Budgie Diecast Miniatures No.21 Tipper Truck vintage toy

Budgie Miniatures

No.21a Tipper Truck

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.

When the Bedford Tipper Truck appeared it had the first of three different chassis castings with a narrow cross-section behind the cab and at the rear two side holes for the hinge-pin which secured the tipper body. Beneath the cab the little base was held by a forward tab and a rivet into the chassis through a short rear extension. Interestingly, the lettering on this first base was assymetric on each side of the front axle and said 'A Budgie Model' and 'Made in England'.

The second chassis abandoned the rear hinge-pin in favour of a clip-fit link for the tipper body, and Benbros also strengthened and widened the central cross-brace. The cab base was improved too with a longer rear extension, larger flanges for the axle, and symetrical lettering.

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

In addition to these variations of the Bedford, there were also two variations of the tipper, the first being plain underneath with no identification, the second 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.

Benbros issued No.21a Tipper Truck in different colours of yellow, red, orange and white but the tipper was always dark green. Yellow was the most common choice and was used for all three chassis variations. It was sold in a variety of packs, sets and boxes which 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.