Something slightly different this month and another kit bash/scratch build ive been working on.

 

This build involves using the peco modelscene Leyland Olympian bus kit to make a long bodied Lothian Regional Transport example which at the time i am modelling were one of the most common and new buses on Edinburgh and Leiths roads.

 

The Base kit i use as a donor is the Blackpool transport example but any in the range should do the job.

 

Equipment:

Craft knife

Mini Files

Nail File

Plastic Weld

Poly cement

paint brush

 

1mm Plastikard

2mm plastrust rod

1mm slaters strip plastic

thinest plastikard available

0,5mm clear plastikard

 

Step 1 (Extending the floors)

1.1 First thing to do for this double door bus is to remove the first 2 seats from behind the passenger side front wheel to create space for the second door opening, Cut and file flat these seats so a flat floor is created. this will create small holes in the floor,

1.2 Next select a point on the floor where a straight cut can be made between seats and split the chassis into front and rear pieces,

1.3 Cut a piece of 1mm plasticard 30mm by 51mm.

1.4 Mark on the cut section an area 12mm long responding to where the gap will be by marrying up the underside of the frames.

1.5 Cut a set of spare seats from another kit or a piece of 1mm plastikard 12mm x 30mm to fill the gap.

1.6 Glue the chassis parts and insert to the 51mm piece with the long piece under the floor. Checking the overall side length is 132mm

1.7 Repeat for the upper deck. (Split infront of stairs for later example)

 

In the case of a 1985/86 example the stairs stay in the position as per the kit these steps only apply to the later examples (87-89)

1,81 Cut and remove the first seat from behind the stairs.

1.82 Shape platicard to match the stairs profile but 12mm further towards the rear of the bus

1.83 Cut a in the from of the Stairs moulding 5mm up from the floor and 12mm in from the front.

 

1.9 Add inertia detail as required (Drivers partition and top deck stairs wall as well as covering the holes in the floor with thin plasticard. Paint the floors and walls Grey and the seats in Humbrol 20 from Lothian Livery.

 

Step 2 (Front end Prep)

2.1 Fill the front destination recess with a piece of platsikard and securely glue inplace

2.2 File the plasticard to match the front end profile.

2.3 Apply White areas of paint work to front end around window areas.

2.4 Fit front Glazing Provided with the kit.

 

Step 3 (assembly part 1)

3.1 Fit the completed from from step 2 and the rear moulding (painted white areas and glazing fitted as per the front) from the kit to the extended lower deck floor. 

3.2 Fit the axles and wheels as supplied with the kit.

 

Step 4 (Side assembly)

4.1 Cut a piece of 2mm square section plastrut 132mm long to act as the top brace.

4.2 Cut from sheet of 1mm plastrut the side profile with openings for downstairs windows and wheel arches. Using dimensions for the kit sides.

4.2a Make doors from thin plastic. 1mm larger than the door opening and create openings as per your chosen door type. I use a 2mm drill to make the 4 window type as seen in the video then mount these on clear pastic and glue to the inside of the 1mm side sheet before fitting to the bus.

4.3 Glue the side piece and roof brace in place ensuring they mate fully front and rear.

4.4 from thin plastikard mark and cut out the side profile including all window supports, fuel and grill holes and draw on position of beading and indentations.

4.5 Fit glazing over the inside of the windows using .5mm clear plastic (the kit box plastic does this job well enough) making the diemensions of the the clear plastic match the holes in the 1mm plastic side.

4.6 attach side to the 1mm mock up and roof support.

4.7 fit upper deck floor between ends and 1 side.

4.8 repeat 4.1-.6 for the other side.

 

Step 5 (Roof)

5.1 cut 2 pieces of 1mm plastikard 30mm by 136mm and glue firmly together.

5.2 bond to the top of the bus securely.

5.3 File the roof edges and top to profile using the kit roof as a guide.

 

Step 6 (Side details)

6.1 use think slaters plastic rods (1mm flat) glued to the sides to represent beading using the kit sides for reference.

6.2 score in engine cover and emergency door recesses into sides using a craft knife being careful not the push right through.

6,3 fit a 2mm beading piece along the bottom of both doors to represent the step,

 

Step 7 

Prime and paint as per chosen livery and add transfers (Sunrise provide a great range of bus transfers especially for the lothian example)