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CM-DGR111 - Dennis Dragon/Duple Metsec
Kowloon Motor Bus
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The Collector's Model Nikon liveried Dragon will be available from 6th July 2001 onwards, as a gift to camera buyers who buy a Nikon F65D camera together with their AF 28-80mm f3.3-5.6G lens.

This model features Ms. Joey Yung. Joey is one of the most popular pop idols amongst the bus fan circle in Hong Kong. In fact, she has also noticed that lots of her fans are also bus enthusiasts! A photo featuring Joey holding two Nikon bus models in two different packages can be seen below. Also shown is the Limited Certificate.

A small quantity of this model is to be made available to members of the Collector's Model Club.
  
 Manufacturer of model  Collector's Model
 Scale  1:76
 Prototype chassis  Dennis Dragon
 Prototype bodywork  Duple Metsec
 Prototype length  11 metre
 Fleet number  AD272
 Registration number  GR 8180
 Route number  6A
 Destination  Star Ferry
 Quantity (total)  4,000
 
Hong Kong
UK
 Quantities (if known)
?
?
 Date released
Jul 2001
Sep 2001
   
Model Review
by Dennis Law

Since its official introduction in Hong Kong in late June 2001, CsM's Nikon Dragon model has drawn lots of attention from not only the bus fan circle, but also the general public. This is mainly because Nikon has decided to present this model as a gift to their camera buyers, which in turn has drawn up its market price in HK to the level of HK$650 for a few months. An unknown number of stock has flowed into the market starting from mid-August though, causing the market price for this model to fall until it has reached the level of HK$250 in late December 2001.

Despite the facts mentioned above, this model would probably be a disappointment for those collectors who would focus on the "reality" of the models. Owing to some unknown reasons, CsM has used the mould for CMB's Dennis Condors (with rounded window surroundings) to make this KMB Dragon, and yet 2+2 seatings can be seen in the model when in fact KMB's AD272(GR8180) should have 3+2 seatings instead! The upper deck tail-lights at the rear have also gone missing. With the additional Nikon logo and "Air-Cond" wordings at the front of the model, which the real bus don't have, such factors would not probably sound impressive for those model buyers who would eager to buy a model which really looks like a KMB Dragon.

The painting for the F65 ad livery looks okay though. And in my personal point of view, the portrait of Ms. Joey Yung being applied on the model looks superb. Indeed, this is one of the reasons why this model can still become so popular in HK - probably due to Joey's idol effect amongst the youngsters.

Dennis Law - 28th December 2001

 
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Photograph courtesy Orangebus

 
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Photograph courtesy of Mr Leslie Chan

 
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Photograph of KMB's AD272
courtesy of Dennis Law
   

 
 
This page last updated Monday, 25th February 2002
 
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