Issued 1956-1960    Length 84mm    'OO/HO'scale (1:76)

 

In 1956 Britains upgraded and enlarged the Lilliput Series with new models, new wheels, new boxes, and the introduction of military items. The first of these was the Army 3-Ton Truck based on the Bedford RL Lorry.

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Among the Lilliput vehicles, the Bedford trucks included some of the best detail in the casting especially on the sides of the body. There were two parts to the model, the cab and chassis, and the body and base, held together by a front tab and two rear rivets. On the underside of the chassis 'Britains Ltd' and 'England' were cast. There was also a spare wheel and at the back a metal towhook.

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Britains made two versions of the cab casting, the first one with three rear windows and the second without them. Only a few models with windows were produced so it is a rare variation.

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For the cover (or tilt) Britains used plastic moulding which enabled good canvas-like detail in a matt green colour. It fitted over the body sides so did not need corner pegs.

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Although in production for only four years, there were variations in the colours of the Army Covered Truck from a basic Army green to a glossy dark-green, and to what has been called NATO or olive-green. The dark-green and NATO-Green models sometimes had a white star decal added to the cab roof. Silver trim was added to the headlights on all colour variations.

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As part of the Lilliput upgrade, Britains started fitting all the models with plastic wheels (or hubs) with black tyres which had 'Britains Ltd' and 'England' on the sides. The Army models had green hubs in various shades from pale olive to quite dark green. The axles were enclosed within the base.

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The Covered Army Truck had one of the new open fronted display boxes which Britains started using in 1956. Coloured a dark-red, it had a diorama insert to which the model was secured. One of the end-flaps carried the name & number. 

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Being well made, the Covered Truck has lasted well over the years and excellent examples can still be found although the boxes are scarce.