Meccano Manuals

Old Style Plastic (Junior) Meccano
Including Prima

Details and Downloads of the Manuals

Meccano Ltd introduced Plastic Meccano for younger children in 1965, It was renamed Junior Meccano in 1979 in the UK. However in France the name change was in the early 1970s. It lasted until 1993 when it was replaced by a totally new Junior Meccano system. Details of the various set manuals are noted below. Also included are the Study Kits produced by Educational Productions Ltd in collaboration with Meccano. The instruction leaflets/manuals can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.

In 1975 Meccano Ltd introduced Prima. A simple plastic construction system for very young children. Photos of this can be seen at the bottom of this page

UK MANUALS

1965-71

Plastic Meccano was first introduced in 1965 with three sets - 'A', 'B' and 'C'. So far I know of the four instruction leaflets during this era each of which covered all sets. Were there any others?

Plastic Sets A-C

A combined instruction leaflet for the Plastic Meccano sets A, B & C, which is thought to date from 1965/7. Not certain whether this or the next instruction leaflet came first. It was a large double sided sheet.
(No reference No.)

Plastic Sets A-C

A slightly different combined instruction leaflet for the Plastic Meccano sets A, B & C which is thought to date from 1965/7. Not certain whether this or the previous instruction leaflet came first. It was a large double sided sheet.
(No reference No.)

Plastic Sets A-C
1967-70

A combined instruction leaflet for the Plastic Meccano sets A, B & C which followed on from the previous two. It is thought to date from 1967 to 1970. It was a large double sided sheet. Print ref 72937.

Plastic Sets A-C
1970/1

An identical combined instruction leaflet for the Plastic Meccano sets A, B & C. It is thought to date from 1970. It was a large double sided sheet. Print ref 160020.
(Added 24/03/2024)

1971-77

There were four main sets during this era - '100', '200', '300' and '400'. The manuals were reprinted several times during the era. The various printings can be identified by being either 'Meccano Tri-ang Ltd', 'Meccano (1971) Ltd', '©1973', '©1974' or '©1975'. If anyone can supply scans/information on printings not shown below it would be appreciated.
NOTE - The Flexible Track Pack remained in production until Meccano production stopped in the UK in 1981

Plastic Set 100
1971

An instruction leaflet for Plastic Meccano set 100. It was a single double sided sheet. Print ref 160035.
Meccano Tri-ang Ltd

Plastic Set 100
1971/2

An instruction leaflet for Plastic Meccano set 100. It was a single double sided sheet. Print ref 160035.
Meccano (1971) Ltd

Plastic Set 100
1973

An instruction leaflet for Plastic Meccano set 100. It was a single double sided sheet. Print ref 160035.
1973 Meccano Ltd
(Added 18/01/2020)

Plastic Set 100
1974

An instruction leaflet for Plastic Meccano set 100. It was a single double sided sheet. Print ref 160035.
Meccano & Airfix Logos, ©1974
(Added 24/03/2024)

Plastic Set 200
1971

An instruction leaflet for Plastic Meccano set 200. It was a single double sided sheet. Print ref 160035.
Meccano Tri-ang Ltd.

Plastic Set 200
1971/2

An instruction leaflet for Plastic Meccano set 200. It was a single double sided sheet. Print ref 160036.
Meccano (1971) Ltd

Plastic Set 200
1973
An instruction leaflet for Plastic Meccano set 200. It was a single double sided sheet. Print ref 160036.
©1973 Meccano Ltd
(Scans awaited)

Plastic Set 200
1974

An instruction leaflet for Plastic Meccano set 200. It was a single double sided sheet. Print ref 160036.
Meccano & Airfix Logos, ©1974
(Added 24/03/2024)

Plastic Set 200
1975

An instruction leaflet for Plastic Meccano set 200. It was a single double sided sheet. Print ref 160036.
©1975 Meccano Ltd

Plastic Sets 300 & 400
1971

An instruction manual for Plastic Meccano sets 300 and 400. Print ref 162180.
Meccano Tri-ang Ltd.
(Added 18/01/2020)

Plastic Sets 300 & 400
1971/2

An instruction manual for Plastic Meccano sets 300 and 400. Print ref 162180.
Meccano (1971) Ltd.
(Added 18/01/2020)

Plastic Sets 300 & 400
1974

An instruction manual for Plastic Meccano sets 300 and 400. Print ref 162180.
Meccano & Airfix Logos, ©1974
(Added 06/06/2021)

Plastic Sets 300 & 400
1975

An instruction manual for Plastic Meccano sets 300 and 400. Print ref 162180.
Meccano & Airfix Logos, ©1975

Caterpillar Track
1971

A Caterpillar Track Accessory Pack instruction leaflet. Print ref 153041.
Meccano Tri-ang Ltd.

