| Model Bus Zone News April 2021 |
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| March 2021 | Model Bus Zone News Index | May 2021 |
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Omnidekka Models OOC Oxford Rapido Other |
Sunday 25 April |
| Further Brekina Routemaster Models Announced |
Brekina has announced two further forthcoming issues of their AEC Routemaster model. Although the release date hasn't been announced yet the pair can be pre-ordered from specialist Brekina stockists. 61105 London Transport - Queens Silver Jubilee (850 DYE / SRM25) Woolworths Adverts (Route 1 Marylebone) - AEC Routemaster RM Class Double Deck Bus  61106 Arriva London - Queens Golden Jubilee (SMK 750F / RML2750) Marks & Spencer Adverts (Route 38 Victoria) - AEC Routemaster RM Class Double Deck Bus |
Friday 23 April |
| Brekina Open Top Routemaster: Stop Press Update |
The first release of the open top version of the Brekina 1/87 (HO) scale AEC Routemaster bus will be a commissioned model for German model retailer www.stadtimmodell.de. Photographs of a pre-production sample model have now been added to the retailers site and pre-orders are being accepted for the model which depicts HH-MM 278 in Hamburger Stadtrundfahart livery with destinations 1 Hummel Bus. The models are due to be released later this year & are priced &euro34.99 plus delivery. The real vehicle, former RM 2212, has actually been modified with the platform & staircase swapped around to make it safer for passenger boarding. There's a photo on the www.dk-busbilder.de site. Second Update 23 April: Brekina has today announced two further open-top Routemaster models which will be standard releases. These are listed in the releases catalogue for May 2021.  61102 - AEC Routemaster Open-top Bus - Premium Tours / City Tour London (RM2729 / SMK 729F) The real bus is a longer RML class vehicle with the additional half bay.  61104 - AEC Routemaster Open-top Bus - City Sightseeing Berlin It appears the real vehicle also had the modification to the rear for safer passenger boarding. Information source: www.mo87.de |
Thursday 22 April |
| Corgi Release Further OOC Model Stock |
| The following models were released earlier this month. There were reports that at least one major model wholesaler had their orders heavily cut back, this initial shortfall has now been fully fulfilled by Corgi, meaning further stock should be with model retailers soon.  OM46625A New Routemaster Bus - Stagecoach London, {LT406, Route N8 Tottenham Court Road} Supporting World Environment Day allover livery  OM46625B New Routemaster Bus - Stagecoach London, {LT406, Route N8 Hainult} Supporting World Environment Day allover livery Can anyone confirm whether the operator roof code applied to the above models "GAG" is correct? Would this not have been changed to "SCG" upon transfer of LT 406 from Go-Ahead to Stagecoach.  OM46627A New Routemaster Bus - Go Ahead London, {LT394, Route 15 Blackwall} Royal Fusilliers 50th Anniversary allover livery (Same livery as previous twin pack model (OM46620) with different destination)  OM46627B New Routemaster Bus - Go Ahead London, {LT394, Route 15 Stepney Arbour Square} Royal Fusilliers 50th Anniversary allover livery (Same livery as previous twin pack model (OM46620) with different destination) |
Wednesday 21 April |
| Midland Bus Kits Announce Second Kit |
Midland Bus Kits has announced their proposed second kit will be Mercedes Benz 0405N early low floor bus as used by West Midlands Travel.  With permission from Paragonkits to use there white metal front end unit and seating, and also Mark Hughes Models for the use of the Mercedes badge etching and wheel set. The kit will come with a moulded front windscreen, etched brass wipers & mirrors, and also a separate little fare box unit that can be fitted if required. Any interest / pre orders for this kit please visit the Midland Bus Kits Facebook page. or email If there's sufficient interest from modelers to make a run viable, the kit would be expected to be released this summer. |
Tuesday 20 April |
| Model Bus Federation Press Release |
| The following press release has recently been received from the Model Bus Federation. Model Bus Federation Press Release – 16th April 2021 The Model Bus Federation is delighted to announce their next resin kit has just gone for casting. Announced at the end of 2020, MBF2K-09 is a model of the Alexander Enviro 300 with gasket glazing. This model, designed and cast exclusively for the MBF in the U.K., will come complete with conversion parts enabling the modeller to create a model of either a Dennis or MAN as a chassis. CNC machined, this beautifully detailed original kit comes complete with cast white metal wheels, screen-printed glazing and also a brass fret with both mirrors and wipers. Paint and glue is all that is required to complete the model, which will also come with assembly instructions. We anticipate it being released to members during the summer. 
