Construction machinery scale models are a perennial favourite among collectors around the world and more than a million Tomy-brand diecast ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½s have been sold over the years, with the classic backhoe loader by far the most popular model.
Earlier this year, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ also celebrated the production of its one millionth full-sized backhoe loader.
As part of its 80th birthday celebrations, a special real-life ‘Backhoe in a Box’ is on display beside the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ lake at Rocester until January. An eight-tonne ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ 3CX Sitemaster backhoe loader is packaged in the style of the familiar 1:32 scale model. It stands nearly 15 feet high by nearly 25 feet wide and is also lit up at night.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ deputy chairman George Bamford said: “Scale models of our iconic machines have been a part of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ family for as long as I can remember. The ‘Backhoe in a Box’ at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’s World HQ is an amazing tribute to our market-leading backhoe and is a truly spectacular sight.”
Pictured below are six-year-old local Lexi Edwards and mum Isabel getting an eyeful of the boxed backhoe.