Caterpillar Track
1971/2

A Caterpillar Track Accessory Pack instruction leaflet. Print ref 153041.
Meccano (1971) Ltd.

Flexible Track
1974/5

Due to Trade Mark objections by Caterpillar Ltd it was subsequently renamed the Flexible Track Accessory Pack. Print ref 153041.
Meccano & Airfix Logos

Plastic Boots Set
Mid 1970s

During this period, Boots sold the Set 100 Plastic Meccano set under their own name. thought to date from the mid 1970s.

1977-79

There were four main sets during this era - 'Playpack', '1', '2' and '3'.

Plastic Playpack Set
1976

The instruction leaflet for the Plastic Meccano Playpack set. It was a single double sided sheet. Print ref 160039.

Plastic Set 1
1977

The instruction leaflet for Plastic Meccano set 1. It was a single double sided sheet. Print ref 160041.
©1977, Meccano & Airfix Logos

Plastic Set 2
1977

The instruction manual for Plastic Meccano set 2.
No Ref No. ©1977, Meccano & Airfix Logos

Plastic Set 3
1977

The instruction manual for Plastic Meccano set 3. Print ref 162182.
©1977, Meccano & Airfix Logos

Plastic Set Contents
1977

The Plastic Meccano Parts Check List for the 1977 range. Print ref 160040.
©1977, Meccano & Airfix Logos

1979-81

There were two main sets during this era - 'A1' and 'A2'. Note the renaming from Plastic Meccano to Junior Meccano. These were the last sets produced by Meccano(UK) before production stopped due to the Airfix group collapsing

Junior Set A1
1979

A 1979 instruction leaflet for Junior Meccano set A1. It was a large double sided sheet.
No ref no., ©1979, Meccano & Airfix Logos

Junior Set A2
1979

A 1979 instruction leaflet for Junior Meccano set A2. It was a large double sided sheet.
No ref no., ©1979, Meccano & Airfix Logos

FRENCH MANUALS

Late 1960s

Meccano France also released three sets in the late 1960s, Sets 'A', 'B' and 'C'. These were identical to the UK versions.

Plastic Set A-C (French)
Late 1960s

A late 1960s instruction Manual for the French Plastic Meccano sets A, B and C
(Added 18/01/2020)

1971/2-1982

Meccano France released three sets in the 1970s, Sets '1', '2' and '3'. These were identical to the UK '100', '200' and '300' sets. There were at least two printings of these manuals. The only significant differences appear to be the front covers

Junior Set 1 (French)
1970s

A 1970s instruction Manual for the French Meccano Junior set 1
(Added 18/01/2020)

Junior Set 2 (French)
1970s

A 1970s instruction Manual for the French Meccano Junior set 2
(Added 18/01/2020)

Junior Set 3 (French)
1970s

A 1970s instruction Manual for the French Meccano Junior set 3
(Added 18/01/2020)

Junior Set 1 (French)
1970s

A 1970s instruction Manual for the French Meccano Junior set 1
221101 104 225

Junior Set 2 (French)
1970s

A 1970s instruction Manual for the French Meccano Junior set 2
221101 104 226

Junior Set 3 (French)
1970s

A 1970s instruction Manual for the FrenchMeccano Junior set 3
221101 104 227

Junior Schools Set
1970s

Sometime - probably during the 1970s Meccano France issued the schools Meccano Junior model leaflet in association with the French Government Ministry of Education
(Added 18/01/2020)

1982-88

Following the closure of the UK factory, Meccano (France)replaced the existing range with three new sets - '1 Star', '2 Stars' and '3 Stars'. At present I have not seen any manuals for these sets. If anyone can supply scans it would be appreciated.