Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

The radio controlled KMB Wrightbus, announced on this site earlier this week, was released in Hong Kong today. Produced by Cars Workshop (96002), it's measurements are, in centimetres, 4W x 7H x 19L. This makes it larger than 1/76th scale and similar in size to previous radio controlled buses. It retails for HK$188. Further photographs will be added to the Toys section later today.

 Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Hong Kong Model Co.

A new, unannounced resin model from Hong Kong Model Co. features Kowloon Motor Bus Ford Thames Trader AD4821 (8131A). It is on Route No 9 and retails for HK$268.

The March 2006 issue of "KMB Today" makes mention of a remote controlled Wrightbus model, which is due for release at the end of this month. Priced at $188 each, this remote controlled bus model features headlights, indicators, reversing horns, as well as engine sounds!

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Universal Transport Fans Association

Citybus launched it's CityFlyer A10 route today and I am grateful to both the Universal Transport Fans Association and Dennis Law for supplying photographs of the event so quickly. A new page has been added to the Xtra section where further photographs can be found.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of EH6775

Following yesterday's news of the new Citybus CityFlyer route, the A10, and information on the modified MAN NL262, I am grateful to EH6775 for allowing me to use his photographs of sister vehicle 1562. Further details and photographs have just been added to the Xtra section of the site.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Xian Silver Bus

Following previous details of the Checkmate models Volvo B10M in Xi'an Silver Bus livery, I am grateful to Xi'an Silver Bus for allowing me to use several of their photographs of the real thing. These have been added to a new Xtra page. Please note that some of the photographs on this page are of a larger file size than normally used on the site, and as a result may take a while longer to load, but I am sure you will agree, they are worth the wait.

Citybus has introduced a new CityFlyer route, the A10, which will operate between Ap Lei Chi and the Airport. In the official press release on it's website, MAN NL262 No. 1566 has not only received the CityFlyer livery, but has lost it's centre doors and has had luggage racks added. 

I have also added some new photographs for the second version of the BACo bodied KMB Daimler Fleetline (39902) and the specially commissioned trolleybus for the Ba-Shi Group (cnbus1007). 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Jotus.com

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Jotus.com

Pictured above are the 'Year of the Dog' decorated models from both New World First Bus (top) and Citybus (bottom) which are  produced by Model Bus Evolution (MBE). The models go on sale in Hong Kong tomorrow (17th March).

The NWFB model represents Dennis Dragon fleet no. DA93 on route no. 18 to North Point whilst the Citybus version represents fleet no. 838 on route no. 102 to Aldrich Bay. Both are limited to 688 pieces, with the NWFB model having the product code 20018 and the Citybus model CM061.

I am grateful to MW from Hong Kong for providing the following translation to the item featured on the Citybus website yesterday. 

The Release of Citybus and NWFB 'Wealth Attracting' Bus Model

For the coming of Year of Dog, Citybus and NWFB specially designed the 'Year of the Dog' bus previously to celebrate the CNY.  Now, two companies produced this prototype into 1:76 scale bus model respectively, they are: Citybus 'Wealth Attracting, Year of the Dog' and NWFB 'Wealth Attracting, Year of the Dog'.

The production is limited to the qty of 688 for each of them. The price is HKD288.00 per pcs.

Citybus and NWFB Customer Service Center and hobby stores will start to sell on 17 March 2006.

The bus model is made as a Duple Dennis Dragon Air-con bus, sharp yellow is the main colour of the body, painted with a pretty fortune dog and handmade scissor-work and fireworks art, to bring out the joy of the festival.  Fortune slogan is also shown as a banner on the body.

I have tonight added some new, higher resolution photographs of the Pocari Sweat Volvo Super Olympian (DW10305).

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Jotus.com

Released in Hong Kong today were several resin models, namely:

P & T Model China Motor Bus Volvo Ailsa with Alexander bodywork (B0015) featuring Fleet No. AL2 (Reg. No. CT1003) on Route No. 112 to So Uk. It is limited to 400 pieces and retails for HK$376.
 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Jotus.com

Hong Kong Model Co. KMB Dennis Pax (8111A) featuring  Reg. No. HK4092 on Route No.: 18 (Un Long - Sheung Sui). It carries no limited edition certificate and retails for HK$306.

Hong Kong Model Co. CMB Guy Arab MK IV with original 1955 bodywork (8031A). Registration No. HK4208 on Route No. 3 (H.K. University). This again is an unlimited quantity and retails for HK$288.

Hong Kong Model Co. rebodied CMB Guy Arab Mk IV, Registration No. HK4196 (8038A). This model is on Route No. 7 to Aberdeen. Also unlimited in quantity, this too retails for HK$288.

There have several recent instances of my photographs being used to aid the sale of items on auction sites. Please note that it is my policy not to allow the use of any of my photographs in such instances and immediate action will always be taken against any infringement on my copyright. I am grateful to those visitors who have made me aware of some of these recent infringements.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dave Rogers

Pictured above are the first production models of the standard liveried Citybus Creative Master Northcord Leyland Olympian (hkbus0001), specially commissioned by Dave Rogers. For further information on this model, visit Dave's website, which gives details of former Citybus Olympians Nos 102 and 105, now owned by Dave. 

My thanks to Alan Moore for providing photographs of a selection of Checkmate models, and new pages have been added for these models, namely 90049, 90062, 90134, China-built Jinling 3-axle double-deck buses and 90050 and 90074, single-deck Flxible city buses. I would welcome any further details on any of these models or the real buses and hope to add further pages shortly.

With a relatively quiet week for news, I have been able to finally transfer the site to a new computer which I purchased at Christmas. I was amazed just how the site has grown over the years, so if you come across any missing links or pages, please let me know. With a screen viewing size of 1280 x 1024, the layout of the site has changed somewhat!

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Bus Fan World

As previously announced on this site, Bus Fan World is shortly to issue a Britbus Leyland Olympian (R900BFW). In Hong Kong, the model will be available only to club members, whilst a limited number will be available in the UK.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Carl Bentley

The above photographs have just been received from Carl Bentley, who has an amusing and story behind the photo:-

"I took my Best Choose DMS to work today to show someone. He was having a look at it and remarked, " I like how the back engine cover comes off ". I looked across and saw him removing the bustle. After my heart attack at seeing it come apart, I realised that indeed the bustle is removable and here are the pics to show it." 

I presume this feature, which I was not previously aware of, applies to both 05241 and 05242, and maybe even the Gilbow Holdings London Transport DMS, but please bear in mind that I will not be held responsible for any damage caused in trying to remove the bustle if this is not common to all models!! Further photographs have been added to the following page 05241

Photograph of an early mock-up model
Courtesy and copyright of Dennis Chan

Pictured above is a mock up model of a Dennis Pax - this being produced by 312 Model. It is still in it's early stages and some details are still to be modified and added. No firm release date is yet known but it it will certainly be later this year.

I am advised that this project was planned well before Hong Kong Model's announcement of their example and it is no way an "intentional challenge" to that model, but simply a coincidence. A new page has been added to the Resin section of the site for this model, which includes further photographs, courtesy of Dennis Chan.