Photographs taken by me of the magazine pages are purely to illustrate the build stages, so that the entire project can be followed from the start to the completed model in issue order. The copyright of Hachette Partworks is acknowledged.

MAGAZINE ISSUE 11 - FITTING THE STEERING MECHANISM
I had no big issues with this weeks build, which involved putting together the steering rods and links and fitting them to the front axle and suspension system which was completed in issue 10. The only issue I had was two of the holes had to be opened up slightly with the small file I purchased at the beginning of the build (see issue 2). I also found it helpful to actually screw the screw into the hole on a couple of occasions and then remove it prior to attaching the relevant part and then screwing it together.

This issues magazine features an articles about route 2 between Marylebone Station and West Norwood and obstacles for the transport system in the 19th century. 

Issue 12 involves attaching parts of the brake mechanism to the left rear suspension arm.

INSTRUCTIONS ISSUE 11 - FITTING THE STEERING MECHANISM

BUILD ISSUE 11 - FITTING THE STEERING MECHANISM

MAGAZINE ISSUE 12 - LEFT REAR SUSPENSION ARM AND BRAKE MECHANISM
Week 12 is the first of two similar builds, the left and right rear suspension arm and brake mechanism.  I found the build to be quite straight forward, having fitted a spring previously I knew to check that it was fitted the correct way up. The stiffener which is shown in photograph 3 of the build (to the left of the spring and goes over the top of the brake line connector) kept falling out, but a few small dabs of GS Hypo Cement glue quickly put an end to that problem.

This weeks magazine features articles on the continuation of Route 2 between Oxford St and Hyde Park and an interesting article on what makes the perfect bus looking the very beginning of the Routemaster design.

As previously mention week 13 is the construction of the right rear suspension arm and brake mechanism.

INSTRUCTIONS ISSUE 12 - LEFT REAR SUSPENSION ARM AND BRAKE MECHANISM

BUILD ISSUE 12 - LEFT REAR SUSPENSION ARM AND BRAKE MECHANISM

MAGAZINE ISSUE 13 - RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION ARM AND BRAKE MECHANISM
Week 13 is the second of two similar builds, the left and right rear suspension arm and brake mechanism. Having just completed the left side in week 12, I experienced no issues with the right.

This weeks magazine features articles on the continuation of Route 2 past the south east corner of Hyde Park and the Buckingham Palace gardens Hyde Park and an article about the need for electrical power to run the deeper underground lines in the early 1900's.

In issue 14 the rear axle is fitted between the rear suspension arms and two cross pieces strengthen the structure.

INSTRUCTIONS ISSUE 13 - RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION ARM AND BRAKE MECHANISM

BUILD ISSUE 13 - RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION ARM AND BRAKE MECHANISM

MAGAZINE ISSUE 14 - FITTING THE REAR AXLE
I thought this weeks build was a very satisfying one, it took me about 40 minutes to complete and brought together the parts from builds 12, 13 and 14. I see now why you were told in 12 and 13 to leave the end of the brake line loose and not connect it to the brake line connector as it was necessary to feed the pipe through small holes in the cross bar, at which point you could connect the loose end to the brake line connector on the suspension arm.

This weeks magazine features articles on route number 2 between Vauxhall, Brixton and the destination at Norwood an interesting article about  the history of AEC and some of the other vehicles they worked on including the AEC Type (Double and single deck). The RT, Regent V and Reliance.

Next weeks build is to assemble the suspension arms and shock absorber columns.

INSTRUCTIONS ISSUE 14 - FITTING THE REAR AXLE

BUILD ISSUE 14 - FITTING THE REAR AXLE

MAGAZINE ISSUE 15 - ASSEMBLING THE SUSPENSION ARMS BAR
After last weeks satisfying build, this weeks was the quickest build completed to date and took under 5 minutes (including reading the instructions). It was very simple to complete, with no issues whatsoever. It only comprised 6 pieces and one of those was a spare screw! At the end of the instructions is a couple of pages so you can check your progress which shows where the parts constructed in weeks 1 to 15 fit on the completed model.

This weeks magazine features articles on route 15 from Blackwall station, through the East End and an article about the very early motor buses, starting with the steam bus.

