Oscar Felguieras and I were trying to figure out the complete chronology of recent Meccano Mechanisms sets.

Based on catalog information, and sets that we have, we are able to distinguish the following sets:
 

	1970-1977 Binns Dark blue box with silver and yellow details.  Section of car on back of box   Variation 1 - 1970 sample with clear plastic pins  and 1974 sample with white plastic pins   Variation 2 - 1975 sample. Added text: ACCESSORY SET and JEU COMPLEMENTAIRE. With Airfix logo.
	1970-1979 France Navy blue box with gold details.  Section of car on front of box, in top corner
	1980-1985 France Navy blue box with silver, yellow and gold details.  Different font.  Section of larger car on front top corner.
	1986-1987 France Same as above, except now domehead screws and hexagonal nuts (instead of cheesehead and square)
	1988-1989 France Box with red border with navy blue field.  "Keyed" section of car in the center.  Differential and gearbox keyed incorrectly.  Orange vacuform tray.
	1990-1992 France Same as above, except white vacuform tray.  We found 3 variations:   Variation 1 - Differential and gearbox keyed incorrectly.   Variation 2 - Logo showing Meccano AND Hornby, and differential and gearbox keyed incorrectly.   Variation 3 - Differential and gearbox keyed correctly.

We are looking for any and all other variations that may exist, even very minor ones.
 

To our knowledge, none of the French manuals were dated, but there were a few variations, so that helps in determining set date.

Also, I believe the parts were the same for all the French sets in this period. So that leaves the box artwork as the main source of dating info.

Fortunately, there are subtle differences, mainly in the listing of which safety standards the set complies with.

In the following pages are collected what we know so far. In bold letters are missing bits of information.

If you have a mechanism set from this period, please compare it with the ones shown on this website, and see if you have a variation that's not yet included. Look for small differences.

If you discover anything, please contact me privately or through Spanner.

Thanks for your help!

Cheers,

Caspar
 

Last updated 7/4/2005