D
Daimler
The Daimler Motor Syndicate was formed in 1893 by F. R. Simms and two years later produced its first car. In 1896 the name became the Daimler Motor Company, producing its first commercial vehicle the following year. There was no connection with the Daimler-Benz company in Germany.

In 1910 Daimler was acquired by the BSA Group, and then sold to Jaguar in 1960.

There was very little production of trucks, most of the output being concentrated on buses and cars. However, one exception was the ambulance: for many years the Daimler chassis was used for a large number of ambulances.

There are several toys available of the Daimler DC27 ambulance, although probably the best known is that from Dinky Toys, first released in 1950: it exists in both civilian and military versions. Other toys ranges that included this ambulance are Matchbox '1 - 75', Benbros, Budgie, Tri-ang Minic (push and go) and Zebra Toys.

While the range of Daimler cars has been fairly extensive, models of Daimler cars are not plentiful, but as is so often the case the Tri-ang Spot-On range offered the more unusual, and included the SP250 'Dart'.

Days Gone, Models of
The range launched by Lledo in 1983. These were seen as a challenge to the Matchbox Models of Yesteryear series, in that the prototypes chosen were similar to certain early Yesteryear releases. Equally the same basic concept was adopted of not being concerned about a uniform scale, as long as the models fitted a standard box. The price was lower than that of Yesteryears.

This resemblance is hardly surprising, given that the founder of Lledo, Jack Odell, had been instrumental in the concept of Models of Yesteryear.

Of the first six releases, five were of horse-drawn vehicles, while the sixth was the Model T Ford van. This latter proved particularly successful, with different liveries amounting to hundreds, and total production exceeding one million.

The first models were provided with a set of appropriate, unpainted figures on a sprue. Part of the reasoning was that these kept the model more firmly in place within its box.

Later these figures were dropped, and as a result a separate driver was provided for the horse-drawn vehicles in the range.

During the life of many of the models, the specifications were improved with such as internal fittings (seating, etc) and the addition of windows.

As these models found such favour for use with promotions, a separate 'Promotionals' range was established, using the same basic dies, albeit the baseplates generally provide the distinction between Models of Days Gone and those that are Promotionals.

Certain of the Days Gone dies have also been used for other series such 'Fantastic Set O' Wheels' and models distributed by the Dutch company Edocar.

As more modern vehicles were introduced into the range, so these were at first given the designation of Vanguards. Soon after the 'Vanguards' name was used for a separate series of scale cars and commercials.

Certain of the Days Gone models have been produced under special licence: this has either involved the vehicles modelled (eg, Rolls Royce) or the brand depicted (eg, Coca-Cola). For a time these were given a special designation of 'Special Licence' and were separately numbered, albeit still part of the Days Gone range.

Following a change of ownership of Lledo, and subsequent receivership, the Days Gone brand name and dies were acquired by Corgi Classics at the end of 1999. The 'Models of Days Gone' brand is being continued.

DCMT
Die Casting Machine Tools Ltd have been extensive producers of toys since the Second World War, although in fact introduced the names of Lone Star Products and Slikka Playthings just prior to the war. The company was founded in 1939 by Aubrey Mills and Sidney Ambridge, and was based in Palmers Green in north London. It was the originator of a fully automated die-casting machine using zinc alloy.

At one time DCMT was involved with Crescent Toys: Crescent distributed, while DCMT produced. The result was an interesting selection of toys, introduced in 1947, including a fire engine with a mechanism which raised and extended the ladder as the fireman climbed up. Note that most of these toys were sold unboxed.

When the two companies split in 1949 (and Crescent moved to Wales), DCMT continued to sell the toys previously marketed jointly, using for some the brand name of Slikka Toys. In the early 1950s the brand name of Lone Star became widespread, producing toy soldiers and long associated with the souvenir market in London. Expansion saw a move to Hatfield in Hertfordshire in 1955.

It also produced toys for other companies, and during 1960 the company produced four American cars for Tootsietoys in America.

The company was later acquired by a German operation.

