NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY - PRESS RELEASE
The following press release has been received this morning from The Northcord Model Company:
UKBUS6535 ADL Enviro400 MMC
- Hampshire Bus
Following the significant success in launching the brand new casting of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC model in the liveries of National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Bluestar, Stagecoach West Scotland, Southern Vectis, Stagecoach South, Ensign Bus, Xplore Dundee, Stagecoach North West, Go North East, Stagecoach North Scotland, Go South Coast, Reading Buses and Greater Manchester Bee Network, Northcord Model Company is now releasing the twenty second version – UKBUS6535 in the livery of Hampshire Bus.
Utilising the 10.9 metre, single door casting, UKBUS6535 represents fleet number 10700 (YEL4T), that was new to Stagecoach South in 2017 with the original registration number SN66VVL.
UKBUS6535 is displaying route activ8 with destination of Salisbury via Tidworth, Bulford.
10700 carries the heritage Hampshire Bus livery, including ‘HampshireBus’ on all sides; ‘Proud to serve Hampshire since 1983’ on both sides and the rear. The name ‘Stagecoach’ and logo with updated colours feature on all sides.
On 1st April 1983, a bus company named Hampshire Bus, was formed to run bus services across Andover, Basingstoke, Winchester and Southampton. Previously, bus services in these areas were operated by the larger Hants & Dorset bus company and which, under the National Bus ownership, was divided into three companies.
Originally, the livery featured a full, blue, rear profile, albeit with white bumper on Leyland Nationals, which was found to be too dark particularly when buses were operated at night so, to enhance visibility, the red wedge was added and this is the version featured on UKBUS6535.
Almost four years to the day since formation, on 2nd April 1987 Hampshire Bus was the first National Bus Company business to be purchased by Skipburn Ltd. and to this day remains to serve the communities of Handover, Basingstoke and Winchester by the Stagecoach Group. Skipburn Ltd. was a holding company formed by Ann Gloag, Brian Souter, their Canadian uncle Frazer McColl and Dawson Williams, MD of Hampshire Bus as a means of purchasing NBC bus operating companies.
The Hampshire Bus name continued until the early 2000s, before finally being absorbed into the Stagecoach brand name.
To mark the 40th anniversary, Stagecoach South unveiled its ADL Enviro400 MMC (10700) in the retro Hampshire Bus livery that was a popular sight on Hampshire streets, during the mid-1980s and until the 1990s, in March 2023.
The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC UKBUS6535 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 UKBUS6535 model is its tree deflector at the front to protect front screen, front dome and side window. 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 Enviro400 MMC bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop (HK) respectively. The UKBUS6535 model is limited to 1008 pieces worldwide.
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