I've recently seen an electric milk float advertised for sale that was previously used as an outside broadcast truck for Blue Peter / the BBC. I know there are some regular posters on here who have previously worked for the BBC, and I wondered if anyone has any knowledge / photos of the milk float in its former glory?
I'm thinking of taking a punt on buying and restoring it - having previously converted a milk float into an outdoor music stage that I took to the Edinburgh Fringe I'm not going into this with my eyes totally wide-shut - but would like to know more about its pedigree before taking the leap (or should I say float) of faith!
BBC Blue Peter Outside Broadcast Electric Milk Float
BBC Blue Peter Outside Broadcast Electric Milk Float
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- paulsmusic
Regular - Posts: 178 Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:05 am
Re: BBC Blue Peter Outside Broadcast Electric Milk Float
The beeb has certainly used battery-powered milk-float type vehicles at some of its larger sites for moving equipment and scenery around. I've seen at least one in use at TVC in years gone by, and we had one at Wood Norton, so that part is credible, at least.
The outside broadcast truck thing is, at best, a stretch of the term, but it wouldnt surprise me if someone has sat in the back with a handheld camera being driven in front of some moving participants — and Blue Peter did often break out of the studio to film things in the studio service ring or in the garden.
So, yes, plausible as an equipment/camera carrier... but not what I'd call an OB truck!
The outside broadcast truck thing is, at best, a stretch of the term, but it wouldnt surprise me if someone has sat in the back with a handheld camera being driven in front of some moving participants — and Blue Peter did often break out of the studio to film things in the studio service ring or in the garden.
So, yes, plausible as an equipment/camera carrier... but not what I'd call an OB truck!
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- Hugh Robjohns
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In my world, things get less strange when I read the manual...
(But generally posting my own personal views and not necessarily those of SOS, the company or the magazine!)
In my world, things get less strange when I read the manual...
Re: BBC Blue Peter Outside Broadcast Electric Milk Float
Thanks Hugh! It does say on the milk float that it was an outside broadcast vehicle, but I can't find any information on the internet about it. They might give me a Blue Peter badge if I do it up though! 
This is it:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1ARyobjFmQ/
This is it:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1ARyobjFmQ/
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- paulsmusic
Regular - Posts: 178 Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:05 am
Re: BBC Blue Peter Outside Broadcast Electric Milk Float
A vehicle registered to the old Outside Broadcast section for lugging gear around? Sure.
An 'outside broadcast vehicle'? Not by my definition!
An 'outside broadcast vehicle'? Not by my definition!
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- Hugh Robjohns
Moderator -
Posts: 43688 Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 12:00 am
Location: Worcestershire, UK
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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound...
(But generally posting my own personal views and not necessarily those of SOS, the company or the magazine!)
In my world, things get less strange when I read the manual...
(But generally posting my own personal views and not necessarily those of SOS, the company or the magazine!)
In my world, things get less strange when I read the manual...
Re: BBC Blue Peter Outside Broadcast Electric Milk Float
Hugh Robjohns wrote: ↑Thu May 01, 2025 4:08 pm A vehicle registered to the old Outside Broadcast section for lugging gear around? Sure.
An 'outside broadcast vehicle'? Not by my definition!
Sounds about right to me.
In case it helps date things, that logo on the side would appear to be from 2008-2011, curtesy of Logopedia
Re: BBC Blue Peter Outside Broadcast Electric Milk Float
Thanks Alec! I'm sure Hugh is right, the lack of sides on the vehicle suggests it was more likely to have been used for carrying plants around the Blue Peter garden!
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- paulsmusic
Regular - Posts: 178 Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:05 am
Re: BBC Blue Peter Outside Broadcast Electric Milk Float
To be fair, it says "Outside Broadcasts" on it...
...but yeah, not your typical OB vehicle; perhaps more in a support role. Dog blanket etc.
...but yeah, not your typical OB vehicle; perhaps more in a support role. Dog blanket etc.
Re: BBC Blue Peter Outside Broadcast Electric Milk Float
Well it's awful cute! Would be lovely to see it going.
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- Tomás Mulcahy
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