Meccano France's 2004 catalogue contains a few surprises and much of the "same again". These sets should be arriving in New Zealand from September onward. Last month Toyworld Wellington City was selling 2003 sets at greatly reduced prices.

At the bottom of the scale is a new plastic series called Meccano Heroes. 13 sets. Very Lego looking, for age 4+ children. The 13 set Yoocans continues with some new characters. The plastic City series has new models and new subjects topped by a realistic Land Yacht and a Concrete Mixer Truck.

Coming to the more "metallic" sets, the Design series now has six "starter" sets which include some of the flexible parts. At the top end of this series is a sophisticated, radio controlled SUV vehicle with a high wheel base.

The Multi Model sets are here again, beginning with the 2511-12-13 two model sets (GBP 5.99 in the U.K.) and going up to the 9550 (GBP 55.99).These models are mostly the same as in past years. Future Masters seems to have disappeared.

Then we come to the Special Edition Building Construction sets, 0509 to 0513 (GBP 69.99). They seem to be all metal and can build such edifices as the Eiffel Tower or London's Tower Bridge. The other two Special Edition sets - the Crane and the Locomotive are still featured. Each is GBP 59.99. There is also an all-metal Ferris Wheel (GBP 29.99). Crazy Inventors models re-appear, with the addition of a clock.

For modellers in metal, the Design series offers the most hope and the SUV is worth considering, while the Buildings sets offer a lot of metal parts to play with. The prices quoted are from MW Models Newsletter.

I have mentioned this previously - the only sets directed at modellers older than 15 years are the Crazy Inventors models - "8 to 88 years".  Does this say something about Meccano France's attitude to we older modellers??