Photograph courtesy and copyright of Jacky Ho

Resin models are certainly dominating the news at the moment, with another new model being released today by the Hong Kong Model Co.. This model features a China Motor Bus Guy Arab Mk V recovery vehicle, item no 8005A. AH4134 was originally a double-deck bus, numbered M41 and after being withdrawn from service in 1983, it was rebuilt to a single decker service lorry with full seating inside and a door on each side. It retails for HK$248. Further photos will appear tomorrow.

KMB has announced that the company will preserve AL1 after its scheduled retirement on 20th August. It is expected that refurbishments will be made before AL1 becomes one of the exhibits for KMB's Bus Captain of the Year carnival, scheduled in early 2006.

A new page has tonight be added to the site for the resin Long Dragon from Hong Kong Model Co. (8009A).

Photograph courtesy and copyright of 
Universal Transport Fans Association

My thanks to Dennis Law and Universal Transport Fans Association for sending and allowing me to use their excellent photographs which were taken during KMB's press event for AL1 today. Further photos have been added to the Xtra pages of the site.

The New World First Bus 'The Energetic Bus of Rooster' (20016) was released in Hong Kong today. A new page has just been added which includes plenty of photos.

Following yesterdays report that the resin Long Dragon from Hong Kong Model Co. (8009A) had appeared in two different guises, another regular visitor has reported a third, this time featuring AH4077 on route 8 to Chai Wan (San Ha St)!

Photograph courtesy of Jotus.com

Due to be released in Hong Kong tomorrow (Monday) is the New World First Bus Alexander bodied Dennis Trident entitled 'The Energetic Bus of Rooster' (20016). Produced by Jotus.com, it features fleet No. 1128 on route no. 2A to Yiu Tung Estate. It is limited to just 1,288 models and retails for HK$288.  Further details and photos will appear tomorrow.

Following Friday's news of the recent release of the resin Long Dragon from Hong Kong Model Co. (8009A), two regular contributors have advised that their models feature different vehicles than that mentioned. One represents AC4788 on route no. 8 to Wan Chai Ferry whilst the second represents AH4066, also on route no. 8, but to Chai Wan (San Ha St).

"You are cordially invited to send representatives to cover the following activity:

Activity:  KMB at Vanguard of Environmental Solutions
               Retirement of World's First Air-conditioned Double Deck Bus
Date:  Monday, 27 June 2005
Time:  11:00 a.m.
Venue:  KMB Yuet Lun Street Depot No.1, Yuet Lun Street, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon
KMB representative:  Mr. Shum Yuet Hung, KMB's Principal Engineer, Bus Engineering

The world's first air-conditioned double deck bus, developed by KMB, will retire from KMB's bus fleet in August after 17 years' service. The development of this historic bus introduced a new era for double-deckers of using just one engine to control both the driveline and the air-conditioning system. The fuel savings thus achieved, as well as the environment-friendly design, were truly epoch-making."

New pages have been added for the two public light buses from Best Choose, namely 05021 and 05022. I am also grateful to Philip for providing an interesting history for these minibuses.

Photograph courtesy of Jotus.com

The above resin Guy Arab My V, or Long Dragon as they were known, has recently been released by the Hong Kong Model Co. (8009A). It features AC 4786 on route number 8A to North Point. I am presently unable to confirm quantities, but it is retailing at HK$267 (£19 approx.).

Photograph courtesy of Jotus.com

Following close on the heels of the two diecast Toyota Coaster public light buses recently released from Best Choose are two resin public light buses from P & T, this manufacturer electing to feature the Mitsubishi Rosa. The green example (B0010) is registered JS7393, and is en route to Broadca St. Drive. The red example (B0011), carries the same registration number, but is en route to Tsuen Wan. Both are limited to just 200 pieces and retail for HK$327 (£23 approx.).

My lengthy search for a copy of Mike Davis's book 'Hong Kong Buses - Volume One - China Motor Bus - 1933 to 1993' is finally over, with e-bay coming to my aid! 

A new page has been added to the Xtra section of the site. 

Further to the News item on 4th May, full details of the transport arrangements for Disneyland Hong Kong can be found here. My thanks, as always, to Dennis Law for advising me of this information.

Photographs copyright and courtesy of Philip Chan

Now released in Hong Kong are the two public light buses from Best Choose. Both are limited to 2,500 pieces and the red liveried model is numbered 05021 whilst the green is numbered 05022. My thanks to Philip Chan for providing this news and the photographs.

Owing to heavy work commitments I am unable to upload new pages for these models together with additional photos, but this will be done as work returns to normal.

Having received a copy of the latest book, 'Evolution of Hong Kong Buses - Hong Kong Island and Ferry', from 80m Bus Model Shop over the weekend, I have now had chance to add a new page to the site in which I have included a review. 

Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released its first livery on the Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King double-decker coach replica, JB4001, in Hato Bus colours. 

The Aero King is an exclusive double-decker bus / coach developed by Mitsubishi Motors Company, later Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, and available in the Japanese market. The Aero King bus features an aerodynamic body shape, front independent suspension, 12-metre 3-axle chassis design and it created history in the Japanese double-deck bus / coach making industry. 

The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including 4 windscreen wipers, hand rails on the upper and lower decks, an opening engine door and engine detail. This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. The model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together.

Hato Bus is one of the biggest tour bus operators in Japan. “Hato” is a Japanese name meaning “Phoenix”. Hato Bus operates around 70 regular sightseeing routes mainly in the Tokyo area with about 140 single-decker / double-decker coaches. Hato Bus acquired its first Japanese-made double-decker coach, Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King (MU612TA), in 1996.

JB4001 has an outstanding feature. There are two figures on board. They are the bus captain and the tour guide with unique Hato Bus uniforms. Both figures are well presented with detailed painting. They will create extra interest for collectors.

The Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King coach is the fourth 1/76 scale diecast bus or coach replica for the Japanese market from Creative Master Northcord since 2000. It is also the first double-decker, following the Mitsubishi FUSO MP Non-step Bus, Hino Selega Coach and Mitsubishi Fuso Aerobus Coach.

The JB4001 model is limited to 500 pieces for the UK and Hong Kong. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

Having received a sample of this model today, I hope to provide further photos later tonight.....      these have now been added.

Creative Master Northcord Limited has just released a brand new non-ukbus series replica, JB1010 Mitsubishi MP Non-Step Citybus model. The model has been released to coincide with a major event on 4th June at which the models will first be available for sale.

JB1010 carries Nankai Bus colours. Nankai Bus operates 600 route buses around the Nankai Electric Railway area in Southern Osaka with its subsidiary company, Nankai Wing Bus. This is the replica of a Mitsubishi FUSO MP37JM, acquired in 2003 and is allocated in Senpoku Depot.

The model features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door and engine detail. It has a new door to the engine compartment. The rear number plate has been relocated on the rear bumper.

JB1010 is based on a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible respectively. The model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together. 

This model will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.