BAYKO Sets #0 to #3 Instruction Manual -
October, 1950 - 4th Issue

This Instruction Manual was produced by Plimpton for their basic range of BAYKO sets - sets #0 to #3, and was the bread and butter of BAYKO's heydays, with a total of 20 issues being printed.

It is print coded October, 1950 and, as such, is one of the earlier versions, which can be easily identified by the red border to the picture on the front cover. Such manuals pre-date the introduction of sets #3X and #4 in 1951 and 1952 respectively, but, in this case, many of the changes necessary for the introduction are introduced in this issue. The print code also tells us that 50,000 copies of this edition were printed.

This manual was printed by J.H. Leeman Ltd., Leighton Printing Works, Neston, Wirral. It has a full colour cover, the rest of the 40 pages are printed in red, green and black on white, gloss paper.

The two pages [below] detailing standard and “New” parts on pages 1 and 33, respectively are different from the earlier version. The previous version quoted prices without the 25% Purchase Tax, this version has the all inclusive maths done for you!
Page 33 also includes the first mention of three new parts, the Small Chimney, Opening Window plus the Gate and Matching Balustrade, having been introduced in this issue.
There is also information as to which new parts are included in sets #3X and #4, and these clearly exclude the Pinnacle Roof and Platform and the Dome.

Page 3 [below] shows several changes from the previous issue, starting with the fact that the four small diagrams along the foot of the page are now in colour. There are two additions in terms of advice to begin with set #0 models, and the suggested use of cardboard for flat roofs of non-standard size. There is also one subtraction as the comments advising care when using Curved Bricks and Curved Windows have been omitted.

The 'How It's Done' diagram on page 4 [below] is also different, in this issue, having also been switched from a black and white line drawing to colour.

Page 32 [below] has lost its plug for extra parts, which has been replaced by the announcement that BAYKO conversion set #3X is now available, despite the fact that it wasn't actually launched for some ten months!

Page 34 [below], has been changed from the previous example to enable the inclusion of the new parts - Small Chimney, Opening Window and Gate and Matching Balustrade - previously mentioned. Unfortunately, during the resetting of the page, the labels for the drawings of the Long Turret and the Square Turret got transposed - that's posh for a cock up!

As well as being included in sets #0 to #3, this manual was sold separately for 1/6 [7½p].

Size - 250mm x 185mm = 9.8 x 7.3 inches.
This is the 4th issue.
Number of this version that were printed - 50,000.

If you would like to see the manual hot off the press, as it were…