This photographs shows a resin prototype of the new EFE AEC Renown

Photograph © Exclusive First Editions Ltd

This photographs shows a resin prototype of the new Guy GS

Photograph © Exclusive First Editions Ltd

This photographs shows model number 29901 10T10 Green Line

Photograph © Exclusive First Editions Ltd

2nd posting Thursday 29 January 2004

**PRESS RELEASE**

Further to my news article of 6 January 2004, I am able to reveal the identity of the mystery model. I am very grateful to Sun Star for providing the below press release and photographs of this model which has until now been kept a well guarded secret. This model is being officially unveiled at the London Toy Fair at 10.15 this morning.

Embargoed until 09h00, Thursday January 29th 2004

LONDON TRANSPORT ROUTEMASTER MODEL CELEBRATES THE 50th

ANNIVERSARY OF AN INTERNATIONAL DESIGN ICON

EXQUISITE DETAILING AND OVER 13 INCHES LONG

2004 sees the 50th anniversary of an international design icon, the London Transport Routemaster bus, the first prototype of which was unveiled at the Commercial Motor Exhibition at Earl's Court on 24th September 1954. What better way to celebrate this achievement than with a fine scale model?

Sun Star Models Development Limited, renowned in the model world for its high quality die-cast road vehicles, has focused all its design expertise on producing a scale model Routemaster and in so doing, has created the best model bus ever manufactured.

MAGNIFICENT IN 1:24^th SCALE AND OVER 13" LONG
Produced in 1:24th scale, this Routemaster replica is over 13 inches long and 7 inches high, which is large enough to display all the minute detail of the full size original, from individual bell push buttons on the platform to the fine detail of the London Transport seat moquette and the exact pattern and texture of the floor covering.

This model (first in a series of exclusive limited editions) is an exact replica of RM8, the first production vehicle, as displayed at the 1958 Commercial Motor Exhibition at Earl's Court - it was the star of the show. Advertisements, blinds and all graphic details applied to the real thing are modelled in exact scale and applied using the latest state of the art techniques.

248 COMPONENTS FOR UNSURPASSED DETAIL
Sun Star's tooling design engineers have excelled in the amount of detail incorporated into this superb replica that is hand assembled from 248 parts from 23 separate moulds. The main body of the model is cast in metal while the fine detail components, including seats, driver's cab interior, handrails, clear lamp lenses, mirrors, indicators and over 200 other fine components are moulded in high quality plastics. The delicate radiator and brake cooling grilles are produced by photo etching to exact scale while hand finishing, ink pad printing operations and decals provide exact copies of the original exterior and interior decoration. Open the bonnet and there in full detail is the 9.6 litre AEC six-cylinder diesel engine looking ready for the driver to start up! Under floor detail is not missed either with engine/transmission, axle, sub-frames, fuel and air brake system features all in three dimensions.

This imposing Routemaster model, like its full size counterpart, will undoubtedly appeal to an international audience including real and model bus enthusiasts, nostalgic bus and transport industry employees, visitors to London and those who simply appreciate fine design. Colin Hill, Managing Director of Sun Star Europe and the driving force behind the model said, 'We simply could not let the golden jubilee of such a design icon pass without producing a replica, worthy of the original. This is no ordinary replica, because it is produced  in a scale and with such fine detail never before attempted in a model bus. We're very proud to have created such a tribute to an icon of transport history which is soon to be retired'. Colin added, 'We have spoken to a number of experts, including owners of preserved vehicles and members of the original design team and taken hundreds of photographs, in order to ensure that every detail is as near to the original as possible, and more importantly, as accurately to scale as we could possibly manage'.

The Sun Star Routemaster will be available from selected model shops from June, and will be priced at £99.95.

CLICK HERE to view exclusive high quality photographs of the model or visit www.sunstartoys.com

MODEL SPECIFICATION

London Transport Routemaster RM 8 - Registration number VLT 8

Manufactured by Sun Star Models Development Ltd of Macau

Scale 1:24^th

Dimensions
Length: 13.75"/35cm
Height: 7.2"/18.3cm
Width: 3.9"/10cm

Components
23 separate moulds
248 separate parts
7 in die-cast Mazak alloy
237 in high quality plastic
3 photo etched

Decoration
130 operations
80 individual Tampo' pad printing passes
40 hand-applied decals
Mask spray painting

Please note: If copying and publishing this press release elsewhere please acknowledge www.britishmodelbuses.com as the source of your information.

09.00hrs Thursday 29th January 2004

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE WEEK COMMENCING 26 JANUARY 2004
The following models are scheduled for release next week:
12116 Harrington Cavalier Northern
29004 GM Fleetline Lancashire United

Friday 23 January 2004

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASE

UKBUS2006 - Brighton & Hove

Plaxton President-Bodied Dennis Trident

Following the great success of its 2-door Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident replicas (UKBUS2003, Metroline and UKBUS2005, First London) in 2003, Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL) has proudly released its latest single door version of this casting, UKBUS2006, in exclusive Brighton & Hove livery. It will again be the focus of attention from bus model collectors as well as from bus enthusiasts.

The Plaxton President is one of the most popular double-deck bodies in the UK, particularly when fitted to the Dennis Trident chassis. The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door and engine detail. This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the gasket windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. The replica has new features presenting the special requirements of Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company, e.g. the long, sideways-facing seats on the lower saloon, big destination blind at the rear, etc. Like all CMNL double-decker replicas, the model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together. The UKBUS2006 model is limited to 1800 pieces worldwide.

