Allan Chetwynd

Allan J. Chetwynd
Biographical Background
Born	1947
Nationality	British
Years Active	1967-2004
Spouse(s)	Christine Chetwynd

Allan J. Chetwynd (born 1947) is the creator and designer of the Ertl Company line of merchandise.

Ertl Company

Allan Chetwynd played in a professional band and later on a friend working for the RC2 Corporation helped Allan to join the company, as they were about to produce the Ertl range. As Allan had a special interest in railways and had previously designed other models, such as cars, he took the role of designer for the Ertl range.

In order to know the Thomas & Friends characters and to make the toys as accurate as possible, Allan visited Shepperton Studios and took photographs of the engines' models there. Allan first created the initial designs of the Ertl toys and then produced 3D prototype models, which were made out of different materials, such as clay, wood or plastic. Allan had single-handedly produced over two-hundred prototypes of the Ertl toys.

Trivia

• Allan Chetwynd's initials and year of birth can be found on the headcodes of the ERTL D199 and D7101, and Hornby D7101, respectively.
• Allan Chetwynd's favourite character is Thomas.

Gallery

Prototypes

Early prototypes of Edward, Gordon, Duck, Diesel and D199

Pullback and Motorised Thomas prototypes

Percy prototype

Prototype 1/32nd Scale Pullback Percy

Prototype Toby

Prototype Duck, Bill, Ben, Diesel, Harold and Trevor

Prototype Duck

First prototype Oliver

Second prototype Oliver

Prototype Emily

First Bill prototype

First Ben prototype

Second Bill and Ben prototype

First Bluebell prototype

Second Bluebell prototype

First prototype City of Truro

2nd Prototype City of Truro

Prototype Stepney

Prototype Wilbert

Prototype Sixteen

Prototype Flying Scotsman

Prototype Lady

First Fergus prototype

Second Fergus prototype

Prototype Arthur

Prototype Diesel

First Daisy prototype

Second Daisy prototype

First BoCo prototype

Second BoCo prototype

Prototype D199

Prototype Mavis

Prototype Class 40

Prototype Derek

'Arry prototype

Bert prototype

Alternative prototype versions

Prototype Splatter

Prototype Dodge

Prototype Rusty

Prototype Skarloey

Prototype Rheneas

Prototype Peter Sam

Prototype Sir Handel

Prototype Duke

Prototype Bertram

Prototype Smudger

First Culdee Prototype

Prototype Lord Harry

Prototype Culdee and Godred

Mike (cancelled)

Prototype Jock

ERTL prototype and released product comparison

Prototype Annie and Clarabel

Prototype Troublesome Truck

First Express Coaches prototypes

Second Express Coaches prototypes

Gordon's Special Coaches prototype

Sodor Mail Coaches prototype

Old Slow Coach prototype

Agnes and Jemima (cancelled)

Prototype Lorry 1

S.C. Ruffey prototype

Tar and Milk Tanker prototypes

Sodor Fuel Tankers prototype

The Truck (cancelled)

Prototype Chinese Dragon

Henry's Log Car prototype

First Breakdown Crane prototype

Second Breakdown Crane prototype

Prototype of The Spiteful Brake Van

Prototype Toad

Prototype The Pump Trolley

Prototype Bertie

Updated Bertie prototype (cancelled)

Prototype Trevor

Prototype Bulgy

The Railway Series prototype of George

Prototype Caroline

Prototype Butch

Lorry 2 prototype

Lorry 3 prototype

Prototype Thumper

Prototype Elizabeth

Prototype Soft-Side Lorry

Caterpillar Cranes prototype

Prototype Sodor Mail Van

Prototype Sodor Taxi

Prototype Dyson Low Loader

Prototype Jack

Prototype Alfie

Prototype Harold

Prototype Bulstrode

Prototype Sodor Valley

Prototype Cranky

Prototype Sir Topham Hatt

Wind-up Fat Controller prototype

Prototype Porter

Prototype Lady Hatt

Dowager Hatt and Mrs. Kyndley prototypes

Prototype Play Track

Bookcase Thomas prototype

Money Box Thomas prototype

Moneybox Caroline (cancelled)

Moneybox Bertie (cancelled)

Moneybox Sodor Mail Van (cancelled)

Radio Control Thomas prototype

Remote Control Thomas prototype

External Links

• Designer Allan Chetwynd and some prototype models
• Allan Chetwynd's personal collection of prototypes