Constructor(1)

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Constructor(1) Construction Sets

Constructor(1) was a development of the Constructor(0) system where it moved away from the rhombus shaped main element to a more Meccano-like system. It was produced in France from 1920 to the mid 1960s.

Constructor(1a) - (1920-33)

Manufacturer / Distributor

Société Française du Jouet Métal (SFJM), 119 rue de Sèze, Lyon, France
From 1925: 'Lieu de Bellevue', Parey-le-Monial, France
(Postal address - Constructor, Parey-le-Monial

Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for CONSTRUCTOR [1a] (Ref:CNR1a)

Maker

System Type
Hole pitch <12.7mm

Country
France

Dates
circa 1920 to known in 1930

Material
Steel

Thread
3x.75

Boss Type
double-tapped

Boss Thread
3x.75

Diametrical Pitch of Gears

No. of Parts in System
38 (see comment *¹)

Hole Pitch (Spacing) (mm)
11.0 (see comment *²)

Diameter of holes in Strips(mm)
3.2

Diameter of the Bore in Bosses(mm)
3.1

Diameter of Axle Rods(mm)

Types of Nuts and Bolts
Nuts: hexagonal
Bolts: tapered cheese (slotted)

Material/Finish of Nuts and Bolts
Steel with a Brass finish
(see comment *³)

Size of the Nuts across Flats (mm)
6.4

Bolt diameter (mm)
5.3

Comments
Lid has boy with Tower & river/bridge scene behind. More & smaller parts than CNR0 above. 2 widths of Strip known, 8.2 & later 8.8mm (8.1 known). *¹ 50 later reported. *² 10.0 in Braced Girders. *³ Square Nuts in manual.

The MCS document for this system is shown below. It can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here

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Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here

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The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided

Below there are manuals/leafets and photos which can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.

A 1920s Constructor(1a) manual for sets 0 to 2
(Added 23/05/2019)

The 1920 Constructor(1a) manual for set 3
(Added 23/05/2019)

The 1930 Constructor(1a) manual for sets 0 to 2
(Added 23/05/2019)

An early 1920s price list for Constructor(1a)
(Added 23/05/2019)

Photos of a Constructor(1a) set 4 (probably late 1920s or early 1930s)
(Added 13/09/2023)

Constructor(1b) - (1933 to mid 1960s)

Manufacturer / Distributor

'Lieu de Bellevue', Parey-le-Monial, France
(Postal address - Constructor, Parey-le-Monial

Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for CONSTRUCTOR [1b] (Ref:CNR1b)

Maker

System Type
Hole pitch <12.7mm

Country
France

Dates
to 1964 (see comment *¹)

Material
Steel (see comment *²)

Thread
3x.75

Boss Type
double-tapped

Boss Thread
3x.75

Diametrical Pitch of Gears
43 (probably)

No. of Parts in System
82 (see comment *³)

Hole Pitch (Spacing) (mm)
11.0

Diameter of holes in Strips(mm)
3.2

Diameter of the Bore in Bosses(mm)
3.1

Diameter of Axle Rods(mm)
3.0

Types of Nuts and Bolts
Nuts: square
Bolts: cheese (slotted)

Material/Finish of Nuts and Bolts
Aluminium (Alloy) with a Aluminium (Alloy) finish

Size of the Nuts across Flats (mm)
5.8(see comment *⁴)

Bolt diameter (mm)
5.0

Comments
Lids: 2 boys with Transporter Bridge or H'head Crane & Loco. Final phase with more parts, some changed. Strip(s) 9.8 wide, later 10.8, also 10.1. *¹ '70 reported. *² Some light alloy in WW2. *³ from 50 initially.*⁴ 5.3 may exist. Check all N&B data.