This month is dedicated to the 101 years of International Harvestor.  International is one of Ertl's first historical sets, starting with the IHC TYPE A and ending with the newest tractor of the time, the International 1086.

The oldest tractor in the set, the IHC TYPE A also includes a variation that is one of the two rarest toys in the set.  The original set contained a model with a green flywheel and a light/bright red canopy.  It is the green flywheel that makes this model so special.  This was a short run variation and at one time brought in some pretty good money for the dealers.  The green flywheel was soon changed to grey, but the brighter red canopy hung around a little longer.  The canopy was eventually changed to a darker color of red. 

  The next tractor Ertl captured in this set is the Titan 10-20.  There are three variations with this tractor.  These all revolve around the lettering and the axles.  The first models had the words Titan 10-20 stamped or painted on the side of the water tank in white lettering.  The rivet in the axle has a round head on the one end.  The IHC decal on the front of the water tank is printed on a square decal.  The second model has only one different variation from the previous model.  The stamped lettering has now been replaced with a decal.  The third and final variation will keep the decal, but now the axle has a flat head on one end and the square decal on the front has been changed to a round decal.  All variations have a Titan 10-20 decal on the rear fenders.

Another tractor in the set is the Farmall F-20.  There are only two variations with this model.  One has the Farmall name stamped on the side and the other had the decal. 

 The next model in the set is a Titan 15-30. All the models have a McCormick Deering decal on each side of the hood.  The first model has a round axle head on one end.  IHC 15-30 is stamped on the back of each fender.  Like the other models the next variation came with the stamped lettering being replaced with a decal.  The decal variation can be found on two tractors.  One tractor has a round axle head and the other has the flat axle head. 

            Another model in the set is the Farmall H.  These models do not have separate axles but instead they are cast right onto the tractor.  The only two variations are the stamped and decaled lettering. 

The last model in the set is the International 1086.   The oldest models have a spun front axle.  All models have a rivet for a rear axle.   There are two variations with a spun front axle.  The first model came with a white decal on the back of the cab.  The white decal model is the other rare toy in this set.  The decal was later changed to a clear decal that would stay with the 1086 for the rest of it run.

I have left out any reference to white and cream colors that people associate with the cab and side decals.  I did this because over the past 20 years since they were first released the colors have faded and aged.  Most of the time, the difference in color is so slight and you have to look so hard to see it, you make yourself believe it’s different just to justify it’s existence in your collection.  Then, the next time you compare the two models you’re not sure why you have both of them.  That’s not to say that there aren’t a few left out there with a significant difference in color.  I won’t tell you it’s rare if you found one, just temporarily lucky.  

The spun axles were eventually changed to push on front axles.  This would allow the tires to be pushed on instead of being put on and then going through a second operation to spin the axle down to hold the tires. 

I hope this will help answer any of your questions as well as help to fill up any spaces in your collection.  Send me an email if you have any questions or know of more variations that I have not listed.

IH Historical Set Variation Check List

IHC 1910 Tractor TYPE A

1.        Green flywheel.  Light red canopy.

2.        Grey flywheel.  Light red canopy.

3.        Grey flywheel.  Dark red canopy.

TITAN 10-20

1.        Titan 10-20 stamped on side of water tank.  Round rear axle head.  Square IHC decal on front.

2.        Titan 10-20 decal on side of water tank.  Round rear axle head.  Square IHC decal on front.

3.        Titan 10-20 decal.  Flat rear axle head.  Round IHC decal on front.

Farmall F-20

1.        Farmall decal on side.

2.        Farmall stamped on side.

TITAN 15-30

1.        IHC 25-30 stamped on fender.  Round axle head.

2.        IHC 15-30 decal on fender.  Round axle head.

3.        IHC 15-30 decal on fender.  Flat axle head.

FARMALL H

1.        Farmall stamped on side.

2.        Farmall decal on side.

International 1086

1.        Spun front axle.  White cab decal.

2.        Spun front axle.  Clear cab decal.

3.        Push front axle.  Clear cab decal.

TTT August 2003 Page 5

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