Collector's Model, or C'sM for short, announced, through John Ayrey Die-Casts (a major UK importer of diecast models) the impending release of Hong Kong's famous Leyland Victory Mk 2.

This first model, No V101A, was released in the UK towards the end of June 1999 and carried the blue and cream livery of China Motor Bus, however, it turned out to be a Dennis Jubilant and not a Leyland Victory!  It's release in Hong Kong soon followed. Although the limited edition certificate states 3,000, in fact only 2,000 were produced, half of which were imported into the UK.

The new model featured an open offside cab door, separate light lenses, finely detailed wheels, with poseable front wheels, detailed soft tyres, separate wire handrails, a driver figure, wire-mesh radiator, separate mirrors, a bus stop and passengers.

Collector's Model is the name given by parent company Peak Horse to it's diecast bus range. Peak Horse had previously issued a range of 1/87th scale plastic buses under the series 'Hong Kong Wonders', the same name as used for it's 1/76th scale range of Hong Kong trams.

The first model featured on the cover of Model Collector (September 1999), and a 4-page article under "New Releases Special" gave a review by the Editor and another from Don Craggs.

The vast majority of these models have been generally available upon release in Hong Kong, and later in the UK at prices between £18 - £25, although with the greatly reduced quantities, i.e.only 500 pieces, prices appear to have crept up to nearer the £30 mark.

It appears that the Company has now withdrawn from the 1/76th scale bus market, as no models have been released since the Philippines liveried Dennis Jubilant (V2003) in June/August 2003. Certainly the quality of models had deteriorated from the early days, with the opening engine covers gone, no air-con fans, inferior quality seating, and the once glossy limited edition certificate featuring a photograph, becoming just a plain piece of card.
 

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This page last updated Monday, 19th December 2005

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