Post by JasonB on Jan 23, 2016 21:21:54 GMT
In my last post, I discussed the 1/64th Gleaners models that ERTL has brought out so far for collectors, now I will turn to another well known 64th toy company that has really stepped up the game in the 1/64th world: Spec Cast.
In 2013, AGCO introduced the new S8 Series Gleaner combines, but as a collector of Gleaners, came the biggest surprise from Spec Cast when they announced they were going to be producing the S88 Gleaner in 1/64th scale. Not only was Spec Cast entering the 1/64th combine market, they were finally going to be doing a true Transverse Rotary Gleaner in 1/64th. The last true Rotary Gleaner that was produced in 1/64th was the ERTL R52 Gleaner from the early 1990's. I was very excited when Spec Cast announced the 64th Gleaners.
The first two 1/64th Gleaners out of the gate from Spec Cast was the "Introduction" and Dealer Launch edition Gleaner combines, each with special writing on the engine compartment to announce the introduction in Aug of 2013. Both 64th versions only came with the 12 row corn heads, and both had different color schemes. The New Product Introduction Aug 2013 Hesston KS" Gleaner S88 with duals came with the regular production color scheme and was a limited release. The "Dealer Launch" version came in the optional Carbon Grey Wrap paint scheme option and it too was a Ltd production release. So far, the S88 Dealer launch edition has been the only one released in the carbon grey paint scheme.
These two 1/64th Gleaners far exceeded my expectations when released, as the detail was truly out of this world, with high detail features such as cab glass, handrails, mirrors and even a steerable rear axle! The models even feature a detailed straw spreader, and side panels. By far these have been the best 1/64th Gleaners released so far... In my opinion.
Unlike in the past, when you might see 1 new Gleaner released and then a several year gap in between, you did not see this with Spec Cast! A 1/64th high detailed S78 Gleaner followed the introduction versions, had the same detail level as the Intro versions, but had front single floater tires and came with the 40 foot AGCO draper head. It was great to see the Draper head produced for the 1/64th Gleaners.
Spec Cast took advantage of the S78 Gleaner tooling, and released a Special "Spring Farm Show 2015 Special Edition" combine that was sold at the Louisville Farm Show in 2015 and limited to 200 pieces. It was basically the same as the regular release S78 Gleaner, but had the Special Spring Farm Show Edition" decal on the back of the combine.
The Fall Farm Show 2015 releases last year was pretty interesting. Spec Cast released the S88 Gleaner in 1/64th as a shelf model which came with both the 12 row corn head and a Flex head instead of the draper head. They also took this same S88 shelf version, and put on a special "Fall Farm Show 2015 Edition" decal on the back of the combine, and on the box. This version was sold at the Husker Harvest Days. Now here comes the confusing part:
The Farm Progress Show was held in Decatur IL in 2015 and the AGCO booth wanted a 64th Gleaner to sell at the show. Spec Cast had not received their shipment of S88 Gleaner Farm Show editions yet from China, but back at their offices they had 60 S78 Gleaners with drapers in stock. So 60 Gleaner S78's were also produced as a 2015 Fall Farm Show Edition". The S78 Gleaner Fall Farm Show 2015 combine will become hard to find in the future as only 60 of them were made.
But Spec Cast's time of producing 1/64th Gleaners is not over yet: In the Spring of 2016, Spec Cast will be introducing a 1/64th Gleaner S98 Introduction Edition in both regular colors and a Black Stealth version. The real S9 Gleaners were introduced in Nov 2015. The new 1/64th model will feature the upgraded cab design, handrails and mirrors, plus it will be offered with the new 12 row corn head. In June 2016, an S97 Gleaner high detailed model will be released with both a 12 row corn head, dual front tires and the new draper head. So it looks like Spec Cast will continue bringing out some great 1/64th Gleaners this year.