BAYKO Parts List - 1945 to 1946

Firstly, a caveat - this section is based almost entirely on the unearthing, at Christmas, 2016, by Chris Boutal of his post-war, 'New Series' BAYKO set #1. With that in mind, we've no evidence [yet?] that any of the larger sets or the conversion sets were actually manufactured during this restricted period.

There had been occasional talk [about which I must confess to having been a sceptic] of 'New Series' set production having continued after the war - well, clearly it did - guess who was wrong!

► The set box [left, and right below] screams post-war austerity, and is very different to the pre-war ones. The complete lack of an internal cardboard structure, and the 'coffin' shape were both hallmarks of early pre-war BAYKO.

► However, both the main box label, and the smaller side label, clearly reflect the style used on all the pre-war 'New Series' sets. If you click anywhere on the image [left] you will launch a larger image which will make it much easier to see the side label.

► The set contents clearly comprise parts made from post-war plastic, never seen pre-war. The apple green colour of the Bases, and the fact that they're not mottled; the bright apple green colour of the Windows and Doors; the strong colour of the various red Bricks; and the unreinforced rear of the End Bricks with the part number 27 not obscured; all point to an early post-war pedigree.

► However, the manual included, is very much in the pre-war mould - but with modifications.

I can only conclude that, perhaps in a gung ho spirit of, “Let's just get something out there and sell it.”, Plimpton wanted to make the best use of their [then] rationed and residual resources to get BAYKO back into toy shops as soon as possible. So when did this production begin? There is one printed clue as to when the first post-war sets were produced. It can be found on a Parts Price List, in postcard form, which was franked on July 2nd, 1945, and includes the legend, “Complete sets available Shortly”…

The set contents [below] are based entirely on the manual enclosed with the set [left, below], and the slightly later final 'New Series' version. They are identical to the pre-war sets, and, indeed, they used the same printer's plate…

For the record, and to provide you with a little further proof, the metallic accessory parts from the set are held in a draw-string, cloth [linen?] bag [right] with the relevant set contents list of parts actually printed on the front of it, which tallies with the manual's set contents list.

It's a little difficult to read the printing on this much-handled bag, but, if you click anywhere on the image, you'll launch a larger image which you should be able to read more easily - all will become clear!

Before we get to the actual contents list, I feel I should, perhaps, return to the theme of the uncertainty aspect of the immediate post-war period.

We know that the next period, 1946 to 1948, unveiled a completely new range of sets, #0 to #3…

We know that, probably in 1946, the decision was taken to add the new entry level set, set #0.

However, an early post-war Canadian flier implies that this would create the range sets #0 to #6.

In addition, there's a slightly later [?] support leaflet, included with the [then] new range of sets in 1946, which references the range of BAYKO sets as being sets #0 to set #5…

I mention these as an indication of the somewhat confusing changes of direction which Plimpton went through in such a short period of time. However, in their defence, we should bear in mind the intense austerity and rationing they were having to steer through - which itself minimised the printed documentation we normally rely on to help untangle such mysteries.

Whatever the subsequent moves, we should bear in mind that, for this period, we only have the one post-war 'New Series' set [set #1] to go on, even though the full contents list is included in the manual, and its successor.

However, it really is a little disconcerting just how often there turns out to be an 'however', thanks to Roger Spendlove, we are perhaps beginning to find some evidence of larger Post-War 'New Series' sets.

Roger has sent me the image [left] of a linen bag used for Rods and other accessories, which has been printed with the contents of a 'New Series' set #3! We know, in deed are reasonably familiar with, such bags from the 1946 to 1948 period, so it's easy to accept them in this limited new context.

It looks like I'm going to have to rifle through my stock of such bags, on the off chance that I too might have been blind to the evidence that was right before my eyes - it wouldn't be the first time! I have now found a bag just like the one in Roger's image!

Non-the-less, it is, perhaps, beginning to look like there may well have been a broader range of Post-War 'New Series sets…

…however, here I go again, because it is possible, as part of the impact of austerity in the early months of the war, that such linen bags were introduced earlier, i.e. pre-war, which would, of course, automatically have broadened the range of sets involved.

I must point out that I have no evidence for such a hypothesis, I am just being cautious and eagerly awaiting further evidence - perhaps you could help…