Decal
The decoration on a model, such as number plates, advertisements, and so on. These will not be painted, but will be applied in the form of tampo printing, stickers or transfers.

Dennis
While Dennis Brothers, based at Guildford in Surrey, started life in 1901 producing cars and bicycles, their production soon turned to trucks. During both wars the company was used for production of both vehicles and other essential goods.

However, the name of Dennis is most associated with fire engines and buses. Likewise models available are of fire engines and of the modern buses, namely the Dart and Trident. For a time Alexander, Dennis and Plaxton combined their expertise in the bus industry to create Transbus, but the partnership has subsequently split, but Dennis is now part of Alexander Dennis Ltd.

Deoma
A small range of die-cast toys made in Italy, these consisted mainly of military vehicles (although a civilian version was often also produced). Many seen to be imitations of similar Dinky Toys.

Detailing
For many, the limitations forced on manufacturers to keep pricing reasonable mean that the models do not incorporate sufficient detail. The necessary modifications and additions are therefore undertaken by the purchaser to make the models more accurate.

Diamond T
Based in Chicago, the Diamond T company was founded by Charles Tilt and took its name from the Diamond Brand Shoe Company, owned by Tilt's father. At first cars were produced, from 1905, but the first truck was produced in 1910. A Diamond T of 1950's vintage forms part of the Corgi Classics range.

Diapet
Range of die-cast models produced in Japan by Yonezawa.

Die-casting
Die-casting involves injecting a mixture of magnesium, aluminium and zinc (known as mazak), at high temperature, into a carefully engineered mould. The mould will form both faces of the component to be produced.

Die-casting has the advantage of low cost materials, although the engineering costs for the die can be high.
(See also hollow casting, metal fatigue.)

Dinky Collection
The name of Dinky Toys was acquired by Matchbox Toys. At first Matchbox attached the name to a selection of its Miniatures, while considering the direction Dinky should take. The decision was to produce 1/43rd scale cars and small commercials (a Mercedes coach being an exception) of the 1960s onwards, aimed to complement the existing Models of Yesteryear range. These 1/43rd scale models were branded as 'The Dinky Collection'.

As Matchbox changed ownership so the role of Dinky Toys was re-assessed. Indeed, for a time it was not clear which models might be designated as Dinky. With the advent of Matchbox Collectibles, it was decided that all cars and articulated trucks produced by Matchbox for the collector's market would be branded as Dinky. However, the current owners of the Matchbox brand have virtually abandoned the collector's market, except for a few items, aimed at adult collectors, and mainly in the United States.

Dinky Toys
Frank Hornby had launched his O gauge tin plate Hornby Trains in 1920, and later, in 1931, added a series of station staff sold under the brand of Modelled Miniatures. In 1933, a selection of vehicles was added. These proved so popular that by the following year the range had grown to 150.

Various further names were tried: Meccano Miniatures; Meccano Dinky Toys; and then finally, in 1934, Dinky Toys.

Popular scales for Dinky Toys have been 1/43rd for the cars, 1/59th for the military vehicles, 1/200th for aircraft and 1/1800th for ships.

Initially there were not individual boxes for the toys, which were packed in retailer's boxes of six (often containing an assortment of colours). Such trade boxes can still be found. Individual boxes came in the late 1940s, although the ships were always provided in attractive boxes with a design simulating the sea.

The early success of Dinky Toys came to an abrupt halt as a result of the war: the factory went over to production of items needed for the war.

One interesting item produced was a pendant in the design of a Spitfire sold to raise the money to buy an actual Spitfire for the war effort.

Within the Dinky Toys range pre-war was a dolls house, with requisite furniture. Very popular were the aircraft, doubtless as they mirrored the development of aviation. Ships were equally popular, and noteworthy at the time was the introduction of the model of the Queen Mary almost coincidental with her launch in September 1934.

In the early years Dinky Toys were divided into a number of series (beware of metal fatigue on the pre-war toys)..

The first was the 22 Series, a range of vehicles that had previously formed the Modelled Miniatures range.

