The model
- details of this model first appeared on the Concorde
Hobby Shop website on 18th October 2009. It was released four days
later. It is the first 1/76 scale release from Best Choose since August
2006. VA51 has already been modelled, with the same route number and destination
as this model, by Best Choose, but in 1/120th scale (06202).
The bus
- VA51 was one of the last batch of 14 Volvo Olympians to be delivered
new to China Motor Bus in early 1998. The actual bus, with the same route
number and destination as this model, is pictured in Mike Davis's excellent
book 'Hong
Kong Buses - China Motor Bus - 65 Years'. With China Motor Bus losing
its franchise to New World First Bus, in September 1998 VA51 passed to
the new company. In July 2009, work commenced to convert it and sister
vehicles VA52 - VA55 to open top. All five vehicles re-appeared in October
2009, carrying a striking purple livery, to mark the launch of the New
World First Bus 'Rickshaw
Sightseeing Bus', aimed to compete with the Big Bus Company's sightseeing
tours. |