By Jim Simpson

           Wheat harvest and the 4th of July are synonymous here in Pennsylvania.   The first week of July is a busy time getting combines out in the field and taking a break for a family picnic to remember the founding of our country.   One of the great successes of our country in its early days was farming.  Our four fathers ability to grow wheat made our country bread basket to the world and help build our independence.  

           One of my favorite movies is the 1987 made for TV CBS movie "American Harvest"  with Wayne Rogers and Earl Hollman as a customer cutter fights all odds to save his family farm after a hail storm.  This movie shows the American farmers spirit of never say die as the main character "Duncan" buys three old John Deere 105 combines and sets out to harvest wheat after his crop is lost.  Half way through the movie fire destroys one of the combines and the others break down.  Duncan's wife mortgages here family farm and orders three new John Deere 8820 combines.   The best moment is when three big 8820 Titan II combines come rolling over the hill to save the day.   American Harvest - there's just no other name for it. Farming is tough work and many people take it for granted so this month on honor of the movie I will review Ertl's 1/24 Titan II.

           Our nation turned 227 this month.  Back in 1976 during the celebration of the 200th Anniversary of our founding the equipment companies marked the Bicentennial by painting their tractors red, white and blue.  Thanks to Toy TractorShow.com the 76' Steiger is now famous and you can also read about the 76' Case 1570, MF 1155 and Cub Cadet.  Did you know that IH's 76' black stripe 66 series were also a tribute to the new era of freedom launched in 1776.  You can read more below in the 1566 review.

        John Deere's largest combine in the late 1980's was the 8820 Titan II.   This top of the line Titan II offered superior capacity, grain handling ability, fuel economy, comfort and easy service.  This combine was ideal for growers who measured their acreage by the section.  The 8820's turbocharged and intercooled engine produces 222 hp.   The engine is mated with hydrostatic steering to put the driver in control during all harvest conditions.  The 222 bushel grain tank unloads in less than two minutes through a hydraulic swing 17 ft unloading auger.  The 8820 was one of the largest combines of the 1980's.

       Ertl first offered the Titan II in 1/24 scale from 1985-1989.  In 1989 Ertl offered both the new 1/28 scale 9500 and the 1/24 scale Titan II.  The 1/24 scale Titan II is most often thought of as an 8820.  John Deere for many years did not offer model number decals on toy combines.  In the case of the Titan II a young farmer could pretend it was an 8820, 7720 or 6620.  With an 8 row corn head and 25ft grain head the Titan II is most of thought of as an 8820.  The "8820" Titan II toy sells for $90 on average if it is new in the box.

    The literature for the Titan II series was released by John Deere in 1985.  It features the 8820, 7720, 6620, 6620 Hillside and 4425.  The brochure is 31 pages long.  A Titan brochure brings around $15 which is on the high side for a 1980's brochure but John Deere combine literature is very popular among collectors.

    The 161 hp International 1566 was built from 1975-1976.  In its second year of production it was dressed up with a black stripe.  The 1976 black stripe 66 series are the most sought of IH tractors of the 1970's.  If you need power in the mid 1970's the 1566 was a good bet.  The 1566 was powered by the IH DT-436 engine.  The black stripe on the hood of the 1566 and other 66 series tractors paid tribute to America's bicentennial and IH's 145th anniversary.

      In July 1991 Ertl released the 1/16 black stripe 1566. During the 1970's Ertl offered the 1466, 1066 and 966 but never changed the decals for the 1976 black stripe models.  In 1990 Ertl started a 6 piece set of  new 66 series toy variations over looked during the original run.  The 1566 was the last model of the set.  It offered an IH cab, 76' black stripe, IH all-weather cab and dual wheels.  A new in the box 1566 will bring around $45.

    Two IH brochures that featured black stripe tractors.  The lead tractor in the International Harvester 1976 buyers guide was the 1566.  This brochure shows all the equipment and tractors IH offered in 1976.  The buyers guide is 79 pages and will sell for around $35.  Another interesting piece of 76' IH literature is the IH 1776-1976 "The American Bicentennial" brochure.  This brochure salutes the United States and International Harvesters commitment to agriculture that began in 1831 with the invention of the McCormick reaper.  As you leaf through the pages IH highlights its harvesting, tillage and power history over 145 years.  This historical piece sells for $25 from most literature dealers.

Next month I plan to tie together TTT's 20th Anniversary and International Harvesters 101 Anniversary by reviewing a past TTT IH model and an IH tractor from 1983.  Until the August times enjoy collecting.

NEW FROM ERTL

TTT July 2003 Page 3

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