Next came the 23 Series of racing cars, inspired by such as 'Speed of the Wind' and 'Thunderbolt'. The 24 Series was motor cars (plus an ambulance); the 25 Series was commercial vehicles (including a fire engine).

The 28 Series comprised the delivery van from the 22 Series, but carrying a variety of trade names. Three types exist of the 28 Series: the first has a rather square body resembling a Morris; the second is more curved, similar to a Ford; the third shows a change to the front and rear mudguards.

The 30 Series was of more motor vehicles, including a Rolls Royce. The 31 Series comprised mechanical horses and their trailers (in pre-nationalisation railway company liveries). The 35 Series was of cars suitable for OO gauge model railways (even though these were introduced in 1936, two years before Hornby Dublo trains). The 36 Series was of cars (now with drivers), including a taxi. The 38 Series was of open sports cars; the 39 Series of United States saloon cars.

Public transport featured strongly in the range, including a tram, a central entrance bus and a Holland Coachcraft streamlined coach. However, most famous of all has to be the double deck bus (29c, 290, 291), more to 1/76th scale, which remained in the range for years, with different styles of radiator and different colour schemes.

Various other items such as road signs, a garage, AA, RAC and Royal Mail vehicles completed the picture.

Following the war, production resumed, initially with many of the items that had previously been seen pre-war. Additions were made at a steady pace, including many cars, not always solely of UK origin, with Germany, United States, Scandinavia, France and Italy being represented.

A tie-up with Triumph saw the simultaneous launch of the model and actual Triumph Herald. Certain relevant cars were produced in what are known as 'Triumph' colours for the company: these are very rare.

The advantage of the commercial vehicle was not totally lost on Dinky, with a selection of liveries possible. Small commercials included the Trojan, Bedford 10cwt, Austin A40 and Morris J vans.

The introduction of Dinky Supertoys in the late 1940s saw the release of larger toys, with again several commercials such as the Guy Vixen and Big Bedford, plus the Foden tanker.

Indeed, post-war the range of toys was vast, and covered most boys' interests. Public transport still featured, with the Routemaster and two versions of the Leyland Atlantean being produced, among others.

During the 1950s onwards Dinky Toys was to find itself under threat to the dominant position it had held in the toy market. New brands were emerging, offering added features. Dinky Toys was not always quick to respond, although gradually ideas such as windows, suspension and finger-tip steering were introduced.

Some ideas hardly took off: for example, a launch in 1/25th scale saw just one release, a Ford Capri.

More successful were the toys with a television or film connection, such as the Thunderbirds' items.

As a company, challenges were faced from Tri-ang competing with Hornby Dublo, while the acquisition of the building material system Bayko coincided with the launch of Lego. Inevitably a take-over occurred, in 1963 by Lines Bros, the owners of Tri-ang, the new company being known as Meccano-Triang.

An interesting result of this take-over was a series of six American cars produced in Hong Kong. These were to 1/42nd scale and had been originally planned as part of Tri-ang's own Spot-On range.

Two ranges were planned by Tri-ang. One was of 1/32nd scale American military vehicles: however, only two were produced, namely a Jeep and Volkswagen KDF. The second was a series of 1/65th scale cars, produced in Hong Kong and aimed to challenge the supremacy of Matchbox Toys in this market: only ten of the so-called Mini-Dinky range was produced (at first the name envisaged was Car Lines).

Another proposed project was a 1/133rd scale series of earth moving equipment: this never saw production.

The problems continued and the new company went into liquidation in 1971. The company name was changed to Masford Ltd, then to Meccano (1971) Ltd, and later sold to Airfix Industries.

The Airfix years were not over successful, with emphasis being placed on high-profit toys which did not always have great appeal.

In November 1979 came the news that Binns Road was to close.

It should, however, be remembered that production of Dinky Toys was not confined to Liverpool, nor in addition to France and Hong Kong. There was a factory at Speke, and production was also undertaken in Denmark and Spain. In addition, many dies, when redundant, were sold to Nicky Toys in India, whose productions are often confused with Dinky Toys.

