In 1963 an all-new model joined the Budgie Miniatures range. This was No.21a Tipper Truck. It was the first addition after the Esso Petrol Pump Series ended and was based on a Bedford TK lorry, a common truck during the 1960's.

 

Budgie developed five models based on the Bedford using the same cab and chassis adding different bodies to create each model. Under the cab was a little base to secure the front axle which carried the 'Budgie' name for the first time on any Miniature. The wheels were always black plastic.

 

Over the production life of the five Bedford models, Budgie used four different chassis castings and four different bases for the cab. The first chassis had a fairly narrow cross-brace behind the cab and two side holes at the rear for a hinge-pin to secure the body (although not all versions needed these). Beneath the cab the first little base was secured by a forward tab and a rivet into the chassis through a short rear extension. The lettering on this first base was assymetric on each side of the front axle and said 'A Budgie Model' and 'Made in England'.

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The second chassis continued to have a narrow cross-brace but the rear holes for the hinge-pin were filled in to create a clip-fit link for the tipper hinge. The cab base was also changed to having a long rear extension but the lettering remained asymmetric.

 

For the third chassis Budgie strengthened and widened the cross-brace, gave the cab base larger flanges for the axle and made the lettering symetrical.

 

The final casting of the Bedford chassis had clip-fit holes added on each side behind the cab to accomodate the fourth type of base which was a completely new casting. It had an open centre to provide flexibility for the clip-fit assembly, and also had revised lettering and four nodules to hold the axle in place. 

 

In addition to these variations of the Bedford models, there were also two variations of the tipper body of No.21a, type 1 being plain underneath with no identification, type 2 having the number '21' added. The tipper body was connected to the chassis at the rear with a metal hinge-pin on the first models and a clip-fit system on later ones. The opening tailgate was top-hinged.

 

Budgie issued the cab and chassis of No.21a in four colours, yellow, red, orange and white, but the tipper body was always dark green. Yellow was the most common choice and was the only colour to have all four chassis/base variations.

 

The Tipper Truck was sold in a variety of packs, sets and boxes. These are listed and illustrated below.

 

Although a successful model, production of No.21a Tipper Truck ended in 1966 when Guiterman (Budgie's owners) ceased trading. It is thought that the dies were destroyed in a fire shortly afterwards.