 MBF member kits have always been keenly priced, with any profits from kit sales being reinvested into making masters for new kits for our members. Advance orders have, unsurprisingly, been very strong. So, if you are a member and haven’t yet pre-ordered, please get in contact with the MBF shop now to reserve your kit. 
 
Click to enlarge images The Model Bus Federation - supporting YOUR hobby for over 50 years. Online, on Facebook and in print. For further information or to join the MBF, visit www.model-bus-federation.org.uk, visit our Facebook Page, join our Model Bus and Coach Facebook Group or email or write to us at Publicity Officer, 21 Plough Close, Aylesbury, Bucks HP21 9AD. |
Sunday 18 April | |
| Model Bus Scotland New ADL 300 MAN Kit | |
Model Bus Scotland has announced another resin kit for their model range, the kit is currently at the casters and should be available soon.  The new (Kit 004) ADL 300 MAN Single deck kit will be available with a choice of two chassis/seating option. There's a Stagecoach version that has high back seats or a version with the more standard low back seats. Pre-orders for the kit are now being accepted. More details regarding placing orders can be found on the Model Bus Scotland page. | |
Saturday 17 April |
| Northcord Models Press Release: IEBUS007 |
| The following press release has been issued by Northcord Models. Please note: Northcord has revised the model number from that originally announced IEB0S 0005 to IEBUS 0007, the former number had already been used for an earlier model release. ADL Enviro400H MMC iebus 0007 Dublin Bus Northcord Model Company is pleased to announce the release of iebus 0007, the fifth release of the 10.3 metre, 2-door casting of this distinctive, modern, double-decker in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The fifth livery to be carried on the brand-new Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC model, is Dublin Bus, produced in yellow and green livery. iebus 0007 represents fleet number AH1 (191-D-44403) that has 10.3 metre, dual-door bodywork and was new to Dublin Bus in 2019. 
After a 2 year discussion, in 2019, Dublin Bus received 9 trial buses, 3 electric battery assisted Wrights, 3 Volvo Wright hybrids, and 3 Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMCs (AH1-3). All 9 buses are in an attractive yellow and green version of the Dublin Bus livery and feature flowers and leaf patterns on the livery. Dublin Bus Conyngham Road depot operates the ADL hybrids on busy west Dublin route 25/25A/25B and the model is featured on its route 25B, heading to Adamstown Station. Route 25B runs every 10 minutes and is complimented by ADL Enviro500s operated by sister depot Broadstone to boost passenger capacity. The route starts in the affluent Merrion Square of D2, and travels along the River Liffey ‘Quays’, Heuston Rail Station, Chapolizod bypass, and into Adamstown where its terminus is located at another railway station, ‘Adamstown Station’. AH1 to 3 are the shortest double deckers operating with Dublin Bus and are, body wise, identical to London’s but with the difference being that the wheelchair ramp is at the front door. The Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC iebus 0007 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square-cornered, patented quick-release windows of the real bus and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the iebus 0007 model is its individual tree protector at the front. The front dome on the model is significant, with curved windscreens on both upper deck and lower deck. 
