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FLIGHTLINE

  
 
    
 

Having already offered internet users the chance to invest in his vast range of photographs, Ken Guest asked for my help in downsizing his extensive 4mm scale model bus collection. My response was to use what had started out in its naked, beige MDF incarnation as The Fastest Diorama in the West and modify it as a sales display arena.

  
 
    
  Having already offered internet users the chance to invest in his vast range of photographs, Ken Guest asked for my help in downsizing his extensive 4mm scale model bus collection. My response was to use what had started out in its naked, beige MDF incarnation as The Fastest Diorama in the West and modify it as a sales display arena.  
 
    
 

Bristol RELH RDV 423 H - 1472 in the Royal Blue division of National Bus Company markings - passes preserved Hawker Hunter F6 G-PSST at Kemble Airport. The destination blind reads Cirencester.

  
 
    
  Bristol RELH RDV 423 H - 1472 in the Royal Blue division of National Bus Company markings - passes preserved Hawker Hunter F6 G-PSST "Miss Demeanour" at Kemble Airport. The destination blind - as captured by Ken Guest - reads 132 Cirencester.  
 
    
  Although too shallow to realistically accommodate even a low relief bus garage or bus station, part of this original diorama design was relatively great height in relation to depth to deter unauthorised interference - or theft in the context of a shop window display. Inspired by a number of photographs that Ken had taken of classic road vehicles on show at air displays, I added my usual Dulux First Dawn for the sky and Wilkinson's Feather Grey for the concrete apron, a solid roof with fastenings to support a model aircraft and a thin section of 18mm MDF to make the previous "road" level with what had been the railway. The Fastest Diorama in The West thus evolved into Flightline!  
 
    
  YOU WAIT AGES FOR A MODEL BUS AND EIGHT COME ALONG ALL AT ONCE!  
 
    
  Buses from Flightline will be at the Cheltenham GWR Modellers Exhibition at St Margaret's Hall, Coniston Road on 24 and 25 October 2009.

The models - all in mint condition and boxed - shown below will be priced at £10.00 each while stocks last. Many belong to limited editions that are no longer commercially available.

  
 
    
 

AEC Regent V Orion registered as MCY 408 and DAW2 of the West Yorkshire company (EFE 19707) is heading for Oatlands with a Number 9 service.

  


   
  AEC Regent V Orion registered as MCY 408 and DAW2 of the West Yorkshire company (EFE 19707) is heading for Oatlands with a Number 9 service.  
 

    
 

Blue and cream Notts and Derby liveried Bristol Lodekka FLF DNU 685 C (EFE 13908DL - number 711 out of 2000 made ) is destined for Ilkeston on the B2 service.

 
 
    
  Blue and cream Notts and Derby liveried Bristol Lodekka FLF DNU 685 C (EFE 13908DL - number 711 out of 2000 made ) is destined for Ilkeston on the B2 service.  
 
    
  Bristol Lodekka FLF SFM 258F ( EFE 13911 ) bears Crosville green livery and fleet number DFG 258 forming the H2 service to Warrington.  
 
    
  Bristol Lodekka FLF SFM 258F ( EFE 13911 ) bears Crosville green livery and fleet number DFG 258 forming the H2 service to Warrington.  
 
    
  Lodekka FLF DFB 112 ( EFE 14003 ) is in the cream version of Crosville livery forming the X4 service to Caernarvon.  
 
    
  Lodekka FLF DFB 112 ( EFE 14003 ) is in the cream version of Crosville livery forming the X4 service to Caernarvon.

The Bristol Lodekka, introduced in 1949, was a revolutionary design to overcome the problem of getting double-decker buses under bridges where the headroom was lower than 14' 6" .  previous attempts had focussed on the bus body with, typically, a sunken gangway running the length of the upper deck on the offside and passengers sitting four abreast on bench type seats to the nearside.  But conductors found it difficult to collect fares, getting out wasn't easy if you were near the window and the sunken gangway protruded into the lower saloon, where more than one passenger saw stars when they got up too fast and struck the ceiling.

The Lodekka had its driveshaft, from gearbox to differential, running under the offside of the bus instead of down the middle, giving it a lowered body while affording sufficient passenger headroom, a traditional seating arrangement and a step-free access from the platform to the lower saloon. 

Like the 1939 vintage K type double-deckers supplied by Bristol Commercial Vehicles to Southern Vectis, the Lodekkas were remarkably durable and some early models had an open rear platform while later examples had forward entrances and semi-automatic gearboxes.  Further details can be found at www.bcv.robsly.com and www.iowbusmuseum.org.uk

  
 
    
"Don't interrupt! My 4mm scale die cast model bus collection is being overtaken by those of Tamsin Outhwaite, Steve Davis and Jodie Marsh. I want you to go out and find me an example of Exclusive First Editions 26402. It's a Daimler Utility, number D149 in the Green Line fleet, registered as HGC 276 and forming the 721 service to Brentwood via Ilford and Romford. Oh, and make sure it has "London Transport Executive 55 Broadway SW1" in gold lettering just behind the front nearside wheel."

