Dinky Toys were produced by Frank Hornby of the legendary Meccano Toy Company beginning in the 1930's. Originally intended as accessories for Hornby Trains; signs, people, cars, animals and rolling stock were produced in O scale (1:43 and 1:48). Popularity caused the range to expand to a range including miniature airplanes, trucks, buses, even briefly dolls' houses and furniture.
Collector's may specialize in a single range (airplanes), a particular type of product (gift sets), or a single variant (flying boats). Other collectors specialize in packaging.
Dinky toys were meant to be played with, which means they are rare in mint condition. Some airplanes were sold with holes in the top for gliding clips which could be attached to a string to swing the plane about. These models often show signs of use!
Classic Dinky Toy production ceased in the 1970's. A Dinky variant, Nicky toys, continued to be produced in India for a time.
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- Start Collecting Dinky ToysRange of Dinky Toys on a show table
- Important Points for Dinky Toy CollectorsDinky Toy Airplanes and Military Vehicles at the Victoria Toy Show
- Things to Check For Before Buying Dinky ToysDie cast Dinky Toy airplanes with missing parts and misformed parts from metal fatgue
- Watch For Rare Color CombinationsRare two tone yellow/gold color combination on an original Dinky Toy Empire Flying Boat
- French Dinky Toy AirplanesFrench Dinky Toy airplanes in their original gift box with a bright yellow background
- Dinky Toy King's AirplaneBlue, red and silver Dinky Toy king's airplane in original souvenir box.
- Rare Dinky Toy Trade Boxsix mint condition spitfires in a plain cardboard Dinky Toy vendor box
- Rare Dinky Toy Box for the Avro VulcanRare original box for a Dinky Toy Avro Vulcan Model
- Gift Set of Dinky Toy Medium BombersDinky Toy Medium Bombers in Their Original Packaging.
- Dinky Toy AutogirosThree Dinky Toy Autogiros in Assorted Original Paint Schemes
- Dinky Toy Color VariationsThree Dinky Toy RAF Whitley Bombers showing color and roundel variations.
- Variations in a single moldSeveral color and model variations of Dinky Toy Empire Flying Boats
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