Modelling Shop

We know from the earliest days of Plimpton Engineering, that they made substantial models for large toy fairs, such as the British Industries Fair...

...there being two examples shown on Pages 70 and 71 [left] of the sets #1 to #6 manuals from the mid 1930s.

The model of the Speke Airport building was also a later example from the 1950s.

'Games and Toys', a major publication for the U.K. toy trade, carried a relevant advert in its October, 1953 edition [right]. Towards the bottom left hand corner of the advert, Plimpton carried the offer : -

Although some models are shown in the advert, I don't think we should assume these were the models concerned.

There is a limit to what we can conclude with absolute certainty from these small details, however, I think it is clear that Plimpton must have had a facility, of some sort, for producing significant numbers of models.

I'm afraid that's as far as it goes for the Plimpton era, but if you've any further information, I'd love to hear from you...

Fortunately, I now have a little information about the BAYKO modelling shop after the MECCANO takeover. This is thanks to a chance meeting at the Frank Hornby Exhibition which takes place annually at Maghull town hall, Liverpool.

That was where I met Rita Clay, nee Ryan, who worked for some time in the MECCANO modelling shop, alongside her future husband, building BAYKO models...

...larger ones for toy industry fairs like Nuremberg and Chicago or large department store special displays and small ones for toy shops.

The MECCANO modelling shop, which included BAYKO, was managed by Bob Moy who, she said, was a generous, kind, 'Father Christmas' of a man. He designed the models and a team of up to eight people made them. Bob was very supportive, and was very much hands on in his style, particularly if any model builder was struggling at any point.

One thing Rita told me that made me feel more comfortable with my own efforts - they routinely used glue to ensure the BAYKO models arrived in pristine condition.

The modelling shop was, in the early 1960s, initially located at Hanson Road, Aintree, but moved, shortly after the BAYKO takeover, to Binns Road. Next to the MECCANO and BAYKO model making area was a separate cage where model railway layouts were built, with Bob Taylor's photographic studio at the other end.

I hope you find that interesting, if you have any more information on either the Plimpton or MECCANO era modelling shops, then I'd love to hear from you...

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