"Yasmina!"
"Yes, Sir Alan?"
"Don't interrupt!  My 4mm scale die cast model bus collection is being overtaken by those of Tamsin Outhwaite, Steve Davis and Jodie Marsh.  I want you to go out and find me an example of Exclusive First Editions 26402.  It's a Daimler Utility, number D149 in the Green Line fleet, registered as HGC 276 and forming the 721 service to Brentwood via Ilford and Romford.  Oh, and make sure it has "London Transport Executive 55 Broadway SW1" in gold lettering just behind the front nearside wheel."

Crosville fleet number STL 915 - BET LDB 774 ( EFE 24312 ) - is on route H44 to Northwich


Crosville fleet number STL 915 - Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1/2 registered as LDB 774 ( EFE 24312 ) - is on route H44 to Northwich.  Completed in 1958 with Willowbrook C41F bodywork, this PSV was originally owned by the North Western Car Company before the formation of the National Bus Company of the early 1970s.

  Ex London Transport RTL KGU 216 ( EFE 11110 ) now in the yellow of Stevensons as fleet number 29 and is travelling to Uttoxeter via Tutbury.  
 
    
  Ex London Transport RTL KGU 216 ( EFE 11110 ) now in the yellow of Stevensons as fleet number 29 and is travelling to Uttoxeter via Tutbury.  
 
    
  NOT ONLY BUSES BUT PRINTS TOO..  
 
    
  As a special introductory offer, a range of card mounted 7" x 5" Ken Guest prints will also be available alongside the buses for just £ 3.00 each or £ 5.00 for two. Subjects range from Handley Page Victor K1 of 57 Squadron seen at RAF Gan in 1968 ( pictured above ) to Bristol K buses. Come and have a look!  
 
    
  As a special introductory offer, a range of card mounted 7" x 5" Ken Guest prints will also be available alongside the buses for just £ 3.00 each or £ 5.00 for two. Subjects range from Handley Page Victor K1 of 57 Squadron seen at RAF Gan in 1968 ( pictured above ) to Bristol K buses. Come and have a look!  
 
    
  THE VAMPIRES BITE BACK  
 
    
  Ken has attended many more air displays than I have recently and one current feature that caught my imagination was not only the number of ex military jets now being owned and flown privately but the range of liveries they carry. Some stay faithful to the markings of their original air forces while others - like Kemble based Hawker Hunter G-PSST - sport almost psychedelic paintwork. With this in mind I have delved deep into the Jet Age Reserve Model Collection and pulled out a De Havilland Vampire originally painted in UDI era Rhodesian markings for a "Jets for export" themed display. Now though I can say that it is in private hands and preparing to mark the 30th anniversary of the transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe in 2010.  
 
    
  Ken has attended many more air displays than I have recently and one current feature that caught my imagination was not only the number of ex military jets now being owned and flown privately but the range of liveries they carry. Some stay faithful to the markings of their original air forces while others - like Kemble based Hawker Hunter G-PSST seen above- sport almost psychedelic paintwork. With this in mind I have delved deep into the Jet Age Reserve Model Collection and pulled out a De Havilland Vampire originally painted in UDI era Rhodesian markings for a "Jets for export" themed display. Now though I can say that it is in private hands and preparing to mark the 30th anniversary of the transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe in 2010.

Originally known as the Spider Crab, the famous De Havilland Vampire followed the equally notable Gloster Meteor to become the second British jet aircraft to enter service. The first De Havilland Vampires joined 247 Squadron early in 1946 and took part in the Victory Fly Past on 8 June 1946. With 45 and 72 Squadrons receiving Vampires in September 1946, the three units came together to form the first Vampire wing and were based at Odiham in Hampshire.

In July 1948 six Vampires of 54 Squadron made history by completing the first Transatlantic flight by jet aircraft of the Royal Air Force. After preparation at RAF Kemble they crossed to the United States, refuelling at Iceland, Greenland and Labrador on the way.

The success of the Vampire was phenomenal and more of these aircraft were exported than any other British type. The De Havilland Vampire was also built under licence in several Commonwealth and European countries.

Capable of many roles, including day fighter, ground attack fighter/bomber, night fighter and advanced trainer, the Vampire was still in service with many air forces - such as that of the unilaterally independent Rhodesia - as late as the 1970s.