Forward Models

Table listing releases in model number order

I am very grateful to Mr Derek Perry from Forward Models for his assistance in compiling this page.

During April 2011, I reported that Mr Perry had registered a company called Forward Models (Birmingham ) Ltd to investigate the feasibility of producing a 1;76th scale diecast Birmingham standard double deck bus (1950-54). During May 2011, I received a report from The Yardley wood Bus Club who had met with Mr Perry. The first models to be produced were announced as Model 1: Birmingham New Look Guy Arab from 1950 (JOJ533). Model 2: Similar to model 1 but with different fleet number in 1950's condition with advertisements. Details to be confirmed. Models 3&4: Exposed radiator types with JOJ and HOV registrations details to be confirmed. The first models were released during November 2012. The models were initially released in a yellow box with a solid cardboard lid. During August 2017, Forward Models unveiled a new company logo based on the bonnet badge of Daimler buses from the 1950s and the boxes were updated in response to requests from the Trade and collectors. The new carton features a transparent lid, allowing the model to be seen without removing the lid. Forward Models described the new packaging as "The lid is entirely made from clear acrylic with the sides printed with Forward Models' distinctive blue and yellow stripes along with new logo prominent. The base packaging remains the same, with the model easy to remove and replace for display". A the time of writing (28/2/2019) only models GDM-19 (Glasgow) and GDM20 (Manchester) have been released in the second style of packaging. I have shown below, images of the two styles of packaging and a selection of Newsletters and other communications released by Forward Models. Click on the thumb to view larger images.

Finally, you will see in the list of models below that models 16 and 17 are missing, Mr Perry has advised me that these were to be commissioned models, but were never produced.

On Monday 29th July 2019, Mr Derek Perry from Forward Models published the below text on his Facebook page. A similar post was published on the Forward Models Facebook page.

Forward Models At The Terminus

"Forward Models (Birmingham) Limited has announced that it is closing down. The announcement was made following the retirement of the founder, Derek Perry, due to ill health and prices rises which affected the sale of new models.

The company was set up by in 2011 by Derek who wanted to make a few models of the buses he remembered growing up in Birmingham in the 1950s and 1960s. Derek went on to produce 4,000 buses in that first batch of Birmingham 'Standards' including 'tin fronts' and Crossley radiators. Further models were produced in WMPTE livery and later in Edinburgh, Hull and Newcastle colours.

Designs were also prepared for buses from Manchester and Glasgow, to be followed by Belfast, Coventry, Rotherham, Cardiff and other cities. The order was to be sent to the factory in China at the end of June 2016, coinciding with the result of the referendum. There was an immediate and regrettable reaction on the international money markets. The value of the pound dropped massively.

The models were eventually delivered in early 2018 but at a selling price that was 50% higher than the previous models. Inevitably, they did not sell well enough in a market that was already in turmoil with the loss of EFE and other manufacturers. Derek was diagnosed with a serious illness. This made it impossible to continue the tasks of administering the company and marketing the new models. Derek decided to wind up the company in early 2019. He says: 'My plans for the future are sadly ended. It is with much regret that I am simply unable to continue as Forward Models. I can, at least, say that I am proud of the models I was able to produce and I thank everyone who has supported this enterprise'."

For more news about Forward Models, and offers on their models, please go to: https://www.forwardmodels.net/Forward-Models-at-the-terminus.html?fbclid=IwAR1sWrnk1uUtg6LlUKE7e95W2tL4H1-Vf8ZlVutniHqWgiMbl3yZtABRlKY