Model Bus Zone News
May 2019
 March 2019  Model Bus Zone News Index June 2019 
Click the links to view the further details related to the News item.
Filter Content:    Kits    Northcord    Oxford    Resin Models    Other   

Friday 31 May
Confirmed Northcord Model Releases
The following Northcord model has now been released in the UK.


UK6509 - Abellio Bus (2616 SN18 KJL) 196 Elephant & Castle - ADL Enviro 400 MMC Dual Door Double Deck Bus
Information kindly supplied by


Wednesday 29 May
An Unusual New Release
Autocult have just released a interesting model with a loose coach related connection.
The new 1/43rd scale model depicts one of the seven Bedford SB3 with special mobile cinema bodies built in 1967 by Coventry Steel Caravans, utilising cabs supplied by Plaxtons. The vehicles were built for the Ministry of Technology and operated by the Production Engineering Research Association (PERA), trailers were originally attached which carried exhibitions supporting films shown in the 32 seat cinema.


The model only depicts the cinema vehicle, but has a fully detailed cinema interior which can be viewed via a removable roof section.


The models have just arrived in the UK according to wholesaler John Ayrey Diecast's website. These highly detailed models don't come cheap however & have a RRP of £130.99.

AUTOCULT ATC 10004 - Bedford SB3 Mobile Cinema White/Blue Ministry of Technology

The vehicle depicted by the model is the only survivor and has been fully restored.
More details about this unique vehicle (KJU 267E) can be found at www.vintagemobilecinema.co.uk.

Tuesday 28 May
Another Oxford Omnibus Range Release
A further coach model, in addition to the already reported Southdown Duple Commander II Coach mentioned below, is also included in the latest batch of new Oxford Diecast Releases which should be with UK retailers later this week.


NWFA002 - Grey Cars (ROD 750) - Weymann Fanfare AEC Reliance Coach (N scale)

Saturday 25 May
Other New Model Bus Releases
There are a couple of new releases from Ixo & Roden Kits to report this week.
Firstly the 1/43rd scale open top Ixo RT in London Transport livery has now arrived in the UK.


Ixo BUS018 - London Transport (Original Sightseeing Tour) - AEC Regent III RT Open Top Bus

Roden Kits part of the Bachmann Europe Group have released a new 1/72nd scale plastic kit of the London B type bus in the WW1 'Old Bill' military configuration.

Roden URO732 - Old Bill WW1 - London B type Bus

There are also plans for a future release of the kit as a normal LGOC bus (URO739). The military version has a RRP of £15.99.

Saturday 25 May
Next Oxford Omnibus Range Release
The next Omnibus range model from Oxford Diecast will be the first release of the new Duple Commander II coach.
The Southdown model is expected to be released in the UK next week.


76DC001 - Southdown - Duple Commander II Coach
Information kindly supplied by


Monday 20 May
Jotus Optare Spectra Demonstrator Release Update
These models have now been manufactured & wholesaler John Ayrey Diecast is expecting these models to arrive in the UK towards the end of May or in June.
These model will be general releases in the Jotus Resin Specialist range.


JOTUS RS76623A
Optare Spectra Double Deck Bus - Optare Demonstrator (route 003) - Limited edition of 100 models


JOTUS RS76623B
Optare Spectra Double Deck Bus - Optare Demonstrator on loan to Trent Buses (route R11) - Limited edition of 50 models

Information kindly supplied by


Saturday 18 May
Further New LBRT Waterslide Transfers Now Available
LBRT Transfers continues to add new items to their range of transfers for 1/76 scale London Bus Models.

The latest batch of new transfers are all route blinds, these include further RT routes, several new RTW routes, and large selection of Metrobus, Titan & Leyland National routes.
The popular Corgi OOC Borismaster/New Routemaster is also catered for the first time with a selection of 39 routes.

The range of RLH blinds that were originally done for a kit version of the model have all been re-done to make them fit the later EFE models better, there are also several new routes.

A full list of all the latest transfers can be viewed by clicking the thumbnail below.


View the full transfer range at www.lbrtransfers.co.uk

Thursday 16 May
The Scottish Coach Collection
The Buckie Model Centre have commissioned a series of eleven VDL Futura 2 coach models in the liveries of several well known Scottish coach operators.

The releases are all based on the Holland Oto 1/87th scale version of the VDL Futura 2, each model is limited to either 125 or 100 pieces and all are exclusive to the Buckie Model Centre.

The models are priced between £34.00 & £36.00 each plus delivery and can be ordered via the retailers' online store at: buckiemodelcentre.com.