Northcord Model Company is also creating new design standards within the interior of both saloons. These features, inside the compartments, will represent the real, outstanding layout of the Enviro400H MMC, such as the extensive portrayal of handrails on upper deck and lower deck, etc. Further additional detail carried by the model include the special sunlight protection shade on the top of the front upper windscreen. The brand new Enviro400H MMC bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. The IEBUS0007 model is limited to 1200 pieces worldwide. |
Thursday 15 April |
| Rapido Trains UK Model News |
Rapido Trains UK are to produce an OO scale Bedford OB Duple Vista Coach, this is due to be released in 2022 & will be part of the Titfield Thunderbolt 70th Anniversary range. The model will feature poseable front wheels & full interior & exterior detailing to the same standard as the Birmingham Guy Arab & Leyland Fleetline bus models. The Corgi Classics 1/50th scale version of the Titfield Thunderbolt Bedford OB Coach Rapido's SKU920001 will carry the cream, blue & red livery of the Pearce & Crump coach featured in the 1952 film & will be sold as a standalone item. Rapido have also revealed that they will be producing further commissioned examples of the Birmingham Leyland Fleetline bus models for TTC Diecast. These models will wear Midland Fox livery & form part of the second run of Fleetlines that are provisionally planned for late 2022. TTC Diecast have already commissioned four examples of Leyland Fleetline in West Midlands liveries, one in standard livery on route 9 to Quinton & three in the special silver livery applied to marks the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. Pre-order for these four, which are due later this year, are being accepted by TTC Diecast. |
Thursday 15 April & Updated 22 April> | |
| TiNY Kits Update | |
| An update on the current & planned TiNY kits for 2021, many of these have been expected in 2020 but were delayed due to the Covid-19 restrictions. For news of other planned kits, contact & ordering details, please visit the TiNY page in the kits section. | |
Thursday 15 April |
| Omnidekka Models Updates |
| Chris Cotton has sent me an update on his Omnidekka Models Range. Production of the BlueStar Scania Omnidekka models has now been completed by the factory in China, the model are now being shipped to the UK and should arrive in the next 4-6 weeks. The following model photographs supplied by the factory show the final production versions of ES-17A & ES-17B.     ES-17A BlueStar (1004 / YN56 FFK - Route 4 Romney Via North Baddesley) - Scania Omnidekka Single Door Double Deck Bus ES-17B BlueStar (1004 / YN56 FFK - Route 4 Southampton Via Lordshill & Shirley) - Scania Omnidekka Single Door Double Deck Bus The models are priced £50.00 each plus delivery. The models can be ordered from the Omnidekkamodels.com site, Ace Model Buses or Model Buses Collections MBC Facebook page. |
Tuesday 13 March |
| Confirmed Corgi OOC Releases |
| The following Corgi OOC models have now been released in the UK. There are reports that many retailers have had their orders heavily cut back following reduced allocations by Corgi. Its not clear as yet whether Corgi intend to release further stock of these OOC at a later date. OM46625A New Routemaster Bus - Stagecoach London, {LT406, Route N8 Tottenham Court Road} Supporting World Environment Day allover livery OM46625B New Routemaster Bus - Stagecoach London, {LT406, Route N8 Hainult} Supporting World Environment Day allover livery Can anyone confirm whether the operator roof code applied to the above models "GAG" is correct? Would this not have been changed to "SCG" upon transfer of LT 406 from Go-Ahead to Stagecoach. OM46627A New Routemaster Bus - Go Ahead London, {LT394, Route 15 Blackwall} Royal Fusilliers 50th Anniversary allover livery (Same livery as previous twin pack model (OM46620) with different destination) OM46627B New Routemaster Bus - Go Ahead London, {LT394, Route 15 Stepney Arbour Square} Royal Fusilliers 50th Anniversary allover livery (Same livery as previous twin pack model (OM46620) with different destination) |
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Friday 9 April |
| Next Oxford Diecast Omnibus Range Release |
The following 1/76 scale model is expected to be released to UK retailers next week. 76MW6006 West Yorkshire - Bristol MW6G ECW Coach The latest Oxford Diecast Globe Magazine contains details of all the latest new model release & re-issues. It can be viewed on the Oxford Diecast site HERE. |
Saturday 3 April |
| Model Bus Federation April Journal Review |
| The Model Bus Federation's April 2021 issue of the Model Bus Journal has benn sent to out members in the past week. This is the only publication solely dedicated to model bus news & other related articles in the UK. Below is summary of the contents of the 600th issue. If the contents below are of interest, you may wish to consider becoming a member of the MBF, the annual subscription starts at £25.00 with special reduced rates available for younger members aged 14-18. For further details please visit the https://www.model-bus-federation.org.uk. The Model Bus Journal - Issue 600 April 2021 - 36 pages 
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Thursday 1 April |
| Model Bus Scotland Another Forthcoming Kit |
Model Bus Scotland has also completed the master for an ADL Enviro300 kit which is based on the vehicles supplied to First Glasgow. This kit should be released at the same time as the 10.6m Optare Tempo mentioned in yesterdays news item  (Photographs above show the master & the one of the First Glasgow vehicles. Kit 003 ADL Enviro300 Single Deck Bus (First Glasgow) - Pre-order now The kit will be £45.00 with free postage for members of the Model Bus Scotland Facebook Group. Postage & packing for non-members of the (free to join) Facebook group is charged at cost. For more details about the group & model kits, please visit the Model Bus Scotland page. |
| March 2021 | Model Bus Zone News Index | May 2021 |