

It is possible that a yellow picture box was created for the AEC Tanker but if it exists it is very rare. The main box used for the Tanker was the red and yellow end-flap type without illustrations with the model name and number on both end-flaps.

Because of its size and shape, the AEC Tanker was a play friendly toy and surviving examples are often worn. The grey-wheeled models are widely found but those with black wheels are scarce and will fetch a premium at auction if in good condition.

Dublo Dinky 070 AEC Mercury Tanker Shell BP
Dublo Dinky 070 AEC Mercury Tanker Shell BP

Dublo 070 AEC Tanker variation 1: grey treaded plastic wheels

Dublo Dinky Toys 070 AEC Mercury Tanker

All models had a green cab with windows and a red tank with side decals

1.  GREY treaded plastic wheels

2.  BLACK treaded plastic wheels

Red/yellow end-flap box

photo Vectis Auctions

Dublo 070 AEC Tanker variation 2: black treaded plastic wheels

The real AEC Mercury Tanker

Nicholas Martin Diecast
Benbros, Morestone & Budgie Vintage Toys
Britains Lilliput Vehicles   Kemlows Sentry Box   Dublo Dinky Toys

Abbreviations used on Nicholas Martin Diecast

   

  • umw - unpainted metal wheels

  • pmw - painted metal wheels

  • pw    - plastic wheels

  • gpw  - grey plastic wheels

  • spw  - silver plastic wheels

  • bpw  - black plastic wheels

  • sp     - silver plastic

  • um    - unpainted metal

  • id.     - maker's identification

  • w/wo - with or without

 

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