Veloce Publishing Ltd.

Pocket Guide to Britain’s Farm Model Balers and Combines: 1967-2007

by David Pullen

Reviewed By Brian R. Baker, IPMS #43146

MSRP: $33.95 USD ISBN: 987-1-84584-194-2 Website: www.veloce.co.uk Available from Veloce Publishing Ltd., 33 Trinity St., Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1TT England This small but very well produced volume is not about modeling, but rather model collecting. It begins with a history of the hobby of toy soldier and implement collecting, and how it developed from the 19th Century onwards. William Britain began making high quality metal toys in the 1850's, in several scales, but eventually settled on 1/32 scale. After World War II, the product line expanded, with tractors and other agricultural equipment being depicted in small but highly detailed cast metal and plastic models. With the development of agricultural technology, Britain's firm began producing, in addition to tractors and tractor-drawn farm equipment, models of self-propelled harvesters, combines, and balers. This book outlines the various types of models produced, including such famous names as Case, John Deere, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Bamford, and Vicon, as well as many others. The book catalogs and describes each of the products of this company between the years 1967 through 2007, including technical details and colorful illustrations. Some of these were working models that could actually perform mini-scale agricultural functions. The company, however, went the way of many model producers during this time period, but during the 1990's, restructuring and ownership changes resulted in relocation of the firm, with eventual production ending up overseas, although product development remained in the UK. Many of these exquisite models are still in production, but most current products are made in China. Highly recommended if you are a fan of agricultural models, and I understand that this is a pretty big hobby in some parts of the world. Thanks to IPMS/USA and Veloce Publishing (sales@veloce.co.uk) for the review copy.