BAYKO Sets #0 to #2 Instruction Manual -
1946 to 1947, 20 Pages - First Version

This 20 page Instruction Manual was produced, in 1946 or early 1947, by the Plimpton Engineering Company for their post-war BAYKO sets. This is the earliest version of the 20-page format. Thanks to Ian Cole for the loan of this manual.

It is possible that this issue was used as an export version to support Plimpton's assault on the global construction toy market, in response to government pressures.

Whatever its exact intended use, we should remember the severe climate of austerity and the very real post-war material shortages which prevailed at the time this manual was produced. This lead to some difficult sourcing decisions, creating a fairly chaotic situation, printwise, with a separate “How to Build with BAYKO” leaflet, though, the set contents now being included, the supplementary sheets were no longer necessary.

It comprises 20 pages, printed in red and black on white, gloss paper, with a full colour cover.

The unique feature of this version is that it contains an error on page 3 [below], the sets contents page. The Corner Ties for set #2 are shown as 5 rather than the correct figure of 8.

Pages 19 and 20 show photographs of BAYKO models incorporating pre-war Large bases and Wall Capping - in a post-war manual remember!!!

When set #3 was introduced in 1948, this manual, or, more likely, one of its later equivalent, was still included, along with a specific set #3 manual.

Size 220mm x 140mm = 8.6 x 5.5 inches.

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