Budgie Diecast Miniatures No.22 Mobile Crane vintage toy

Budgie Miniatures

No.22a Mobile Crane

Second of the Budgie Miniatures based on a Bedford TK truck was No.22a Mobile Crane. In fact there was probably never a real vehicle like the model because the basic TK chassis was unable to carry a heavy crane without adaptation or conversion, but it made a nice toy!

The Bedford cab, chassis and base of No.22a Mobile Crane were painted dark glossy green and this did not change. There was no silver trim added except for one run which had trim on the grille, front bumper and headlights, and this version is quite rare.

The first variation of the Mobile Crane differed in several ways from later models. The cross-brace on the chassis just behind the cab was narrow and the rear extension on the base was short. This meant that the crane platform was fixed only to the chassis. Also, the lettering 'A Budgie Model' and 'Made in England' were cast 'off-centre' on the base.

Later this was improved with a wider cross-brace on the chassis and a longer extension to the cab base enabling the platform to be securely rivetted to the chassis and base together. Benbros introduced the improvement to the base first so 'transition' versions exist with type 1 chassis and type 2 base. At first the lettering remained 'off-centre' but later this was revised and centralised on the type 2 base.

Another feature of the first models was the casting of the platform which included an extended axle grip or loop to secure the platform to the rear axle. This was removed when the revised chassis and base were introduced.

The Crane part of the model was cast in two separate sections, the platform and the jib, which were rivetted together prior to the platform being fitted onto the chassis & base. The jib could swivel in a complete circle which improved the play value.

The hook on the jib was seperately added and was either a flat casting painted orange with the jib on early models or an unpainted rounded hook on later ones.

The jib was always painted orange but the platform could be either orange (more common on early versions) or dark green. Under the platform 'No.22' was cast.

No.22a always had black plastic wheels. The axles on the first issue were flat-head and crimped but all later models used rivetted axles.

The Mobile Crane must have been a popular toy as there are still plenty around although the first version is not easy to find. Measuring 56mm long, it was in production from 1963-66 and was sold in a variety of boxes and packs.