BAYKO Set #3X Instruction Manual -
February ?, 1951 - 1st Issue

This Instruction Manual was the first of six issues of their set #3X manual to be produced by Plimpton for their [then] new BAYKO set #3X, and subsequently, set #4.

This manual was intended for people who bought a set #3X to convert their set #3 to a set #4 - therefore the models in this manual can only be built with a set #4. These manuals were subsequently, until August, 1954, included, alongside a sets #0 to #3 manual, in set #4.

It has no print code, strongly suggesting that this was the earliest issue. The quoted date of February, 1951, is, therefore, a guess. However, given that the first mention of set #3X in 'MECCANO Magazine' was July, 1951, and the second issue was dated August 1951, it is an educated guess! The lack of a printers code also means that we have to guess as to the quantity which was printed - subsequent issues suggest 5,000 copies were printed.

This manual overlaps the sets #0 to #3 manuals printed in October, 1950 and February, 1951.

The manual was printed by J.H. Leeman Ltd., Leighton Printing Works, Neston, Wirral. It has full colour front and rear covers, showing the famous models of the 'Block of Flats' and 'Country Club', respectively…

…the other 22 pages are printed in red, green and black on white, gloss paper.

When launched, the set #3X didn't include the Dome or Pinnacle Roof and Platform. The parts list on the Inside Front Cover [below] reflects that, and, indeed, none of the plans for models utilise these parts. This particular set #3X manual is unique in having the price printed just above the middle of the inside of the front cover. There is a further unique feature of this page in that it contains the clumsy phrase “Crazy Paving may be used very usefully…” which was subsequently dropped.

Page 16 of this issue of the manual includes a trivial typo where Side Bricks Red were wrongly listed as “Side Windows Red”.

This manual was generously scanned for me by Malcolm Hanson. Unfortunately the manual was missing the four pages [below] highlighted like this section. I have substituted the equivalent pages from the next issue of the set #3X manual which was printed in August, 1951.

I will replace these images as soon as I can acquire the correct images…

Size - 250mm x 185mm = 9.8 x 7.3 inches.
Almost certainly the 1st issue.
Probably 5,000 copies printed.

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