Scammell Handyman MKIII Artic

In 1968 Corgi Toys came up with their fourth heavy goods vehicle. After the two Bedfords and the US Ford H Series they return to a British truck, the Scammell Handyman and once again it is a typical choice for Corgi Toys, not mainstream like a Leyland or an AEC, Scammell are much more niche, a smaller producer of trucks and the Handyman was very distinctive at the time having a glass fibre cab which was designed for them by Michelotti. Scammell were better known for specialist trucks like their little three wheel mechanical horse goods yard tractors, the Scarab, or for very heavy specialist ballast tractors and army trucks, rather than standard motorway plugging HGVs. The Corgi is very well modelled and exactly suited to the given task of pulling articulated goods trailers.

1139 Chipperfields Circus Menagerie

The world has moved on in many ways since 1968. It is no longer an acceptable thing to do to haul exotic animals around in cages on the back of trucks for the entertainment of the public, but in 1968 that was, apparently, OK. Like giving your kids toys with tobacco adverts printed on the sides or marmalade gollys. It makes though a brilliant toy with three loose cages on the back containing plastic lions, tigers and gorillas. The loops on the tops of the cages allowed you to use one of your Chipperfields crane trucks to lift the cages on and off the flatbed. The 1139 Chipperfields Circus Menagerie was introduced in 1968 and deleted in 1972. They are rare in complete form, sought after, and consequently, expensive.

1144 Chipperfields Circus Crane

The updated Chipperfields circus crane replaced what would have been (in the case of the old version) a wartime surplus US Army truck; the International 6x6 troop carrier chassis, with the much more modern Scammell Handyman cab, designed by Michelotti. The back-body is recognisable as the basis of the Holmes Wrecker normally seen with a Ford H Series cab up front. The jib is the same as the old International Circus Crane Truck with an all new winch arrangement. All this adds up to a very elegant model and one which is very scarce these days and consequently demands high prices.

1148 Carrimore MkIV Car Transporter

This transporter trailer was introduced in 1966 paired with the Ford H Series Unit. Here it is updated to the new Scammell Handyman tractor. This pairing was introduced in may 1969 and remained in production until 1972, overlapping with the tri-deck version of the trailer. released in 1970. Colours are always red & white.

1147 Ferrymasters International Hauliers

The articulated dropside with the tilt cover was introduced in December 1969 and remained in the range until 1972. It is sought after and prices are relatively high for a good boxed example. I do not find them that often either. It makes a good impressive model.

1146 Carrimore Mk V Tri-deck Car Transporter

The Scammell gets a new and remodelled car transporter trailer with three decks and a good excuse for some Corgi Toys miniature engineering. It is fragile and most of them you will see have some sort of damage or bits missing so prices for a good one will always be high. The TriDeck Transporter was introduced in October 1970 and remained in the range until 1973. Concurrent with its release was GS20 which contained this truck and six cars: 372 Lancia Fulvia, 377 Marcos 3 Litre, 378 MGC GT, 311 Ford Capri 3 Litre, The Saint's Volvo, 343 Pontiac Firebird - all with WhizzWheels. The set remained in the range until 1973.