In 1954, the manual cover illustration was changed from a large blocksetting crane to a large walking dragline excavator. As usual, the scale of the model precluded its construction from even a Set No. 10. But one could dream...
Certainly no instructions were ever published from Binns Road, although over the years enthusiasts made several attempts to build it using the cover illustration alone. Those who did so guessed at the innards, but all commented that the illustration must have been drawn from photographs, as everything fitted as shown.
Fortunately, just prior to the closure of the Binns Road works, Jim Gamble was able to retrieve the original draft instructions from the factory. From the context, it appeared to be one of a proposed post war series of 'Super Models'. Post war economic reality, and the need for an updating of the No. 10 set instructions are probable reasons why it was not released. Ultimately, a leaflet was published by MW Models. These instructions were used to construct the model.
Although a product of the post WWII red and green era, I chose to build it in Yellow, Green and Black parts. The first photo shows the model on exhibition with a temporary boom in zinc. At the time nearly all my long green girders were already in something else! That this was an early stage of construction may be inferred from the lack of a housing. I seem to recall that the punters preferred being able to see the works.
The second photo shows it in operation with the tub on a pile of telephone directories. This was a necessary expedient as it did walk quite effectively, however slowly, and tended to invade adjacent table space!
Finally, a high front three quarter view of the dragline ensconced on the living room coffee table.