Mention should also be made of the period when unpainted components were sent to South Africa, where they were painted and assembled. The so-called South African colours are rare.

The Dinky story does not end there. After the collapse of Airfix the Dinky Toys name was owned by Kenner-Parker, from whom it was acquired in 1987 by Matchbox Toys, at the time part of Universal Toys (see Dinky Collection).

Dioramas
These are appropriate settings in which to place one or more models, so that they appear as if in natural surroundings. Occasionally models are sold complete with a suitable diorama. In addition, many enthusiasts like to create their own dioramas on which to show their models to best advantage.

Display cabinets
Probably the ideal way of displaying a collection. Display cabinets are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes, so can be acquired to house most collections, whatever the scale of model collected. Glass shelves and lighting can enhance the display of the collection.

Likewise glass doors keep out the dust. Dust and the risk of accidental damage are clearly the disadvantages of simply placing models on unprotected shelves.

Display cabinets can often be viewed as part of the furniture or decor of a room (but keep out of sunlight, even indirect sunlight), and are nowadays frequently available 'customised' to the theme of the collection.

Most prefer not to include the boxes and other packaging within the cabinet. Such boxes must be retained, and should be stored carefully, and under the right conditions.

Many are surprised - perhaps disappointed - that their collections are so large even several cabinets are insufficient to display all. A rotation system can provide variety to what is displayed, but remember to store items not on display correctly. (See Storage.)

Dodge
Dodge was started in the United States by the brothers John and Horace Dodge: the British operation was founded in 1922 at Fulham. In 1929 Dodge was acquired by the Chrysler Corporation, and production moved to Kew. In 1965 the Rootes Group took over Dodge; ironically, later Chrysler was to acquire Rootes.

There are few models of Dodge vehicles, whether cars or trucks: examples are found from Corgi, Dinky and Matchbox Toys. (See also Chrysler.)

Doepke
American company, founded by brothers Charles and Frederick Doepke, which moved into toy production at the end of 1945. Noted for models of heavy construction equipment and fire engines, plus sports cars from the 1950s, one based on an MG TD Midget, another on a Jaguar XK120.

Dublo Dinky Toys
A number of Dinky Toys were specifically produced to 1/76th scale for use with the Hornby Dublo (and similar) OO gauge model railway systems. However, they proved not too popular, competing as they were with the inexpensive Matchbox Toys, many of which were compatible with OO gauge model railways. As a result production only lasted from 1957 to 1960.

Dugu
A range produced in Italy from the early 1960s. From the outset, the focus was on accuracy and attention to detail. The company is also credited with having come up with the idea of the 'limited edition', produced with the intention of only being offered to members of the Dugu collectors club.

The items produced were mainly cars, including vehicles housed in a motor museum in Turin. These were to 1/43rd scale (although some reference books contend that certain of the models were to 1/50th scale). Also produced were some tractors and a few trucks.

Dunbee-Combex-Marx
Started in 1946 by Richard Beecham and Basil Feldman, manufacturing in plastics; in the late 1950s the company wished to expand into toys. In 1960 they acquired Combex, and as Dunbee-Combex went public in 1962. In 1967 they bought the British part of Louis Marx, and in 1972 acquired Rovex Ltd (Hornby and Scalextric) from the receivers of Lines Brothers.

However, financial problems set in, and in 1980 Dunbee-Combex-Marx went into receivership.

Durham Classics
The history of Durham Classics in many respects takes over in Canada where Brooklin left off. The founder of Durham Classics, Julian Stewart, was brought up near Croydon in Surrey, and later moved to Canada. There he joined the Canadian Toy Collectors Society, of which John Hall, founder of Brooklin, had been a member.

John Hall returned to England, and fully developed the Brooklin brand.

In 1980 Julian produced his first model, a Chrysler Airflow, and in 1986, encouraged by his wife Margaret, started to concentrate solely on the production of Durham Classics Automotive Miniatures. The 1/43rd scale white metal models naturally focus on North American prototypes.

 

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