Raphael Lipkin Karrier Bantam ✅

Manufactured by the small London based company Raphael Lipkin, this rare plastic model of a Karrier Bantam with flatbed trailer measures about 34cm in length, and has a red cab and wheel hubs, grey chassis and trailer. The model features a working Karrier BK type coupling with the wide spaced landing wheels and the trailer can be disconnected from the tractor unit by pressing down on a small lever behind the cab. The tractor unit features opening cab doors and a well moulded representation of the Karrier grille and badge in silver. The model is fitted with separate tyres and twin wheels on the tractor rear axle, and has “Made in England” stamped into the underside of the tractor chassis. It comes with a load of two card packing cases labelled “Commer”, “Karrier” and “Rootes Group Products”.

The model is individually packaged in a colourful end flap box illustrated with an image of the truck at work. The printing on the end flaps extols the virtues of the prototype vehicle, which would suggest it to be a promotional item commissioned by the Rootes group. Raphael Lipkin didn’t always mark their products or the packaging and this is the case here.

Released in the 1950s/1960s for the younger end of the market with durability and high play value a priority, this large scale model is nonetheless a very good representation of the original vehicle.

The model is identical to the (differently coloured) PMI “Trooscale” Karrier Bantam described elsewhere on this website.