Britains Pelicans, beak open - 1st and 2nd editions compared

https://toyanimal.info/wiki/Britains_Plastic_Pelican_Open_Beak

Just noted that the one illustrated in TAW is the 2nd version.

Thanks again Chris! I love these charts, they are very useful.
I don't use to edit too much the Britains section but I fixed it according with your posts. I used the ditor style, calling vintage to the older versions and plastic to the newer. I think the newer are known as Detail among Britains collectors, aren't they? Though, I don't dare to change it all!
We miss now a picture of the vintage pelican, can I use yours, Chris?

Roger wrote:

Thanks again Chris! I love these charts, they are very useful.
I don't use to edit too much the Britains section but I fixed it according with your posts. I used the ditor style, calling vintage to the older versions and plastic to the newer. I think the newer are known as Detail among Britains collectors, aren't they? Though, I don't dare to change it all!
We miss now a picture of the vintage pelican, can I use yours, Chris?

Hi Roger

Yes, of course you can use my photos of the 1st version Pelican. You can also use the photo with both 1st and 2nd versions together to get a better idea of the differences.

Thanks for asking.

Deetail was a Britains section whereby the bases were made of metal. These were exclusively used for dismounted soldiers and mounted knights etc... plus a few human figures in other ranges. Metal (Deetail) bases were never used for farm or wildlife animals.

Some collectors use Herald for the vintage plastic pre 1970 and Britains for 1970 and after. However, this does have issues as the Herald symbol wasn't used for most of the zoo range. Perhaps better keep it as it is.

Thanks once more, Crhis! A beautiful page, with your signature, was born at Toy Animal Wiki. I also linked it to this topic. Looking forward to see your pink birds.

Roger wrote:

Thanks once more, Crhis! A beautiful page, with your signature, was born at Toy Animal Wiki. I also linked it to this topic. Looking forward to see your pink birds.

Many thanks Roger. I am delighted to provide more information to TAW.

Perhaps the mystery to what species Britains Pelican is can be found in one of their early catalogues published in 1940.  

At this time Britains catalogues contained information about each species together with their Latin name.

Here is a link to an extract of the 1940 Britains catalogue:

https://www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk/index/Pelican_(Britains_Zoo_909)

Britains catalogue clearly states that their Pelican is Pelecanus onocrotalus a Great White Pelican.

As the 1st version plastic model was derived from the lead version I think it is safe to assume that this is also a Great White Pelican.

Hope this helps with the identification.

I can't open the link unfortunately. I will try to check it later using another device.
The editor of the Britains section identified it originally as a great white pelican. I should suspect it was correct once it is a collector much more versed with Britains Than I am. Colours may be not accurate but with a documental evidence, there is no room for my mirabolant theories.