Britbus
We inspect the first castings from a whole new range of British bus models.

An exciting new series of 1/76th scale British outline buses has been launched under the brand name Britbus. The range, manufactured in China, is an off-shoot of Asianbus of Hong Kong and is to be distributed in the UK by John Ayrey Die-cast.
First castings to reach our shores are a Scania/MCW Metropolitan and a Guy Arab IV with Park Royal body.

The MCW Metropolitan was originally produced in a London Transport livery for Model Bus Federation members only. A second was produced for the LT Museum as a special. Currently available is a Scania Metropolitan in Leicester City Transport livery; collectors can opt for either Fleet No. 282 (Britbus No. N6201) or Fleet No. 153 (No. N6201X). A one-door version of the Scania Metro will also be introduced in Manchester colours as No. 6101. Black Prince and Tyne & Wear models are to follow.

The Britbus Guy Arab IV appears as Southdown’s Fleet No. 547 (No. N6001) and also as an AA Motor Services Ltd bus owned by Dodds of Troon (No. N6002).
Britbus can be given credit for some fine tooling and excellent paintwork. Wheels are poseable, still a novel feature for 1/76th scale and there’s a nice degree of chassis detail.
However, some of the detailing borders on obsessive and the metal sliding window panels (marked on both vehicles) draw the eye more than they probably should.
The Metro Scania features superb lights, carefully cast side grilles and a neat interior with separate floor and seat castings; there is even a stab at a dash for the driver.
Moving on to the Guy, the rake of the front top deck is very well captured; it’s only from the side that you appreciate how sloped that Park Royal body actually is! The interior sports realistically curved seats and picked out handrails, and the driver even has a big speedo in front of him. Unfortunately, the Indian head mascot has been cast somewhat over scale and the handle to change the blinds is also a bit prominent.

Overall though, these models, priced at £32.99 each (with the exception of N6201X at £34.99), will make great additions to our collections. For details of local stockists visit www.ayrey.co.uk

The pre-production version of the Britbus Guy Arab IV with Park Royal bodywork.	The distinctive low curbside screen on the Metro Scania, seen here in Leicester City Transport livery, is well captured. And the neat side grilles are a nice touch.