The Lesney model of the Rotinoff replaced the Diamond T at the number 15 slot in the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1959,
It was an accurate model of the incredible piece of heavy moving equipment that was originally designed as a military tank transporter,
It was powered by a 16.2 litre (988 cubic inch) Rolls Royce diesel engine and it was capable of moving a 300 tonne payload, The Lesney was painted dull orange on the early issues or a brighter and more glossy orange on later ones,
It had a black baseplate affixed by two round rivets and a towhook at the rear to haul the next model in the range which was the 16b super atlantic trailer which was designed specifically to pair up with this model,
It had four 11 x 24 wheels at the back and two 10 x 24 wheels up front and a spare 11 x 24 mounted on the rear bed but occasionally they turn up with 10 x 24's as a spare,
There was a short run with grey wheels which was soon replaced by black wheels which were mounted on dome head axles with crimped ends on the first issue and dome head axles with rounded heads on all later issues,
Silver trim was applied to the front bumper and grille,
There are no known casting variations,
The grey wheeled version is quite rare and it seems that most of them were originally sold in Germany,
The black wheeled version is fairly common although it was in production for four years generally the Rotinoff is not one of the most common of the Lesney models,
It was packaged in 'B', 'C' and 'D' type boxes and was replaced by the 15c Tippax refuse truck in 1963.
