25m Studebaker benne basculante [Studebaker Tipping Truck] (1949-1954)

On the same cab/chassis unit of this 1/55 scale Studebaker seven different bodies were mounted during the first half of the 1950s, of which this tipping wagon is one: 25k Camionnette maracher (market gardiners truck). 25l Tapissire (Upholsterer truck). 25m Benne basculante (Tipping truck). 25o Camion laitier (Milk truck). 25p Pick-up. 25q Camionnette bch (Covered truck). 25r Camionnette de dpannage avec grue (Breakdown truck). Three moulds (or versions, states?) can be distinguished. The first of May 1949 has no reinforced support area of the spare wheel. The second one does, however, where the initially rectangular recess on the spot has become smaller and more or less square. The third versions recess is rounded near the spare wheel mounting in the back (see ill.). The first version has black painted all-metal wheels only. The second one comes both with black all-metal wheels and with the later black hubs with rubber M tyres. The third version comes both with black and dark green hubs. This third mould shows a more precise finish, especially of the nicely squared and larger windscreens and the tight, wedge-shaped recesses between the front wings and the extreme ends of the front bumper. Moreover, a wide central strip can be seen on the bonnet at versions one and two, while it has become considerably slimmer at number three. The tipping mechanism is rather sophisticated and functions by moving a rack with the aid of the handle forwards or backwards. The bucket is pushed up this way or allowed to be let down . The rear tailgate is freely moveable and opens automatically in the upright position of the bucket. The bare metal rack is quite thin and breaks rather easily. This also applies to the same mechanism on the no. 25v Ford benne ordures (Refuse wagon) or the very similar counterpart no. 25m Ford benne basculante. The recess, an open slot, for the crankshaft is of course present on all versions of the Studebaker casting. Only on the last of the three moulds a little tin cover is always applied (obviously not with the tipping truck, for which this recess is meant). The tipping truck always has a tin cover plate with a tiny round hole in it to hold the crankshaft in place. A very dark green colour is common, in combination with a metallic grey body. A last rare version is coloured beige / khaki with a brighter, silver-coloured loading platform and cream wheels. A brother is the Ford benne basculante, already mentioned, which was issued one year later (1950). Until April 1954 the period of the Studebaker and the Ford overlapped and one year later, in 1955 this Ford was also withdrawn from the French Dinky Toys range. With its 95 mm, the Ford Benne basculante is one centimeter shorter than the Studebaker. They were both delivered exclusively from trade boxes of six, as usual in this period. The inscriptions of those boxes were exactly the same. The only difference was that the Studebaker box was about two centimeters longer. In 1956 a larger-scale successor appeared, the no. 33b Benne basculante Simca 'Cargo'. It is striking that it was fitted with a much simpler tipping mechanism, consisting of a single lever of bent metal wire only. The real Studebaker truck belongs to the M series of the early 1940s. Either the M 15 (1 ton) or a M 16 (1.5 ton) of 1947 must have been made in miniature by the French factory. This is an edited text from the catalogue text I compiled the other day. No doubt our French fellow Dinky enthusiasts can provide corrections and additions, and show more variants than the single one I do possess. Kind regards, Jan

Jan As usual there is nothing to add to your excellent post.

Jan, Same for me ! nothing to add . Only some more photos to observe the variations. 1) My items, all together : Green hubs and black hubs with tyres and all-metal wheels. 2) 2 types of bonnets and front bumpers 3) 2 types of tools box on the right side under the door. 4) 2 types of the cabin ceilings That'all folks ..... for the moment ! Richard

Merci bien, mes amis, cordialement, Jan