Name: Dapol 4F-016-022 Banana Van Tropical Fruit M45 Weathered
Brand: Dapol
SKU: 4F-016-022
Price: 12.21 GBP

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest

Manufacturer description

To meet the rapid rise in demand for bananas shipped in from the Caribbean, especially constructed steam heated banana vans were manufactured with plywood cladding and insulated bodies that allowed bananas to be shipped in green and ripened en-route.

The Dapol model of the banana van is of a later 1950’s built variant that was steam piped allowing the easy running of interconnected block trains and features:

Highly detailed body moulding
Weathered finish
Profiled wheels
NEM pockets with self centring couplings
Accurately applied livery

Catalogue listing

Brand

Dapol

Product Code

4F-016-022

RRP

£12.21

Model details

Gauge

Livery

BR grey

Finish

Weathered

Minimum radius curve

Radius 1

Chassis construction

Diecast

Coupling mount

Fixed

Coupling type

Peco style

Minimum radius

Radius 1

Scale

OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)

Tooling date

1995

Prototype information

Builder

BR Wolverton Works

Build dates

1959 to 1960

In service until

1970s

Main duties

Banana Transport
Barrier Vehicles

Operated by

British Railways

Type of vehicle

Insulated box van

Wheel configuration

4-wheel

Operator

British Railways

Wheel arrangement

4-wheel

Built

1959 to 1960

Built by

BR Wolverton Works

Supplier Links

Dapol website

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Related products

Dapol Banana Van Tropical Fruit M45 Weathered is a OO gauge model of a British Railways banana van. The kit is supplied in BR grey livery with a weathered finish, and carries the manufacturer part number 4F-016-022. It represents the early crest period of British Railways and is based on a vehicle built by the BR Wolverton Works between 1959 and 1960.

The real vans were constructed with plywood cladding and insulated bodies, allowing bananas to be shipped green from the Caribbean and ripened during the journey. This model depicts a later 1950s variant that incorporated steam piping to enable operation in interconnected block trains.

Key features of the model include highly detailed body moulding, profile wheels, NEM pockets with self‑centering couplings, accurate livery application and a minimum radius curve of radius 1. The wheel arrangement is four‑wheel and the model is supplied with a weathered finish to reflect its working appearance.