Yesteryear Collection - 1918 Leyland Van 4-ton

The design of this model was based on the famous Leyland R.A.F. heavy tender of which some 6,000 were supplied to the Army Service Corps, and the Royal Flying Corps which were subsequently to become the Royal Air Force.
After the first World War, Leyland Motors purchased from the Government some 3,000 of these vehicles which were reconditioned for civilian use, and although they were supplied as a 3 ton military vehicle they were rated as a 4-tonner commercial use.
This well liked vehicle was powered by a 4 cylinder type of engine developing 36-40 horsepower with a 4-speed gearbox having a direct drive on top gear.

Issued in 1957, the (Y7-1) 1918 Leyland Van 4-ton was withdrawn in 1961 after just 4 years in production. A must for any serious collection.

Livery Type A: (Transfer)
Top line: 'W & R JACOBS & CO LTD' in yellow with white shadow effect.
Centre line: 'BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING' and royal crest in yellow with black horizontal coachlines above and below.
Bottom line: 'Biscuit Manufacturers' and associated scroll work in yellow.
All on both sides of van body.

Livery Type B: (Transfer)
As Type A but 'BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING' and royal crest missing.
Also the two horizontal black coachlines may or may not be deleted.

Variations/Rarities: It was painted brown and shades vary from dark brown to a lighter brown and a reddish brown on the later issues.
The first run had a white roof and all later ones had a cream roof.
The radiator grille and grille shell were trimmed with silver but this was omitted on the later issues.
The wheels were a plain disc type wheel which the dies probably wore out before the final run had been completed so it was fitted with black plastic wheels borrowed from the 1-75 series.
Like the other models released so far it had crimped axles on the early issues and rounded axle ends on the later issues.
Fitted to each side of the van were decals for Jacobs Biscuits.
Two unusual versions were found to have been released in Kenya and in Spain where the decal had the middle line of text missing. Some were complete transfers with just the lettering and coat of arms omitted; some were two piece transfers with the centre line cut out prior to fixing to the models. Some have the black dividing lines and some do not. Many theories exist for the transfers being in this state but no official reason exists. The one piece tranfers without the centre line lettering were probably pre-production examples made prior to permission being granted by the Lord Chamberlain's office to use the 'By Royal Appointment' logo and coat of arms.

The roof of the van is rarely found in good shape due to it either being poorly cast or the roof itself is corroding causing the paint to bubble up.
Models with the middle line of text missing or those fitted with black plastic wheels are both very rare.

Always a popular model with issues issues 3 and 9 showing growth in value since 1996.


W&R Jacob & Co Ltd	Silver or brown radiator shell	Black plastic wheels	Underside of roof & axles	Decal without middle line of text

Information as from "The Yesteryear Book 1956-2002"
Issue	Year of Release	Colour	Roof	Radiator Shell	Front Wheels	Rear Wheels	Underside Of Roof	Logo	Axles	Transfer Type	Baseplate	Rarity	Box
1	1957	Dark brown body & chassis	White	Silver	Grenodised solid	Grenodised solid	Bare metal	W & R JACOBS & CO LTD	Crimped	A	LESNEY No 7 ENGLAND	S	A
2		Dark brown body & chassis	Cream	Silver	Grenodised solid	Grenodised solid	Bare metal	W & R JACOBS & CO LTD	Crimped	A	LESNEY No 7 ENGLAND	D	A
3		Lighter brown body & chassis	Cream	Silver	Grenodised solid	Grenodised solid	Bare metal	W & R JACOBS & CO LTD	Crimped	B	LESNEY No 7 ENGLAND	ER	A
4		Lighter brown body & chassis	Cream	Silver	Grenodised solid	Grenodised solid	Bare metal	W & R JACOBS & CO LTD	Crimped	A	LESNEY No 7 ENGLAND	S	A
5	1959	Reddish brown body & chassis	Cream	Reddish brown	Grenodised solid	Grenodised solid	Bare metal	W & R JACOBS & CO LTD	Crimped	A	LESNEY No 7 ENGLAND	D	A
6		Reddish brown body & chassis	Cream	Reddish brown	Grenodised solid	Grenodised solid	Cream	W & R JACOBS & CO LTD	Crimped	A	LESNEY No 7 ENGLAND	D	A
7		Reddish brown body & chassis	Cream	Silver	Grenodised solid	Grenodised solid	Cream	W & R JACOBS & CO LTD	Riveted	A	LESNEY No 7 ENGLAND	D	A
8		Reddish brown body & chassis	Cream	Reddish brown	Grenodised solid	Grenodised solid	Cream	W & R JACOBS & CO LTD	Riveted	A	LESNEY No 7 ENGLAND	D	A
9	1960	Reddish brown body & chassis	Cream	Reddish brown	Black solid 24 tread	Black solid 32 tread	Cream	W & R JACOBS & CO LTD	Riveted	A	LESNEY No 7 ENGLAND	ER	A
Rarity: D - Difficult; S - Scarce; R - Rare; VR - Very Rare; ER - Extremely Rare
Box: A - Line drawing, black number on end flap