Matchbox 4a; Massey Harris Tractor

What a splendid little model, it is so tiny, yet so well detailed. The back wheels have 'Made in England by Lesney' cast into the tyres, 'Massey Harris' is cast into both sides of the fuel tank, the engine detail is superb. A fine piece of modelling. I was really pleased too to get it with almost everything still there, the only bit missing is the draw hook.

There were two issues of this tractor; 4a and 4b. This is the first release, 4a, which was first made in 1954, 4b, the second release came out in 1957 and remained in production until 1960. The easiest way to tell them apart is the mudguards. Only the first one had them, with a total disregard for driver safety they were omitted from the second release. The second one also has a separately cast driver and is a hollow casting, it also has solid front wheels rather than these nicely authentic spokes.

The tractor was always red, early ones have gold detailing. The rare one is the second release (4b) with plastic wheels. With either wheel style though the second release is generally harder to find than the first version.