Britains variations

Just noticed a few new posts regarding Britains Zoo/Wildlife animal figures.

As Britains made many 10,000s of their plastic animal zoo figures from 1960 to 1998 it is entirely possible that different versions may have been produced.

Also in the manufacturing process when the figure is ejected from the mould it might be slightly deformed from the normal. When collectors have multiple figures of the same model that was issued over many years then there is highly likely to be variations. Here this isn't related to the type of plastic used or paint variations. In the latter this is possible as any additional paint was applied by hand.

I have a few examples of the Britains panther (leopard) and some of these are different. May be a post from me to illustrate the examples of the panther I have to show these differences.

Ohh! Yes, please

Please, Chris, your knowledge is a treasure and very useful to our forum. Especially when Rogerpgvg is really making a fantastic work about Britains at the Toy Animal Wiki. It is important because some online references do not exist anymore.

Yes please

Yes please!!I have 3 variations of the Britains leopard but would like to see more!

Taos wrote:

Yes please!!I have 3 variations of the Britains leopard but would like to see more!

Picture, picture
I have a very special variation of the leopard, - it has no tail

I've noticed a sculptural difference between a number of my models. I have two early versions of the sable that whilst clearly based off off of the same mould are actually different in the minute details.

I suspect the moulds started to deteriorate over time and thus new moulds where created using casts from these original moulds that where "redetailed" before being recast.

Examples of the Sable's:

WOW ! Yes ! You are right

Thankyou for sharing

There is another early sable antelope that is more clearly different: it has a blunter nose than the two you have. I think it isn't just an "accidental" difference, but one that Britains intended.

rogerpgvg wrote:

There is another early sable antelope that is more clearly different: it has a blunter nose than the two you have. I think it isn't just an "accidental" difference, but one that Britains intended.

Yes, I think i've seen pictures of it.

Here are my variations of the Sable Antelope and the Leopard.

That is wonderful
Even if I have been hiding it well, I must confess that I adore variations

And you even have the black panther

I mentioned it before, Taylor has everything

Very interesting to see, differences in molds and differences in paint.

Thank you especially Roger you're very kind!!

Very interesting for me

Great array of variations

Wonderful informations, Crhis! I was completely unaware of these differences in the anteater model.
Weight, I always tell it is a good indicator to solve some misteries. I was not, however, expecting such a difference of weight between these two tapirs, it means, much probably, that the earlier model floats. Please don't try it once it is beautifullyy painted, so different from the newer model but I like the older best.

DrJu@551c wrote:

Examples of the Sable's:

Thanks DrJu@551c for posting your Sable variations - the version on the left looks like the PVC variant as it is shiny and is very different in terms of sculpting to the one on the right.

Taos wrote:

Here are my variations of the Sable Antelope and the Leopard.

Thanks Taylor for sharing your Sable variations.

Image 1: The one on the right could be the PVC version and totally different mould from the one on the left.

Image 2: Again two different sculpts. The right hand side model is an early plastic version derived from the lead casting but has textured detail that wasn't evident on the lead version. The left hand side variant is clearly a different mould evident in the face, the horns and the base of the tail has undergone strengthening.  

All wonderful to see.

Roger wrote:

Wonderful informations, Crhis! I was completely unaware of these differences in the anteater model.
Weight, I always tell it is a good indicator to solve some misteries. I was not, however, expecting such a difference of weight between these two tapirs, it means, much probably, that the earlier model floats. Please don't try it once it is beautifullyy painted, so different from the newer model but I like the older best.

Many thanks Rogério. A few years ago I read somewhere that the PVC versions were heavier than the polythene ones so I decided to check this using my wife's kitchen scales. I always thought that my two Tapirs were different types of plastic and like you I prefer the earlier version due to the better painting.

Thank you for all the information,great to know!!