Farm Models consumer leaflet, including the new Tree Series, introduced a year earlier

The most important new line for 1963 was the addition of the long awaited plastic Riding Series, consisting of four mounted models, to supplement the farm series and advertised as having "both boy and girl appeal". Each hand-painted model had a detachable rider and separate saddles and reins in soft plastic.

Other new lines included the addition of walls and hedges to the farm accessories, whilst a Pig Sty with Pig and Piglet was added to the small livestock buildings. A new folding panel Counter Display Box replaced the old triptych style display box. A charming Farm Series leaflet (catalogue SA 37) depicting the range in full colour was also available "from your nearest Britains stockist".

SMALL LIVESTOCK BUILDINGS

4706 Pig Sty with Pig and Piglet

The livestock buildings were completed with this Pig Sty, bubble packed for "sales appeal", issued in assorted colours including white, light or dark grey and grey-green. The self-coloured plastic doors and trough are usually light blue or, less commonly, dark blue or black. The plastic roof and base are either bright red or brick red. Included Pig and Piglet.

This set was withdrawn at the end of 1964, though the Pig Sty continued to be sold loose as 4707 and was still available until 1988.

Deleted: 1988 Rarity rating: A (bubble packed) E (loose)

Rare small livestock building 4706 in original bubble pack. Note the lead mould pink pig, deleted in 1964. Courtesy Steve Pugh

RIDING SERIES

The Riding Series models 2078, 2079 and 2080 retailed at 2s 11d each and were individually boxed, using the same 100/1 cartons used for the Draught Horse and Rider 2081, as follows:

• 1st type: White ‘HERALD SERIES' carton printed with pink and slate grey rectangles, or

• 2nd type: Pink ‘BRITAINS MODELS' carton with white and slate grey rectangles and the new big B logo.

Cartons have a printed contents label applied to one end with the contents wrapped in tissue.

2075 Show Jumper and Rider

Individually packed in a window display carton this "all-action model with detachable rider and separate saddle and harness" retailed at 4s 6d.

The female rider was produced in white plastic and painted with black boots and riding hat, brown hair, flesh face and red riding jacket. A scarce version of this figure was issued in black plastic, painted with tan jodhpurs and white gloves and neckerchief, only available in the 7594 Show Jumping Set.

The horse was only issued in brown plastic, painted with a white blaze and sock to its right front foreleg, black eyes, mane and tail, grey hooves and brick bridle. The underbelly is marked ‘BRITAINS LTD ENGLAND' with a hole to fit the peg of a white plastic gate, which has a detachable green plastic base.

This horse was also available in the show jumping sets 7594 and 7580, fitted with a dark green hard plastic stand, marked ‘BRITAINS LTD' on one side and ‘ENGLAND' on the other, to overcome the various fences that could be built with these sets. The stand itself was also available (without the rider and horse) in the later ‘Show Jumping Fence Set' 1710.

Changed from polythene to pvc plastic from1968 and around the mid-seventies issued with an elastic band for the reins.

Deleted: 1980 Rarity rating: E (or D in carton)

Standard version of 2075 Show Jumper and Horse

2078 Male Rider and Horse

Detachable rider first issued in dark green or light tan plastic, with a movable left arm painted in two colour schemes:

• Green plastic figure is painted with black riding boots, taupe jodhpurs, white shirt and tie, flesh face and hands, brick hair and brick or black crop.

• Tan plastic figure is painted with black riding boots, light grey jodhpurs and shirt, yellow tie, dark brown hair and dark grey cap and crop.

The male rider was issued with a brown plastic hunter horse in one of two positions (see H2103) adapted with a peg fit the rider. The hunter is painted with black mane, tail and eyes, white blaze and sock to leading foreleg, dark grey painted hooves and brick bridle. Marked with small ‘BRITAINS LTD ENGLAND' on underbelly. Also includes separate two-piece plastic saddle and harness.

From 1968 the male rider was remodelled in light brown or black pvc with a fuller figure, with moulded stirrups on his boots. Both the light brown and black pvc figures have grey jodhpurs and white shirt and tie. The light brown figure also has black boots, hair and riding crop, whilst those of the black pvc figure are dark brown.

At this time, the male rider's horse changed to pvc, available in white, black or brown new plastic with a fully painted brick harness and marked with large ‘BRITAINS LTD ENGLAND' on its underbelly. Replaced with a new 2105 Hunter horse from 1972 and, subsequently, 2114 Holstein Horse from 1977.

