25wm and 640 Bedford Military Truck (1952-55)

Hi Gents, Been after one of these for ages, the military Bedford O lorry........ With the Civvie version, Anyone got a picture of the civvie version with black wings?Cheers CW.

Here is a trade box for the 25wm Bedford O These were only sold in USA as export models and this was renumbered to 640 but I do not think they were ever sold in individual boxes. Dave

I also like the Dinky Bedford Army Truck, along with its twin, the Austin Army Truck. Here are some closeup photos of both. I bought both of these when a young collector, around 1958 or so. I ordered them directly from H. Hudson Dobson in New Jersey, and fortunately they were both still in mint condition although always being in trade boxes at that time.It is interesting to note that the Bedford truck front grill is painted to match the body, while the Austin is painted like its civilian version, with black and silver trim! Terry The Bedford Army Truck, # 25wm, made 1952-1953 US market only The Austin Military Wagon, #30sm, made 1952-1953 US market only The military truck twins...the Austin and the Bedford together

Here is a box with the lovely Austin. Dave

Hello all, Im not sure about the correct official dates of availability of this model. Patrick Trench, in his fine Dinky Toy Compendium, says mid-1950s. The header of this thread says 1952-55. My 11th edition of Ramsays says 25wm 1952-1954, 640 1954-? As far as I can check the model appears in the 1951 US catalogue for the first time and is certainly missing in the 1955 catalogue, both as a picture and in the loose price list. A picture is also missing in the 1954-1955 US catalogue, but my loose price list is missing, so I cannot exclude that it was mentioned there. I dont know of a dual numbered 25wm 640 trade box, but it may exist. Could some one provide a clue? Anyway, the Bedford Military Truck, or Bedford Army Truck, is one of the five civilian Dinky Toys that were painted in military colours, destined for export to the USA only. I have added a picture combining both the civilian and the military version. As far as I can trace in the catalogues the Bedford Military Truck, the Austin Covered Wagon and the Daimler Military Ambulance became available there in 1951. The Army Staff Car shows up in the 1952 catalogue and the US Army Jeep appears in the US catalogue as late as 1955 for the first time. Having only one example of this model at my disposal I cannot judge if the same casting variations occur as with the civilian Bedford Truck or related Bedford models. The Bedford Military Truck shown here has the strengthened opening for the tipping handle and enlarged spacers added behind the rear wheels. Any comment welcome! Kind regards, Jan

Today i added another 25wm bedford to my collection. This is the same version shown above by other members. The model that i allready had in my collection for some time has some differences as shown here. -radiator in common style instead of green -other wing style at bumper edge -bigger fuel tank We know these casting differences from other bedfords because there where 2 different dies used to make them. Has anybody else seen this 25WM version from the other bedford die before? The paint is 100% original.

Dear Jan, The latest trade box for the 25WM that I know is a type 4A tradebox with the reference number 50157. I have not yet seen a double numbered box if any.At some stage Meccano must have got short of 25WM boxes as I have a picture of a 25 W box with an 'M' sticker below the W.

Hello Kas, Congratulations for getting this very rare late issue of the 25wm from the second die and thank you for posting it. But we want to know more about it. Is the rear bed cast with '411' on it's side and what type of marking is under this model ? A large photo of the underside will be most welcomed.Kind regards.Jacques.

I actually found this other one on ebay: Now almost every seller is using Ebays global shipping program and our goverment is charging extra import taxes it is no longer an option for me to buy from outside the Netherlands. So my Ebay days are over. dead ebay link