Second of the five 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!

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The Bedford cab, chassis and base of the 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.

Budgie made several changes to both the chassis and the base of the Bedford models with four different chassis castings and four different bases. Details of these are outlined on the No.21a Tipper Truck page and are listed in the variations below.

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In addition to the cab/chassis changes, Budgie made two different versions of the crane platform of No.22a. The first issue had a casting which included an extended axle grip or loop to secure it to the rear axle. Later this was removed when the improved chassis and lengthened base were introduced enabling the platform to be riveted directly onto the chassis and base together.

The separately cast crane was added to the platform before assembly and the jib could swivel in a complete circle which improved the play value of the model. The hook at the end of the jib was seperately added and was either a flat casting painted orange on early models, or an unpainted rounded hook on later ones.

Budgie later altered the colour of the platform from orange to green but the crane was always orange. Under the platform 'No.22' was cast.

The wheels on the Mobile Crane were black plastic with a marked tread. On the first issue the axles 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 variation 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.