Greetings from Dyersville.

I’m just back from spending a few days in Germany at the huge Nuremberg International Toy Fair.TOMY has a very nice showroom at Nuremberg where we displayed our new products for 2018.I’m sure some of you are aware that Britains farm toys are part of TOMY, just like Ertl.The William Britains company started making hollow cast figures back in 1893 and produced their first tractor replicas in 1948.

You can view a larger version of the Britians Poster here: http://images.tomy.com/is/content/media/ecatalog/ertl/BritainsPoster_2018.pdf


We have 15 new items coming out for Europe in 1:32 scale including a new tractors from Valtra, JCB, New Holland and others.We’re also bringing back our farmer figures that were a mainstay of the Britains line years ago.I’ve also included the 2018 Britains Collector Poster.Collecting farm toys is a global hobby and I was able to talk to several collectors while I was there.

Last summer I briefly mentioned the barn on our farm.I was able to find some photos I took last Fall.This barn was built by my grandfather and uncles right around 1920.This is a “German Bank Barn” design with two levels. You can see the “bank” going up to the top sliding doors.I’m amazed at the construction methods using wooden pegs to hold everything together.There seem to be fewer and fewer barns in good shape.It’s expensive to keep them maintained when so many farmers don’t have a good reason to use them today.At least with the steel siding we don’t have to paint it to keep it looking nice.





Switching over to product news, the Toy Farmer has just introduced some special units they are doing for 2018.

First is a special 1/16 Allis Chalmers 440 tractor we’re doing to help them celebrate their 40 Anniversary.We don’t have a prototype to show you yet, but this will be one nice unit.This tractor is only available through the Toy Farmer and the Ertl Collector Club.Keep checking our website for more information as soon as it is available.

In addition, we are pleased to announce the two tractors being done for the 2018 National Farm Toy Show.These models include a 1/16 International 886 tractor with cab, and a 1/64 IH 4166 with cab.The IH 4166 is entirely new tooling.We don’t believe this tractor has ever been done in 1/64 scale.The IH 886 features some new engine tooling and detail we haven’t offered before in a IH 886 model.These tractors will be available from the Toy Farmer and your local Case IH dealer.

Until next time.

Bill Walters