Carlton Mid-Head Racket
In 1983 the Carlton Sports Company launched their new Mid-Head racket; the racket had a 227mm x 185 mm aluminium head with a steel shaft and an overall length of 645 mm. Owing to the smaller head size the strings had more tension and the racket only weighed 101.5 grams. The racket was manufactured at Carlton’s factory in England.
Photos: – Geoff Hinder
Click on images to enlarge
Carlton said in their advert: – “It’s Aerodynamite! The new Carlton ‘Mid-Head’ Explode into action with Carlton’s new supercharged aluminium. It’s totally revolutionary – and will make the biggest impact ever on the game of Badminton! It weighs only 90 grams, and its head surface is reduced by 16% – for up to 20% more power! It’s streamlined design makes other rackets seem top-heavy. And the extra string tension makes it taut and responsive – for quick-fire attack and lightning response”
In 1983 the Carlton Mid-Head could be purchased strung in gut for £42.50 and with synthetic strings £33.00.
The idea of having a shorter badminton racket with a smaller head did not catch on.
This racket and many more can be seen at the National Badminton Museum, National Badminton Centre, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, MILTON KEYNES MK8 9LA.
Visitors are welcome to look around the Museum unescorted at any time – the National Badminton Centre is normally open 9am to 8pm every day.
National Badminton Centre
Lodge Hotel
For more information and to book a room go to: – Badminton England website – https://www.badmintonengland.co.uk – National Badminton Centre – National Badminton Centre Hotel.
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If you have any badminton memorabilia, archive material, or any other items and would like to donate them to the National Badminton Museum please contact us at: –
museum@badmintonengland.co.uk
Thank you to all the ‘Friends of the Museum’ and people who have made donations to the National Badminton Museum, your support enables us to purchase extremely rare badminton artefacts for the National Collection as they become available.
