Benbros Mighty Midget No.39 Milk Delivery Van was based on a Bedford CA milk float. The model followed quite closely the Lesney version (29a) even replicating the little vertical bars on each front mudguard.

 

The Benbros Milk Float was cast in two parts, the main body (painted either red or orange), and the white base section which included the milk-bottle crates and held the axles. There was silver trim on the front grille, headlights and bumper but there were no decals or much variation given to the model which made it a bit unexciting. 

 

The first issue had a red body, white base and crates, and small white-painted metal wheels on nail-head and crimped axles. The body and base were fixed together by a rear slot-in tab and a front rivet. On the base 'Benbros Qualitoy Made in England' was cast. Overall No.39 Milk Delivery Van measured 61mm long.

 

The first change was to give the model larger wheels which made it look more realistic but these were still painted white and had nail-head axles.

 

The red colour of the early models could be a bit variable and so the next run saw a change to full orange for the body, again with silver trim, with a white base & crates and large white painted metal wheels on nailhead axles.

 

Finally, the orange version was given small black plastic wheels with flat-head and crimped axles. These axles had particularly large heads and it was the first time that Benbros used them. They did appear again, for example on No.42 Army Despatch Motorcycle, but not often.

 

Benbros No.39 Milk Delivery Van was probably not very popular although examples do turn up from time to time. The first red issue with small wheels is hardest but all the variations in boxed mint condition are scarce.