This DTCA Website was introduced as an additional service to members in late 2009. As can be seen there is also an extensive public section.There was no additional charge to the members and it has been funded out of existing reserves and is supported on a voluntary basis by DTCA members.

The site has an ever increasing archive of content, of new articles written by members who are mainly experienced Dinky Toy Collectors, of scans of archive material; factory drawings, catalogues, archive photographs, past Journals etc.

It also has a Forum to which members can post information. The public is able to read Forum boards and posts.

This article gives some examples of the type and depth of content available on the Members' Section:

Articles:

The Articles Section contains a growing set of information on various series of Dinky Toys from the earliest days. For example, it contains the most in depth information on the early and late O Gauge figures published anywhere and is the result of the authors' interest in accessories and his extensive collection. 

Accessed from the left hand image is a sample article which is an extract from one on the 47 Series, Traffic Signals and Road signs. It just discusses the 47 Series Road signs. These are frequently incorrectly identified as pre- or post war by sellers mainly because as the author has established that the main Dinky Toy reference works are incorrect on the identification.

Click on the image to view the sample article.



Wiki:

The Wiki is an encyclopedia is a resource of general information about Dinky Toys, similar to the Articles section but covering techniques and content general to many Dinky Toys ranges, such as manufacturing processes, tyres wheels etc. This section is still under development. Click on the image to access a sample Wiki entry concerning the dating of pre-war boxed Dinky Toys items.

Document Archive:

One of the objectives of the Association is to bring together as much original Meccano Ltd. literature and information relating to Dinky Toys as possible. This website provides the mechanism for members to access digitised copies of those documents. We are looking at gathering together many categories of information.

This includes: Advertising, Boxes and inserts, factory drawings, instruction leaflets, etc. The images on the left access a catalogue and a factory drawing.



We now have 77 articles covering factory drawings and have already scanned many Dinky Toys and Meccano Catalogues.

The image on the left accesses a scan of assembly drawing for the famous Austin Omnisport Van.

In addition, we are gradually scans of instruction leaflets that members can access and print at full size, box inserts for pre-war boxes etc.



Journal Archive:

In addition to the printed copies of the Journals that the full members receive quarterly, the website also contains an archive of all previous Journals up to about 6 months before the current date. This allows the online members (at a reduced rate) to eventually access the Journals electronically.

The image at the left accesses the full copy of the July 2009 edition.

The Journal has recently been increased in size and now is in full colour on all pages. This means we are no longer be sending an extra short Christmas edition.





In addition, joining allows members to post to the Forum, accesses other information such as a comprehensive bibliography of Dinky Toys publications and all the other member benefits such as discounted Vectis Auction catalogues, collection insurance, access to member auctions and meetings etc.

We hope you have enjoyed the samples above and will consider joining. To access the website in full you need to join (and pay a subscription) and register to use this site.

To Join access the Join, Register, Renew option in the menu.