When it comes to combines John Deere is the biggest in the industry. John Deere built its harvesting reputation over 50 years ago as it entered the self propelled combine market. Ertl has captured one of John Deere's most famous corn combines in superb detail in its Prestige series.

In 2001 the Prestige line started with the 1/16 2 row John Deere 45 combine. The Prestige Series captures precision detail in a combination of plastic and die-cast to offer a 1/16 scale price tag. The plastic parts allow for detail on a large piece like a 1/16 combine while keeping the price around $80 rather than $200. A 1/16 combine is a large collectible and Prestige marries detail with price savings.

The latest edition to the Prestige Series is the John Deere 55 Corn Specail. This exciting model has all the features of the real machine. Collectors will find wires, supports, concaves, flood lights and more. The pictures of this models details speak for themselves. It was interesting that Ertl chose to use the John Deere 335 three row corn head on the Prestige Series 55 because most people think of a combine using a 2 or 4 head. The largest planters on the market back then were 6 rows. The three row head was a good match to a 6 row planter much like a 6 row head to a 12 row planter today. Back in the 1960's when a 300-500 acre farm was a big operation a 3 row head would have fit right in.

The John Deere 55 holds the honor of one of the longest produced combines in Deere history. After Several Years of development Deere's one of John Deere's first self propelled combines, was the Model 55. It went into production in 1946 and was powered by a 72 hp Hercules Engine, 6 cyl. and holds 65 bushels of grain. This combine was so popular it influenced other brands design. The 55 was upgraded and produced through 1969.

The new Ertl Prestige 55 combine represents a later 55 combine. It features the new for 1967 335 three row corn head. The 335 replaced the 334 three row corn head from 1965. By the late 1960's corn head technology was rapidly advancing as the John Deere combines gained larger engines and more performance. The 55 retired many corn pickers.

Enjoy the pictures of the new toy 55 combine and the real machine shelling corn. You might want to pick up this great model on your next trip to your John Deere dealers.