99101 - London Transport DMS580
The Daimler Fleetline with M.C.W. or Park Royal bodywork was London Transports first standardized front entrance, one man operated double decker. The DMS class was first introduced in 1971, and over the next seven years 2646 examples followed, mainly being used to replace the crew operated RT class.
The design was almost unique to the London area, with only South Yorkshire PTE taking similar new vehicles in any quantity. However this situation was set to change as London Transport soon found its DMS buses to be less reliable than had been hoped, indeed early examples of the class were already being withdraw before the final new deliveries had completed.
With the introduced of the M and T class second generation rear engine vehicles, LT began full scale replacement of the DMS class in the early 1980's, the final London Fleetlines being withdrawn from normal stage services in the early 1990's.
Operators facing de-regulation in the mid 1980's were quick to snap up these youthful London rejects. Many of the ex London examples were converted to single door layout, with examples appearing in fleets large and small across the whole of the UK. Some vehicles were even exported to Hong Kong.
THE GILBOW MODELS
During 2004 Best Choose produced a 1/24th scale Daimler Fleetline in China Motor Bus livery, the model was based on a former London Transport DMS class vehicle which had been modified and exported to Hong Kong. The Gilbow model is a joint venture with Drumwell but is based on the original Hong Kong casting which has been modified to represent the vehicle as it appeared while operating with London Transport.
The highly detailed 4 kg model is 15 inches (38 cm) long and has fully working suspension and steering, the models rear engine cover opens to reveal a detailed engine. Other opening features are the folding entrance and exit doors, and the rear upstairs emergency exit, these give access to the internal winding mechanisms that allow the front, side and rear blinds to be adjusted. Each model comes with route blinds containing five different routes all of which are associated with a particular London Transport Depot.
The model also has a fully detailed interior which includes individual seats, handrails, and drivers cab with all the controls and dials faithfully reproduced.
The model is supplied in a special carry case and EFE also intend to produce a sperate purpose made display case to house the model.
Gilbow have plans to release further examples in London Transport livery, each carrying a different fleet number and blinds for selection of routes associated with a particular garage. The first release was limited to just 900 models and future release quantities will also be carefully controlled with an estimated 300 of each.
99101 - London Transport DMS580
The 1/24th DMS packaging