Vintage Benbros Qualitoys No.221 Articulated Low Loader diecast toy

Benbros Qualitoys

221 Articulated Low Loader

In the Qualitoys range Benbros produced several articulated models based on old Timpo dies. They were simple, chunky toys and all used a common cab with each model having a different type of trailer.

The casting of the cab was a single hollow type without a base and included supports for the axles and a bullet-shaped coupling knob at the rear. There was no identification or maker's name or model number.

The cab wheels used for the Low Loader model were all-metal of two types, the first a thin design without adornment apart from treaded 'tyres', the second wheels being chunky all-metal with 8-bolt decoration and smooth 'tyres'. Benbros later fitted coloured plastic wheels to the Low Loader cabs and these were usually painted red.

Cast as one item, the first issue of the Low-Loader trailer was an unadorned design with a smooth flat-bed and a hole at the front end for the coupling. The box illustration showed a log on the trailer and this was almost certainly included originally held on by elastic bands but there was no holder or support included in the casting for a load. On the underside of the trailer Benbros blocked out the Timpo name with a panel on which 'Made in England' was added but no maker's name or number. As with the cab, two types of black all-metal wheels were fitted to the trailers

Benbros made a second version of the Low-Loader trailer with a ribbed flat-bed and a better defined shape. It continued to be fitted with black all-metal 8-bolt wheels but 6-bolt plastic wheels with tyres were also used.

Colours of the Low Loaders had a cab coloured red, orange or green with or without silver trim on the front, and a trailer painted green, yellow, red or metallic green.

Benbros frequently used multi-model boxes and the Low Loader shared two versions of joint boxes, the main one having a detailed picture of the model on one face carrying a large log. On this box there was no number but the second box, a yellow one with model illustrations (see Qualitoys 226 Petrol Tanker) carried the number 221 which is the only reference there is. Interestingly the name which Benbros used for the model was 'Articulator Low Loader'. On both types of boxes a panel on one of the end-flaps carried a stamped or written indicaton of the model inside.

As with the other Qualitoy articulated models, the Low Loader is not easy to find.