I built this Bus about 5 years ago and did a build log on a Forum in Britain. I am going to post photos that I took whilst I was building this Bus and a few words explaining each stage.
Cheers Andy
Cheers Andy
I started with the building the lower passenger deck.
Once the seats and lower deck floor were completed, I fitted the lower deck side panels.
I fitted the clear plastic windows to the lower deck frames using C.A. gel and then moved onto the lower deck ceiling/upper deck floor. The first step was to fit planks to the ceiling side, the roof was then soaked in water, tied round a Thermos Flask and left so it kept a curve shape. Internal frames were then fitted, the 4 cast metal lights and then it was glued to the lower deck frames.
The floor of the top deck was painted brown and then the floor planks were fitted.
The red box that fits to the side of the main body was made, I think it's were the driver and conductor keep there sandwiches, and glued in place. The route number panel was then fitted to the rear of the lower deck frame.
The red box that fits to the side of the main body was made, I think it's were the driver and conductor keep there sandwiches, and glued in place. The route number panel was then fitted to the rear of the lower deck frame.
Instead of continuing with the upper deck I decided to make a start on the chassis. The 2 chassis rails had to have brass pins glued with C.A. gel, once dry they had to cut flush with the rear of both rails. I then dry fitted the chassis rails to the underneath of the main body so that I could get the rails cross members square.
The driver's cab and engine covers were fitted to the chassis rails
The driver's cab and engine covers were fitted to the chassis rails
Thanks Jos.
I fitted the lower Deck to the Chassis and then fitted the under Chassis parts. These are mostly cast metal and were glued in place using Gorilla glue.
I fitted the lower Deck to the Chassis and then fitted the under Chassis parts. These are mostly cast metal and were glued in place using Gorilla glue.
The Engine covers were also made of cast metal and they needed some adjustment with a file to get them all to fit together.
Once I had finished the Chassis I fitted the front, back and sides of the upper deck.
Once I had finished the Chassis I fitted the front, back and sides of the upper deck.
Andy I really like this just don’t throw me under the bus. 
You will be ok with this bus it's only a foot long, it might damage your toe if you dropped on your foot though. If it's like the buses around here there will none for ages and then 4 will come along at once,Andy I really like this just don’t throw me under the bus.
Cheers Andy
The next stage proved to be the hardest part of this build, the Staircase up to the upper Deck. The first stage was to make the lower Platform and then construct the stairs. I thought it would be easier to build the whole thing seperate from the main body of the bus so I dry fitted the Platform and Stairs to make sure they fitted, then glued everything.
Once the Stairs were fitted I then painted them. The 2 side pieces were pre-shaped metal and not very flexable. Try as I might I could not get them to fit so in the end I decided to use the metal from a fizzy drink's can. I made a template from card and then cut out the pieces using a pair of Scissors. I gradually trimmed the side pieces until I was happy with the fit and then used C.A. gel starting at the bottom and worked my way up.
It was only when I came to paint the Stair sides that I realised I had made a massive mistake in my choice of drinks can. I used a can that was blue I should have used a Coca-Cola can that is red.
Cheers Andy
Once the Stairs were fitted I then painted them. The 2 side pieces were pre-shaped metal and not very flexable. Try as I might I could not get them to fit so in the end I decided to use the metal from a fizzy drink's can. I made a template from card and then cut out the pieces using a pair of Scissors. I gradually trimmed the side pieces until I was happy with the fit and then used C.A. gel starting at the bottom and worked my way up.
It was only when I came to paint the Stair sides that I realised I had made a massive mistake in my choice of drinks can. I used a can that was blue I should have used a Coca-Cola can that is red.
Cheers Andy
Now the Stairs are in place I could get up to the upper Deck and fit the seats.
The Hand Rails for the seat backs were made from brass wire, these needed straightening because the wire was coiled up.
I then made the small box that fitted on the lower Platform
Cheers Andy
The Hand Rails for the seat backs were made from brass wire, these needed straightening because the wire was coiled up.
I then made the small box that fitted on the lower Platform
Cheers Andy
The Hand Rails for the Stairs were made from brass wire and had to be shaped using the plans. I quickly realised that the plans were wrong so I ended up shaping the Rails a bit at a time.
Cheers Andy
Cheers Andy
It sure sounds like no one at the company tried to build this kit after they designed it. To much stuff that is wrong. These kits are not cheap and should have everything you need to do a good job.
You are doing a great job overcoming the problems and will end up with an interesting display item.
You are doing a great job overcoming the problems and will end up with an interesting display item.
Thanks Gary.
I think this is a problem with model kits at the moment. The first version of this kit was probably built and photographed by a professional model maker and the instructions were then written. Laser cut parts seem to be cut to size and expect the model to be build 100% accurate, any slight difference and the part won't fit with out any adjustments. It would be better if some of these parts were cut slightly oversized and then they could be easily trimmed down once they are fitted. For me I enjoy working out how to over come these types of problems, all part of the fun of building models,
Cheers Andy
Now that I had got the Stairs fitted there is a step that goes below the rear Platform. It is made from 5 parts.
Underneath the Chassis between the front and rear Wheels are 5 rails. These are fitted to 4 brackets and each rail is a different length.
Cheers Andy
Underneath the Chassis between the front and rear Wheels are 5 rails. These are fitted to 4 brackets and each rail is a different length.
Cheers Andy
The front and read Mudguards are cast metal and are bent to shape using a plywood former that is supplied.
The Steps to the Driver's cab, the Gear and Brake levers and the Horn were added next
The Steps to the Driver's cab, the Gear and Brake levers and the Horn were added next
The Starting Lever, Wing Mirror, Head Lights and front Bumper Rail were made and fitted.
All that was left to do was to fit the Rails to the upper Deck and the Advertising decals.
Cheers Andy
All that was left to do was to fit the Rails to the upper Deck and the Advertising decals.
Cheers Andy
This was a great kit to build, there were a few problems, some of my own making, but I am really pleased with the finished bus.
