'Other' Constructional and Allied Systems Info & Downloads
Haynes Construction Sets
Demand Media Construction Sets
The Gift Box Company Construction Sets
Coach House Partners Construction Sets
In no later than 2015, Demand Media launched a range of Haynes branded construction sets under licence from that publishing company. Initially the Demand Media logo was on the side of the box, but in 2016, this was moved to the rear of the box. In late 2016 Demand Media launched The Gift Box Company marketing company, and from 2017 all sets had that logo on the rear. However Demand Media's name was still there in the small print. On March 5th 2020, Demand Media went into voluntary liquidation. Presumably another company was formed to take over some of the business, as all the new 2020 range of sets are sold with the Coach House Partners logo and name on them. (This company also appears to be known as Coach House Outfitters). As of January 2021, The Gift Box Company's website is still live, showing both some of the old sets and the new 2020 sets for sale - http://thegiftboxcompany.co.uk/. Sets are also being sold on Ebay in the Coach House Outfitters shop - here.
Initially Demand Media just produced Haynes branded construction sets. However in 2016 as well as a number of new Haynes sets, they introduced one set in their own name - the Campervan. From 2017 they only introduced new sets under their new own brand name of The Gift Box Company. No new Haynes sets were released, although three existing ones got the new banding of The Gift Box Company. As of early 2021, the only Haynes branded set still on The Gift Box Company's website is the Apache Helicopter.
They all have parts to similar to both Meccano and Eitech Construction and are classified as Polylong(1a) type set. They were manufactured in China. Incidentally from the style of the box and packaging, these are almost certainly made by the same Chinese company that makes the Imperial War Museums (IWM) sets distributed through Smart Fox. Interestingly the Haynes model of a Spitfire, the IWM model of a Hawker Hurricane and the AtoZ model of a Spitfire all appear to be the same model.
Manufacturer / Distributor
Originally: Direct Media, UK - then from 2020: Coach House Partners, UK who both imported these sets from China
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for POLYLONG [1a] (Ref:PLY1a)
as EITECH/CONSTRUCTION
China
2004 to in production in 2022 and continuing
Steel
M4
push fit
----
25 (see comment *1)
50 (approximately)
10.0
4.2 (see comment *2)
---
4.0
Nuts: hexagonal
Bolts: pan (crosshead)
Steel with a Bright Zinc plated finish
6.9
6.5(see comment *3)
Comments
Various Sets (see separate list) from one or more unknown Chinese makers. Most parts as Eitech/Construction but some others. *1 Mod.1 & finer for Motor/Gear Unit.. *2 Square holes in some RCEE sets. *3 6.1 & 7.4 also reported.
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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Below there are manuals/leaflets which can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.
Haynes Construction Sets
Initial Range in 2015 (or earlier) packaging without the Demand Media's logo.
Photos of the 2015 Haynes Apache Helicopter set
(Added 03/07/20)
Photos of the 2015 Haynes Haynes Battle Tank set
(Added 03/07/20)
Photos of the 2015 Haynes Excavator Truck set
(Added 03/07/20)
Photos of the 2015 Haynes Sports Car set
(Added 03/07/20)
Photos of the 2015 Haynes Steam Train set
(Added 03/07/20)
Photos of the 2015 Haynes Tractor set
(Added 03/07/20)
-----------------
Haynes Expanded Range in 2016 packaging with Demand Media's logo.
Note that the Battle Tank has been renamed Tank and the Excavator has been renamed as Digger
Photos of the 2016 Haynes Apache Helicopter set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of the 2016 Haynes Digger set
(Added 03/07/20)
Photos of the 2016 Haynes Dump Truck set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of the 2016 Haynes Motorbike set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of the 2016 Haynes Spitfire set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of the 2016 Haynes Spitfire set which also came with a magazine
(Added 24/01/21)
The instructions for the 2016 Spitfire set that came with a magazine
(Added 13/04/21)
Photos of the 2016 Haynes Sports Car set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of the 2016 Haynes Steam Train set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instruction for the 2016 Haynes Steam Train set
(Added 23/02/23)
Photos of the 2016 Haynes Steam Train set which also came with a magazine
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of the 2016 Haynes Tank set
(Added 03/07/20)
Photos of the 2016 Haynes Tractor set
(Added 24/01/21)
-----------------
Sets 2017 and later with The Gift Box Company's logo
These Haynes sets are the only ones that are thought to appear with The Gift Box Company logo on them.
Photos of the 2018 Haynes Apache Helicopter set
(Added 24/01/21)
The Gift Box Company's instructions for the Haynes Apache Helicopter set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of the 2017 Haynes Sports Car set
(Added 24/01/21)
The Gift Box Company's instructions for the Haynes Sports Car set
(Added 24/01/21)
The Gift Box Company's instructions for the Haynes Tractor set
(Added 24/01/21)
Other sets with Demand Media logo (2016)
Photos of the Demand Media Campervan set
(Added 24/01/21)
Other sets with The Gift Box Company logo (2017-2019)
Photos of The Gift Box Company's Campervan set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Gift Box Company's Campervan set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Gift Box Company's Chopper set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Gift Box Company's Concorde set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Gift Box Company's Concorde set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Gift Box Company's Fire Engine set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Gift Box Company's Fire Engine set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Gift Box Company's Flying Scotsman set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Gift Box Company's Flying Scotsman set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Gift Box Company's Land Rover set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Gift Box Company's Land Rover set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Gift Box Company's Red Arrows set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Gift Box Company's Red Arrows set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Gift Box Company's Spitfire set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Gift Box Company's Spitfire set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Gift Box Company's Robot Wars Dead Metal set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Gift Box Company's Robot Wars Dead Metal set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Gift Box Company's Robot Wars Matilda set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Gift Box Company's Robot Wars Shunt set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Gift Box Company's Robot Wars Shunt set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Gift Box Company's Robot Wars Sir Killalot set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Gift Box Company's Robot Wars Sir Killalot set
(Added 24/01/21)
Sets with The Coach House Partners logo (2020 to date)
Photos of The Coach House Partners' Concorde set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Coach House Partners' Flying Scotsman set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Coach House Partners' Land Rover set
(Added 24/01/21)
Instructions for The Coach House Partners' Land Rover set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Coach House Partners' Grand Prix Racing Car set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Coach House Partners' Spitfire set
(Added 24/01/21)
Photos of The Coach House Partners' Lunar Lander set
(Added 17/05/21)
Instructions for The Coach House Partners' Lunar Lander set
(Added 17/05/21)
Photos of The Coach House Partners' Camper Van set
(Added 02/07/22)
Photos of The Coach House Partners' Fire Engine set
(Added 02/07/22)
Photos of The Coach House Partners' Robin Reliant set
(Added 02/07/22)