INSTRUCTIONS ISSUE 15 - ASSEMBLING THE SUSPENSION ARMS BAR

BUILD ISSUE 15 - ASSEMBLING THE SUSPENSION ARMS BAR

MAGAZINE ISSUE 16 - FITTING THE REAR CHASSIS FRAME
Another build combing parts from previous builds with this weeks parts. In this case combining the build from weeks 14 and 15 with this weeks rear chassis frame. I experienced no difficulties with the build. In the magazine, the journey on route 15 continues, taking in famous East End locations including Sydney Street (1911 Sydney Street siege) and Whitechapel infamous for Jack the Ripper. There is also an article about designer Douglass Scott, the man behind the "stylish interior of the Routemaster bus", I did not know but Mr Scott was also the man behind the red telephone box.

INSTRUCTIONS ISSUE 16 - FITTING THE REAR CHASSIS FRAME

BUILD ISSUE 16 - FITTING THE REAR CHASSIS FRAME

MAGAZINE ISSUE 17 - CONNECTING THE CHASSIS FRAMES
This build connected the parts from week 16 build, with the front section of the chassis frame. This model is now bringing to feel very weighty! I experienced no difficulties with the build which only took me about 10 minutes start to finish. The magazine description of route 15 continues with the route having reached The Tower of London and The Monument. Notable facts from the Towers history are covered, including the obligatory stories of famous prisoners and ghosts in the Tower as well as the Crown Jewels. The route continues from the Tower to The Monument built to commemorate the Great Fire in 1666. The column has 311 steps and I climbed it recently with my daughter, you get a good view from the top. The second feature article in the magazine tells readers about Charabancs and day trips. I did not know that the word Charabanc originates from the French "Char à bancs" meaning "carriage with wooden benches".  Next weeks build is the first tyre and rim for one of the pairs of rear tyres.

INSTRUCTIONS ISSUE 17 - CONNECTING THE CHASSIS FRAMES

BUILD ISSUE 17 - CONNECTING THE CHASSIS FRAMES

MAGAZINE ISSUE 18 - FITTING THE FIRST OF THE REAR WHEELS
The first of 4 builds in relation to the rear wheels. This build was one of the quickest and easiest to date. I read a tip that you needed to warm the tyres using a hairdryer to make the plastic malleable, it then easily went onto the hub. Thank you to my wife for lending me the hairdryer (I have not got enough hair to need one!). The magazine has interesting articles on the final section of Route 15 including how Charing Cross got its name and how the Routemaster got its name. Initially the name selected was "Roadmaster", but was not felt to be modern enough. Following the austerity of the war years, LT wanted their bus to reflect a forward looking spirit.. The name Routemaster was decided on as it was felt it had dynamic and modern connotations!

INSTRUCTIONS ISSUE 18 - FITTING THE FIRST OF THE REAR WHEELS

BUILD ISSUE 18 - FITTING THE FIRST OF THE REAR WHEELS

MAGAZINE ISSUE 19 - FITTING THE FIRST PAIR OF REAR WHEELS
Another very simple build, taking only a few minutes long than last weeks. The magazine describes route 52 from Willesden Garage to Victoria via Notting Hill. An interesting read is about standardising buses X-Type and B-Type. It explains how X-Type was followed in design by the B-Type which was considered to be the worlds first mass produced bus, with 20 produced each week at a cost of £300 each!

INSTRUCTIONS ISSUE 19 - FITTING THE FIRST PAIR OF REAR WHEELS

BUILD ISSUE 19 - FITTING THE FIRST PAIR OF REAR WHEELS

MAGAZINE ISSUE 20 - OFFSIDE REAR OUTER WHEEL
This build was a straight repeat of week 18 and only took me  couple of minutes. This week continues the journey on route 52 from Ladbroke Grove to Kensington and also contains an interesting article about Colin Curtis the former Vehicle Engineering Manger (London Buses). In issue 21 the last of the rear wheels are fitted.

INSTRUCTIONS ISSUE 20 - OFFSIDE REAR OUTER WHEEL

BUILD ISSUE 20 - OFFSIDE REAR OUTER WHEEL

BUILD YOU OWN ROUTEMASTER

ISSUES ELEVEN TO TWENTY

This page last updated Friday, 24 April 2020