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Benbros Qualitoys

A106 Army Covered Truck

When Benbros acquired the collection of model dies from Timpo Toys in 1952, one of the best models was the AEC lorry and in the Army Series this was used to create No.A106 Army Covered Truck. 

 

The 'Sunderland' casting on each side of the cab related to the original Timpo model which promoted the Vaux Brewery based in the town of Sunderland.  Benbros re-issued the AEC cab/chassis without change although 'Benbros', 'Qualitoy' and 'Made in England' were added to the underside of the chassis to eliminate the Timpo name.

 

For some reason Benbros did not use the Timpo die for the body but created a new multi-model casting which was used on all the AEC models. It was secured onto the cab/chassis unit with a tab at the back of the cab and a single rivet at the rear of the chassis.

 

For the Army Truck the dropside version was utilised and a green cloth canopy or tilt added which was supported by three metal wire hoops fitting into holes in the sides. It was stitched onto the hoops at the front and rear but the middle one was just a support. The front end of the canopy fitted behind the cab and was closed, but at the rear it was open.

 

A106 Army Covered Truck was painted either olive-green, gloss dark-green or matt dark-green and this included the opening tailgate at the back. The first two colours had matching painted metal wheels, but the matt green models had olive-green wheels, all types being '6-bolt' painted on the outside only and fitted with black treaded tyres. There was not much if any silver trim applied to the first variation but the dark-green models had it applied to the front grille, headlights and number-plate.

 

As with all the Army Series, A106 shared a multi-model box with illustrations on all four sides. The Benbros emblem was on both end-flaps and the model inside was identified by having 'Army Covered Truck' stamped on the id. panel at one end, or sometimes with just the number A106 written on it.

 

The Army Covered Truck is quite scarce and the little drop-down tailgate at the back is often missing.

Benbros Qualitoys A106 Army Covered Truck

Variation 1: Olive-green including pmw, no silver trim, green canopy

Benbros Qualitoys A106 Covered Truck

Variations

 

All models had Multi-Model boxes with id stamp or number on end panel

 

1)  OLIVE-GREEN            no silver trim   OLIVE-GREEN pmw   GREEN cloth canopy

 

2)  DARK-GREEN             silver trim        DARK-GREEN pmw   GREEN cloth canopy

 

3)  MATT DARK-GREEN   silver trim       OLIVE-GREEN pmw   GREEN cloth canopy   

Benbros Qualitoys Army Covered Truck
Benbros Qualitoys A106 Army Covered Truck

Variation 2: Dark-green including pmw, green canopy

Benbros Qualitoys Army Covered Truck
Benbros Qualitoys Army Covered Truck

Variation 3: Matt dark-green, olive-green pmw

Benbros Qualitoys Army Covered Truck
Benbros Qualitoys Army Covered Truck

A106 with rear tailgate closed and open

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