Deleted: 1992 Rarity rating: E (boxed white or pink carton: D)

Male Rider and Horse, with riders in early paint schemes

Female Rider and Horse, rare brick colour P.V.C. horse, right, from 7580 Show Jumping Set and Game

2079 Female Rider and Horse

Detachable rider first issued in grey or black plastic, with a movable left arm painted in two colour schemes:

• Grey plastic figure has black riding boots, riding hat and tip of riding crop, brick hair and jodhpurs, white blouse, flesh face and buff gloves.

• Black plastic figure has buff jodhpurs and white blouse and gloves.

Issued with a tan plastic hunter horse in a choice of two poses (see H2103) adapted to include a peg to fit hole in rider. The tan horse is painted with dark grey eyes and hooves, buff colour mane and tail, white blaze and sock to leading foreleg and brick colour bridle. Marked ‘BRITAINS LTD ENGLAND' on underbelly. Also includes separate two-piece plastic saddle and harness.

The Hunter horse with female rider is also found in the 7580 and 7594 show jumping sets in rare light brown plastic, painted with buff mane and tail.

From 1968 the female rider was remoulded in light or dark brown pvc, with thicker legs and moulded stirrups on boots. This figure was painted with sandy colour jodhpurs, white shirt and gloves and black painted hair, boots and tip of riding crop.

The hunter changed from polythene to pvc in brown, white or black plastic, with a fully painted brick bridle and marked with large ‘BRITAINS LTD ENGLAND'. Replaced with a new Hunter horse 2105 from 1972 and, subsequently, 2113 Arabian horse from 1977.

Deleted: 1992 Rarity rating: E (boxed white or pink carton: D)

P.V.C. male and female riders with scarce late white and black P.V.C. Hunter horses

2080 Young Rider and Pony, including rare late rider in pale blue P.V.C. pigtails extended

2080 Young Rider and Pony

Detachable rider issued in firstly, light brown or, secondly, dark brown polythene, with a movable left arm and riding crop in right hand. The girl's plaits are moulded to her shoulders and jacket has two vents. Two paint schemes:

• Light brown figure has slate grey jodhpurs, black riding hat and tip of riding crop, white shirt and neckerchief, flesh face and hands and buff hair in plaits.

• Dark brown figure has beige jodhpurs and plaits, white shirt, neckerchief and gloves.

The light brown figure appears to have been replaced with the dark brown polythene figure around 1965.

Issued with a white plastic pony, unique to this model and only ever produced in white plastic, with a peg to fit hole in rider. The pony is painted with dark brown eyes and halter, grey painted mane, tail and hooves. Marked ‘BRITAINS LTD ENGLAND' on underbelly. Separate two-piece plastic saddle and harness.

From 1968 the young rider switched from polythene to dark brown or, more unusually, pale blue pvc plastic. The figure was re-modelled around this time with the girl's plaits now almost at right angles to her head, larger riding hat, thinner right arm, a tie replacing the neckerchief and a single centre vent to jacket. Both are painted with a black riding hat, white shirt, tie and gloves, beige plaits and jodhpurs. The scarcer pale blue pvc figure, issued only briefly, has black boots and riding crop whilst those of the dark brown pvc figure are unpainted.

The white pony also changed from polythene to pvc plastic, painted with either light grey or grey-green mane, tail and hooves. Later, an elastic band was used for the reins and the separate plastic stirrups discontinued. The Young Rider and Pony remained in the catalogue until 1990.

Deleted: 1989 Rarity rating: E (pale blue rider: C)

FARM ACCESSORIES

1726 Stone Wall

This interlocking dry-stone wall section proved very popular since it could be used to make a continuous wall or enclosure and, the following year, was included in the later 1736 Gate, Stile and Stone Wall accessory pack.

Deleted: 1989 Rarity rating: E

Packaging for 1730 Farm Hedges and 1736 Stone Wall Accessory Pack

1730 Farm Hedges

A packet of four hedges ready to assemble into realistic three-dimensional proportions; each hedge consists of a base, six large foliage pieces and six smaller grass verge pieces.

This self-assembly model became one of the cornerstones of the farm series and its versatility made it suitable for the Zoo and Floral Miniature Garden Series. Packaged in an open white carton with green and black printed design, the farm hedges were one of the most enduring of the farm accessories.

Deleted: 1988 Rarity rating: E

FARM DISPLAY BOX

7569 Counter Display Box (91 pieces)

This new folding farm box, measuring 27" x 18", with a dust-proof front, contained the full range of ninety-one farm models, including the new Stone Wall and Farm Hedges. Each individual model has its catalogue number printed below it. Retailing at 100 shillings each this counter display box was very expensive - no wonder few have survived! Withdrawn at the end of 1964.

Deleted: 1964 Rarity rating: B

Tags: Intro to Britains Plastic Farm Models, Figures and Toy Soldiers