Scale Models & the 1/24th Gleaner A5 series

In 2006, AGCO and Gleaner tried to extend the Gleaner combine line up, with an Axle Rotary Gleaner combine, for farmers wanting the Axle Rotor over the transverse Rotary machine, also at the time it was only the way Gleaner could get a class 8 combine. The Axle Rotary models were the A65, A75, and A85 the new class 8 machine. The Gleaner axle rotary combines were just the MF combines painted Silver.

Never the less, Scale Models jumped on the opportunity to produce the new Gleaner A85 in 1/24th scale. Only this time, the 1/24th Gleaner A85's body was completely made out of plastic over die cast.

Scale Models introduced a 1/24th Gleaner A85 "New Product Introduction" version. This version had a Special engraving on the cab roof marking the dates of the introduction in St Louis Mo Aug 16-18th 2006. The combine also included Dual front tires, chrome wheel rims, handrails and mirrors. It was sold with both the grain head, and an 8 row Corn head.

The Next version of the A85 Gleaner that was released in 1/24th, was the "A85" Gleaner for the "2006 Farm Progress Show". The combine was slightly different then the Intro version. It had single front tires instead of duals, the wheel rims were the traditional Gleaner Silver, and the handrails and mirrors were painted black. On the cab roof, it had an engraving marking it as an 06 Farm Show Edition.

Shortly after the A85 Gleaner for the "06 Farm Show" was released, a shelf version of the "A85" combine followed, which was basically the same as the "06 Farm Show version" except it did not have the special farm show engraving on the cab roof.

In 2008, Gleaner celebrated its 85th anniversary, and to mark the event, a special 85th anniversary of the Gleaner "A85" was produced. This combine had special 85th anniversary decals on the combine and the headers. The 1/24th version also featured Gold wheel rims, handrails, and mirrors to mark the special event. The combine only came with the 8 row corn head, but you could purchase a special 85th anniversary grain head separately to go with the combine.

In all honestly, I would rather had seen an updated R65 or R75 to mark the 85th anniversary in Toy forum, given the A85 was not a true Gleaner, but at least something was done to mark the anniversary.

Scale Models then choose not to produce The R6 and A6 series in 1/24th and skipped over them to the new S7 series, which will be covered in the next thread.