Doepke Unit Crane / Smith Miller Truck Combo

Recently found on ebay.  Great custom truck

Rare Custom Doepke Unit Excavator

Doepke Reproduction – 614 UNIT Dragline”O” Gauge Model

Inspired by a similar pressed steel toy made in the 1950′s, this lattice boom, crawler crane is scaled at 1:48 from the original machine and hand crafted from brass in the same style as the original toy. With individually linked tracks, a 9″ long boom and a dragline bucket, this model looks ready to go to work. Manually operated hoists raise and lower the open lattice boom through the equalizer suspension as well as operate the dragline bucket. A “Unit orange” finish and authentic markings complete this model. This crane will be a show piece in any collection of construction models as well as make a perfect addition to any “O” gauge railroad layout or display. >> CCmodel

Prototype Unit Crane vs. Production Crane

Found this years ago and while looking through my image archive I found this photo. I believe this was referenced from CCM toys. Very interesting to see the difference between a Doepke Prototype and the actual production model in the 50′s

Unit 357 Replica by CCM

Construction Collector wrote a great article about the history of this fine toy and how it became what we all know. That toy, first manufactured by Doepke in 1949, was one of the coolest stamped steel construction toys ever made. Rugged enough to survive the rigors of outdoor use and having realistic details like rubber Goodyear tires. Operating this toy with its two functional hand crank hoists, accurate rigging, stamped steel open lattice boom and a working clamshell bucket.