Benbros TV Series and Mighty Midgets

No.48 Bedford Artculated Flat Lorry with Chains

Above are some of the rarest Benbros miniatures. Click on the thumbnail pictures to enlarge.

Updating the Benbros Booklet

My booklet 'Benbros T.V.Series & Mighty Midgets' is still available to buy (click here for details). Since it was published in 2002 there have been eight different printings of the third edition booklet, each with new variations added, but due to lack of space in the booklet I have now stopped adding new variations. The table below shows the new information added, so if you have an earlier printing, you can update your booklet with the amendments.

Added in the second printing
21. Foden Open Lorry	Metallic green with PMW
Added in the third printing
37. Police Car	Plated version, UMW.
Added in the fourth printing
4. Stage Coach	Metallic blue, red wheels, light grey horses, BENBROS MADE IN ENGLAND on shafts.
Added in the fifth printing
46. Petrol Tanker	Amend table heading from 'Trailer colour' to 'Cab & Trailer'.
Added in the sixth printing
15. Vespa Scooter	Rich yellow, bright red rider, PMW.
21. Foden Open Lorry	Metallic blue with PMW; Light blue with UMW.
27. Rolls-Royce	Metallic blue, black chassis, red wheels.
Added in the seventh printing
45. Bedford Low Loader with Log	Amend trailer colour from cream to beige.
Added in the eighth printing
20. Foden Flat Lorry	Beige version with red or silver trim, UMW or BPW.
31. Bedford Lorry with Tilt	Light blue, BPW.
32. Bedford Compressor Lorry	Rich yellow, BPW.

The following tables show further new variations found which are not in any printings of the booklet. The most substantial amendment required is that the numbers for the Bedford articulated lorries are now clear. No.47 was the lowside lorry (listed in the booklet as no.44) which fits with the box illustration and box description of 'Articulated Waggon'. No.44 was the crane lorry (listed in the booklet as no.47), which started life as a low loader with hinged rear loading ramp (not listed in the booklet) - hence the box description 'Articulated Low Loader'. Subsequently the ramp was deleted and the crane was added to the casting. The listings for numbers 44 and 47 should therefore read as follows:-


44. Bedford Articulated Low Loader (later with Crane) Length 64mm, no identification cast on trailer. The box illustrates an articulated flat lorry with a load of planks.
Trailer colour	Floor	Casting	Wheels
Beige	Smooth	With hinged ramp	UMW
Light blue	Ribbed	Without ramp or crane	UMW
Light blue	Ribbed	With crane	UMW
Red	Ribbed	With crane	BPW
Cream	Ribbed	With crane	BPW
Rich yellow	Ribbed	With crane	SPW push-fit on axles*
*Push-fit plastic wheels have only been seen on this model and on no.33 Bedford Crane Lorry (see below).


47. Bedford Articulated Lowside Lorry Length 62mm, no identification cast on trailer. The box description is 'Articulated Waggon' (sic).
Trailer colour	Floor	Tailboard	Wheels
Beige	Smooth	Separate	UMW
Light blue	Ribbed	Cast-in	UMW or BPW
Blue	Ribbed	Cast-in	BPW
Red	Ribbed	Cast-in	BPW

Additional variations of other models are:-


16. Chevrolet Station Wagon	'Silver' plated, red roof and flash, red 2nd type base and PMW.
18. Hudson Tourer	Blue, unpainted 2nd type base, probably UMW?
18. Hudson Tourer	'Silver' plated, blue roof, red probably 2nd? type base and PMW.
20. Foden Flat Lorry	Orange cab & chassis, light green body, UMW.
21. Foden Open Lorry	Orange cab & chassis, light green body, UMW (thanks to Patrick Talbot).
21. Foden Open Lorry	Red cab & chassis, yellow body, UMW (thanks to Patrick Talbot).
22. ERF Petrol Tanker.	Bright red, "Esso" transfer on one side, PMW (see photo above).
28. Foden Chains Lorry	Beige with silver trim, UMW (thanks to Patrick Talbot).
30. Bedford Army Box Van	Gloss dark green, red/yellow square on nearside, BPW (see photo above).
33. Bedford Crane Lorry	Yellow, BPW push-fit on axles* (see photo above).
40. Ford Convertible	'Silver' plated, red seats, red 2nd type base and PMW.
40. Ford Convertible	'Silver' plated, blue seats, orange-red 2nd type base and PMW.
43. Bedford Artic. Box Van	Bright red trailer, DUNLOP transfer without logo, UMW (see photo above).
43. Bedford Artic. Box Van	Beige trailer, DUNLOP transfer without logo, UMW (see photo above).
*Push-fit plastic wheels have only been seen on this model and on no.47 Bedford Articulated Crane Lorry (see above). They were presumably a late development to counter safety concerns about the sharp ends of crimped axles.

If you have any other unlisted variations or can fill any gaps where I have put question marks, please e-mail me, preferably with photographic evidence. All verified new finds will of course be attributed (unless you want to be anonymous) and included on this page. Thank you in advance!