Budgie Diecast Miniatures No.23 Cement Mixer vintage toy

Budgie Miniatures

No.23 Cement Mixer

Third of the models based on a Bedford TK cab and chassis was a cement lorry, No.23 Cement Mixer which was first issued in 1963. It was probably a popular toy as it came in several colours and two types of mixer barrels.

The first issues had orange cabs and a cream-coloured mixer body. The cab and chassis castings followed the earlier Bedford models (Nos.21a & 22a) in having a narrow cross-brace behind the cab and rear holes for a hinge-pin (not needed on this model). The cab base had a short rear extension and asymetric or 'off-centre' lettering 'A Budgie Model' and 'Made in England'.

On these early variations, the platform on which the cement mixer sat was secured only to the chassis which created the risk of the model falling apart. This was improved by giving the base a longer extension so that the rivet could run through both chassis and base. At about the same time the chassis was strengthened with a stronger cross-brace (type 3) and the lettering was revised to became centralised and symmetrical.

The first type barrel was a single casting with a smooth interior. This was centrally mounted so that it could be turned. The second style barrel was a two-piece casting which can be identified by an internal ridge at the join. The barrel was mounted on an open-centred platform which included a rear chute but unlike other Bedford models there was no number on the model.

Orange continued to be a popular colour for No.23 Cement Mixer and was used for all variations but dark green, red and yellow versions were also added to the range using the improved chassis and base.

The wheels on No.23, as with most other Bedford TK models, were black plastic on rivetted axles.

The Cement Mixer is not a scarce model but mint models are hard to find because the cream-coloured paint on the barrels was easily chipped. Production ended in 1966.