| The model -
This 'Long Dragon' was one of two (see also 8009A)
released by the Hong Kong Model Co. in June 2005. This example is typical
of the prototype in 1965, soon after it had entered service. My thanks
to Mike Sproat for confirming
The bus
- China Motor Bus took delivery of 40 long wheelbase Guy Arab Mk Vs between
1965 and 1967. These were used for the rapidly growing Chai Wan area, where
double deckers were, at the time, unsuitable. These single-deckers, known
as 'Long Dragons' were the first standee type bus, seating just 29 with
50 standees. They mainly operated routes 8 and 8A between North Point and
Chai Wan.
By 1969, the anticipated structural problems
began to come to the surface and the buses were strengthened by using thicker
pillars at the front bulkhead and immediately behind the centre doors.
The second release (8009A) represents a vehicle
in this condition.
AC4788 entered service in 14th April 1966
and in 1972 received a new double-deck Metal Sections body, becoming LX266.
The above information has been extracted
from Mike Davis's excellent book - 'Hong
Kong Buses - China Motor Bus',
in which a photograph of AC4788 can be found.
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