Simplicity Meccano Model of a `Dragline' 1930 The Original Model Was Awarded first prize in the 1930 Christmas Simplicity Model building competition for competitors under 14 years of age.
The model as originally built has a number of interesting features which include rotating jib, lift and drag to the dragline and rotating wheels.
It is reproduced here in original dark red & green parts of the period.
The chassis has been modified to give more strength and washers used to protect the paintwork but otherwise much as original.
The model is however a bit of an enigma, though awarded first prize the drag bucket is made from a Dredger Bucket which appears to have corner lugs in which form it was not issued. The bucket on this model has had washers soldered to the corners to provide lugs by Rob Mitchell.
'Frank Hornby' described it as 'The most creditable work' in the results section published in the May 1931 Meccano Magazine. He also went on at length enthusing over the model - he appears to have completely overlooked the use of a modified bucket which is crucial to the model but it was not issued by Meccano as shown!
Model competition results were often repeated in the books of new or prize models issued between 1928 - 1934, many of the models were later included in the Meccano manuals and were a good source of new models.