The replica carries the fleet number 859 (Y859 GCD), which is one of a batch of 24 Dennis Tridents with Plaxton President bodywork delivered to Brighton & Hove in 2001. The bus is named ‘Thomas Tilling’ – a name famous in the history of bus operations in the UK.

The brand new single door Plaxton President double-deck bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following model has been released to EFE subscribers:
16406A AEC RT London Transport (EFE Subscriber offer model). The model is certificated at 1400 pieces and I hope to bring you photographs of this model later in the week.

Tuesday 20 January 2004

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASE

New Casting - Dennis Mini Pointer Dart

----ukbus3001 - Cardiff Bus MPD

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL) has proudly released its third new casting for its famous ukbus series, a Plaxton Pointer-bodied Dennis Dart (MPD). The launch model is a replica of Cardiff Bus colours.

CMNL is again creating history when it releases this MPD bus model, just as Cardiff Bus did when it standardized new vehicle deliveries on the Dennis Dart since 1997.

The MPD is one of the most popular single-deck super-low-floor buses in the UK. The replicas will soon be hot items among bus model collectors as well as bus enthusiasts as they represent liveries seen across the UK.

The Cardiff Bus replica carries the registration number of CE02 UUG. It features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door, showing the detailed 1:76 scale environmental friendly Euro 3 engine. This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the gasket windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. There is an individual partition behind the driving seat which can be coloured to represent the full fibre-glass partition, or which can have a window within it, representing the high quality and accuracy of the replica. The model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together and does not need screws to attach it to the plinth.

The Cardiff Bus MPD is the tenth 1:76 scale diecast bus or coach from Creative Master Northcord Limited since 2000, following the Volvo Super Olympian / Alexander 500, Mitsubishi FUSO MP non-step bus, Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royale, Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400, Hino Selega coach, Shanghai Sunwin Volvo B7R, Mitsubishi FUSO Aerobus coach, Dennis Trident / Plaxton President, and Leyland Olympian / Alexander R.

The brand new MPD bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

To view photographs of the model CLICK HERE

Monday 19 January 2004

Corgi state that the models have been delayed "Due to the extreme weather conditions experienced at sea"

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
27612 Wright Volvo Renown Keighley and District
28903 G.M. Standard Atlantean The Delaine
29301 Leyland Olympian (Type A) Wilts & Dorset

OM42703 CORGI OOC VAN HOOL ALIZEE - EDDIE BROWN TOURS
The latest edition of the Corgi OOC Club Bus Route magazine mentions a previously unannounced model, OM42703 - Van Hool Alizee in the livery of Eddie Brown Tours. I am advised by the OOC Club that this was a special commission for Eddie Brown Tours and it has since been cancelled. The OOC Club ask that if any members require further clarification they should contact the club directly. If I hear anymore information I will publish details here.

Friday 16 January 2004

Wednesday 14 January 2004

N6103
MCW Metropolitan - Maidstone and District
Fleet number: 5254
Registration number: KKO 254P
Route number: 163
Destination: Borstal
Quantity: 1248

N6206
MCW Metropolitan - Tyne and Wear
Fleet number: 680
Registration number: JVK 680P
Route number: 20
Destination: Wallsend via Shields Road
Quantity: 1008

Previously announced model amended details
Britbus have also advised me of amended details for the following model, the details now read:

N6204
MCW Metropolitan - Whippet
Fleet number: -
Registration number: KJD 268P
Route number: 5
Destination: Huntingdon
Quantity: 1008

Monday 12 January 2004

MCW Metropolitan Maidstone and District

Photograph © Britbus

MCW Metropolitan Tyne and Wear

Photograph © Britbus

CORGI OOC MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE WEEK COMMENCING 12 JANUARY 2004
The following models are scheduled for release next week:
OM41107 Leyland PD3/East Lancs Ramsbottom U D C
OM43103 Leyland Lynx MKI Preston Bus

Saturday 10 January 2004

CORGI OOC DENNIS DART FIRST GROUP
I have received a few mails advising me that First Group are selling an OOC Dennis Dart in Barbie livery on their on-line shop. Their web site gives very few details of the model and it is not possible to identify the fleet etc. I am grateful to Andy Bonar who has now received his model for advising me that the model in question is in fact OOC model 42813 in Aberdeen First Bus livery. This model was a commissioned Code 2 model and was released back in August 1998.

Thursday 8 January 2004

'At the London Toyfair at the end of January, model bus and transport enthusiasts across the world will see the launch of probably the most exciting diecast model bus ever produced. British Model Buses will carry the full story so watch this space'.

I am not able to say more at the moment but will publish further details and photographs as soon as they are available.

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD AND NORTHCORD TRANSPORT - TWO ITEMS OF NEWS
I thought both of these news items may be of interest. 

Firstly for fans of Capital Citybus, the latest Hong Kong Model release HKBUS2001 (the first release in CMN's latest new casting) features an 11-metre, tri-axle Leyland Olympian/ Alexander R-type coach model, in Hong Kong Citybus’ 1991 standard colours. See photograph below. For full details of the model please CLICK HERE to view Graham Whites Oriental Model Buses web site.

Secondly, The photograph below shows the cover of the new Hong Kong Buses Yearbook 2004 which is scheduled for publication on 14 January 2004. I am advised that it will be of interest to bus fans in both HK and the UK.

Tuesday 6 January 2004

Thursday 1 January 2004

January 2004 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013