Issued 1956-1960    Length 47mm    'OO/HO' scale (1:76)

 

The second of the military models in the Lilliput Series was the Austin Champ based on a robust cross-country vehicle in use over several decades with the British Army. 

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The model had an interesting design comprising three castings, a tinplate windscreen, and the wheels. The two main parts were the body and the base with a separate detachable metal canopy. The base included the front of the model, grille, headlights and bumper. Unusually for Britains, there was no id. underneath the Austin Champ, nor was there a figure of a driver included in the body casting.

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There was contrast in the colours of the model with the body, screen and base being a glossy dark-green and the canopy a paler, more olive-green colour. The wheels were small green plastic hubs, and the black tyres had 'Britains Ltd England' on them.

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Because the Austin Champ, at 1:76 scale, was a small model, it had a smaller open fronted box than the other military models, although even this was large compared to the model itself. Inside was an internal packing piece to which the model was secured. On one of the end-flaps the model name and number were printed or stamped onto a blank panel. 

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The Austin Champ was included in the large Railway Set L/11 in a civilian role but was unchanged from the Army version. It made a neat little model which was popular but examples in good condition are quite hard to find, and the boxes are scarce.