PART SEVEN - The MK2 LADYBIRDS
Ladybird, under its latter owners, Ladybird Appliances Limited, of Molly Millars Lane,
Wokingham, developed the brand to include a new version of the Ladybird in two cut sizes,
a 12" and an 18". It appears they continued production of the Conversion Unit and their
own Roller Mower.
- Ladybird Electric Floor Polisher (sold in AUS)
- Ladybird 18" Electric Rotary
- Ladybird 12" Electric Rotary
- Ladybird Power Unit (for conversions)
- Ladybird Electric Roller Mower

Acknowledgement
Clive Gravett, of the Old Lawnmower Club, has very generously supplied extra information
on the later Ladybirds that has helped build a more complete picture. A sincere thank you.

Ladybird 'responded' to the British rotary revolution by making a larger electric rotary
lawnmower - the Ladybird '18'. At some point, a smaller Ladybird '12', a 12" version,
replaced the original Model 1 machine.

The newer models (12" and 18") appear to have been built around a clever patent that
essentially adjusted the cutting height of the machine by lowering (or raising) the
motor and base, rather than adjusting height via the front wheels and rear roller.
These were affixed to a rigid tubular frame structure.

[Linked Image]
SOURCE: LH image courtesy BRITISH LAWNMOWER MUSEUM

For me, the later Ladybirds lost their main aesthetic feature - the space aged saucer
shape that somewhat resembled the shell of a ladybird. The MK II machines look - skeletal!
That's a personal thing though, I guess.

[Linked Image]
LH: 18" machine; RH: 12" machine
SOURCE: BRITISH LAWNMOWER MUSEUM
[With thanks to Clive Gravett and Brian Radam]

I do not have evidence these newer models sold here, and it is highly unlikely that
they would have. Australia was, by 1960, sold on the idea of petrol powered lawnmowers.

Having said that, the electric mower was not dead.
The giant Sunbeam Corporation introduced their new 18" electric mower
in 1960. By this time, electric lawnmowers had a niche market of loyal
supporters. By the late 1970s, folks would start to take a new interest...

The rest is history.
-----------------------------
Jack