Lurking on the work bench have been two EFE Western National, Bristol LS' which I have been detailing. Both were picked up for less than £10 each secondhand.

Inspired by the Lincolnshire Road Car Bristol LS on Tony Wright's Little Bytham I asked Ian Wilson at Pacific Models to make me up some printed destination screens for this pair. 

I supplied Ian with the dimensions of the screens, destination and route numbers. In this instance services which would have originated from Tavistock, crossing the River Tamar at Gunnislake.

For those who have never used Ian's products they are easy to use and in this instance self adhesive. Link below to the Pacific Models website:

http://www.pacificmodels.co.uk/

The turn around tine was excellent and the destination screen sheet arrived quickly with plenty of spares.

Both models were broken down into their component parts. 

Using a new scalpel blade, the destination screens were carefully cut out using a steel ruler. Being self adhesive they were applied easily over the existing factory finished ones.

Using Halfords Satin varnish light coats were applied to seal the destination screens as well as dull the high gloss finish.

Numberplates were included for suitable prototypes as well.

The window mouldings were dipped into Johnson's Kleer and allowed to dry.

Then the raised window frame detailing was inked in using a silver Sharpie permanent marker. Cleaning up was  carried out with a cocktail stick.

Scale Link produce a sheet of etched brass vehicle door mirrors (Sheet SLF 137). This provides the drivers rear view  mirrors for this brace.

A coat of Halfords grey primer, followed by their satin black gave a good finish. I am not sure if these mirrors should be green? The silver Sharpie helped give a mirror effect.

Using prototype reference shots the mirror fixing points were ascertained and holes drilled for them. The Scale Link mirrors were fixed with contact adhesive. In my eyes this does help to lift the EFE model. 

Essentially the detailing work is finished. I will paint the wheel arches and lightly weather both buses. Driver and conductor figures as well as passengers will be added. 

With a bit of work these older EFE models can certainly be lifted to another level. 

Cheers,

Mark