The Japan Home Centre liveried Citybus Dragon from Model Bus Evolution (MB-105) is expected to be released in Hong Kong around 8th -10th December. Further information and new photographs of the model have just been uploaded. 

"I have received, from EFE, my model of the Andy Lau Neoplan and have been informed by EFE that the KMB Dragon should be sent out towards the end of this week" - Brian.

Thanks Brian!

Photograph of the single model 

Photograph of the twin pack 

To commemorate and coincide with the launch of SBS’ new livery, CMNL has created a 12 metre, Alexander-bodied Volvo Olympian.

These models are available as a twin-pack that includes 1 x old livery + 1 x new livery and is certificated to 4,500 or a single-pack of the model in the new livery only. The twin-pack models in the old and new liveries are the based on the same bus, but the single-pack bus carries a different registration and destination.
 

The launch of the new livery took place at 11am local time (3am UK time) today. The models’ packaging contains references to the launch of the new livery, but now carries the wrong date, as it was originally planned for 1st November.

Rod kindly advises that he has today received the "Andy Lau" Centroliner  (DW10103) from EFE, having ordered both models.

Could I ask those of you who have ordered, through EFE's subscriber offers, either the Andy Lau Centroliner or KMB "air-con" Dragon, to advise me when these models are received - Thank you.

Photograph courtesy of
80M Bus Model Shop

BSI have just published a new book entitled "The Development of Kowloon Bus Routes in the 20th century".  Further details will follow shortly, however it comes in either hard back (HK$198) or paper back (HK$168).
 

Photograph courtesy of
80M Bus Model Shop

80M Bus Model Shop  now have their 2002 calendar available. Customers with an 80M VIP card can get one free and those who purchase over HK$50 also get one free. 

Photograph courtesy of Dennis Law

It is believed that KMB are to release a model of their Berkhof bodied MAN, as shown above, which is expected during December.

I am carrying out maintenance on the Dennis Dominator pages of this site, and there may be occasions over the next 48 hours when these pages are unavailable - I am sorry if this causes any inconvenience.

Pre-production model

Just received from Buses Model Co. is this pre-production model of Leyland Olympian LM7 in China Motor Bus "Hotline Service" livery (LO20101-680.) Unfortunately, my lack of a decent camera means sitting the model on the scanner!!

For a pre-production sample, the paintwork finish is excellent, and the model captures this "in house" advertising livery well. The interior, like the previous two Olympians, is finely detailed. All details are correct, no mispelt destination or incorrect registration number! 

The model is limited to 1,500 pieces, and is now expected to be released during either December 2001 or January 2002, and further details of release dates will be published when known.

I am very grateful to Buses Model Co. for providing this sample model for review, and feel sure that this model will prove as popular as the previous two Olympians.

The Collector's Model "Member's only" plated Dragon models, released in April 2000, are now being advertised by 80M Bus Model Shop for less than they were originally offered to "Members"!! 

Tomorrow sees the publication of "DMS ColourScene 1979 - 1984", a new book by N. J. Eadon-Clarke
and published by DTS Publishing. This is the first of a new series of books illustrating the controversial London DMS-class and its derivatives from the time of the first withdrawals in 1979 to the end of 1984. This volume is illustrated by nearly 300 colour illustrations taken by the author showing these ex-London buses in many colours and varied locations from busy inner-city to distinctly rural .

It is to be followed, in February 2002 by: DMS ColourScene HONG KONG  - Watch this space for further details.

 Photographs courtesy of Winston Lau

Interestingly, the same destination was spelt as "Shau Ki Wan" on the real LF136, as shown in the photograph below, taken after the 1998 NWFB takeover. 
 

 Photograph courtesy of 
Winston Lau

The official name should be Shau Kei Wan, although sometimes the syllables of the three Chinese characters are spelt as one single word "Shaukeiwan".

I am grateful to Winston for providing this information, and as a result, have tonight checked the CMB destination blind that just happened to come my way, and confirm this too reads "Shau Ki Wan".

Model Bus Evolution's  "United Airlines" Citybus Dragon (MB-104) was released in Hong Kong yesterday, and new photographs of this model have just been uploaded.

Photographs courtesy of Donald MacRae

The next release from Collector's Model is this Dennis Dragon (DA-2001) carrying all-over adverts for Michelin tyres. Let's hope that the quality control on this model has improved!

 Photograph courtesy of 80M Bus Model Shop