Matchbox/Lesney 69b; Hatra Tractor Shovel

The Tractor Shovel is a Hatra. Try searching for the full size item in Google and you only get Matchbox. Persistence and some messing about turned up only two references to Hatra tractors. One was a pdf of a hydraulic pump manual and the other a second hand loader for sale in Poland. Presumably then the Hatra is a little known eastern European tractor maker. Matchbox on the other hand made millions of them from its introduction in 1965. The tractor was originally orange and then later it was yellow, wheels can be orange, yellow or red, tyres can be grey or black.

The Tractor Shovel, 69b, was added to the range in 1965 and deleted in 1969. The common version is all over yellow with yellow hubs, slightly less common is all over orange with orange hubs. The ones to look out for though are where the digger and the body are different colours. Orange body with a yellow shovel is really the one to find. Mis-matched wheel and body combinations are sought after but do not have the same huge premium.
 

Matchbox/Lesney 69b; Hatra Tractor Shovel; Yellow With Yellow Shovel	Matchbox/Lesney 69b; Hatra Tractor Shovel; Orange, Red Wheels

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Last Edit: 12/06/2024		Page Added 14/03/21