Issue 1 Maynes of Buckie VIP Class livery (21 / K60 GSM) - Limited to 125 Pieces


Issue 2 Maynes of Buckie Standard livery (12 / K60 GSM) - Limited to 125 Pieces


Issue 3 Maynes of Buckie / David Urquhart Travel livery (9 / R90 GSM) - Limited to 125 Pieces


Issue 4 Peace Coaches, Aberdeen (SF16 KUT) - Limited to 125 Pieces


Issue 5 Deveron Coaches, Macduff & Buckie (SF17 EDR) - Limited to 100 Pieces


Issue 6 Kineil Coaches, Fraserburgh (SF65 CZP) - Limited to 100 Pieces


Issue 7 Premier Travel, Kintore (SF17 EDL) - Limited to 100 Pieces



Issue 8 Prentice Westwood, West Calder (TSV 607) - Limited to 100 Pieces


Issue 9 Watermill Coaches, Fraserburgh Standard livery (FXZ 8492) - Limited to 100 Pieces


Issue 10 RS Coaches, Sauchen (SF17 EDL) - Limited to 100 Pieces


Issue 11 Watermill Coaches, Fraserburgh 40th Anniversary livery (WM11 LLL) - Limited to 100 Pieces

Thursday 16 May
Next Oxford Diecast Model Releases
The following 1/76 scale Oxford Diecast models should be arriving with UK Retailers immenently.


76FRE005 - London Underground - Land Rover Freelander


76FTC011 - London Underground - Ford Transit Connect Van


76TPU003 - London Underground - Ford Transit Dropside


76LAN2018 - Southdown Motor Services - Land Rover Series II LWB Canvas


76LRT009 - Alexander Bluebird- Leyland Royal Tiger Coach
Information kindly supplied by


Tuesday 14 May
Confirmed Northcord Model Releases In UK
The Yardley Wood Bus Club has advised that the following models have now been released in the UK.

UK6508A - National Express West Midlands (6843 SN66 WFM) X1 Coventry - ADL Enviro400 MMC
UK6508B - National Express West Midlands (6843 SN66 WFM) X1 Birmingham - ADL Enviro400 MMC
Information kindly supplied by


Sunday 12 May
Commissioned TTC Diecast Northcord Model Released
TTC Diecast have now recieved stock of their exclusive commissioned Dealer Stock White ADL Enviro 400 MMC models.


N6510A
Dealer Stock White - ADL Enviro 400MMC 10.5m Single Door

The fully assembled model which is a limited edition of just 240 pieces can be purchased from the TTCDiecast.com site for £54.99.

Wednesday 1 May
Northcord Press Release
Northcord Models have issued the following press release today.
UK6510
ADL Enviro400 MMC - Yellow Buses

Northcord Model Company is pleased to announce the release of UK6510, the second release of the long awaited 10.5 metre single door casting of this distinctive, modern, double-decker in the United Kingdom.

UK6510 represents fleet number 200 (SN17 MTO) that has 10.5 metre, single door bodywork and was new to Bournemouth Transport Ltd in 2017. 200 carries full Yellow Buses livery and branding for route 3. The special, comprehensive livery and branding are 100% reproduced onto the UK6510 model. The stand-out features of the branding are: the “contactless on every bus” and “To and From Bournemouth Rail Station” on the front, and “Direct up to every 10 mins Mon to Sat daytimes Bournemouth to Castlepoint” at the back. Additionally, the prominent route number “3” along with the key locations served, are repeated on both sides.

Further additional details carried by the model include the free Wi-Fi logo on the front and rear.

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC UK6510 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square, gasket-mounted windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the UK6510 model is its dual tree protectors 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 Enviro400 MMC, such as the extensive portrayal of handrails on upper deck and lower deck, etc.

The brand new 10.5 metre Enviro400 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 UK6510 model is limited to 1008 pieces worldwide.


UK distributor John Ayrey Diecast has issued revised release dates for the outstanding Northcord Models as follows.

Already released in Hong Kong & due in UK soon. (RRP £59.99)
UK6508A - National Express West Midlands (6843 SN66 WFM) - X1 Coventry - Due May 2019
UK6508B - National Express West Midlands (6843 SN66 WFM) - X1 Birmingham - Due May 2019
UK6509 - Abellio Bus (ABL2616 SN18 KLJ) - Due May/Jun 2019
UK6510 - Yellow Buses (200 SN17 MTO) - Due Jun 2019

Other Future Releases (RRP £59.99)
UK6511 - Stagecoach West Scotland (10930 SN67 XAY)- Due Jul 2019
UK6512 - Southern Vectis (1660 HW67 AHY) - Due Aug 2019
UK6513 - Stagecoach South (10892 YX67 VCE) - Due Jul 2019
UK6514 - First in Glasgow (33982HB SN65 OFX) - Due Jul 2019
UK6515 - Metroline (TEH2087 LK15 CUH) - Due Jun 2019
UK6516 - Stagecoach South Gold (10770 – SN66 VYR) - Due Sep 2019
UK6517 - ADL Enviro400 10.5m ckd kit – Comprising a full set of unpainted parts for collector self-assembly - Due Aug 2019 (RRP £55.99)

Wednesday 1 May
Commissioned TTC Diecast Northcord Model Due Next Week
TTC Diecast are expecting the delivery of their exclusive commissioned Dealer Stock White ADL Enviro 400 MMC models next week.


N6510A
Dealer Stock White - ADL Enviro 400MMC 10.5m Single Door

The model which is a limited edition of just 240 pieces is supplied fully assembled and depicts a single door 10.5m version of the bus. No registrations, fleet numbers or route destinations are applied to this version.
The model has Northcord product code N6510A and can be purchased from the TTCDiecast.com site for £54.99.

 March 2019  Model Bus Zone News Index June 2019