Ragtag Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 (edited) These were quite a common minibus around our way in the early 90s, so I thought I'd have a crack at making one. Quite happy with the results so far. I have a need for several however so this will also be a first attempt at home casting. Fingers crossed! Edited May 8, 2021 by Ragtag 4 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 6 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pillar Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 Brilliant stuff. Where did you get the propotype dimensions? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 Great scratch building, looks like you have quite a fleet of buses there. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahame Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 Very impressive scratch-building. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 2 hours ago, Pillar said: Brilliant stuff. Where did you get the propotype dimensions? I didn't, couldn't find them anywhere. I started with the Kingfisher models sherpa and widened the front to the correct width based on the number of slots on the grille. I then shrank a photo to match the size of the nose and drew the plans from there, checking againt references as I went e.g. the 1/76 Sunrise Metrorider. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted February 25, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 25, 2021 The 'breadvan' minibuses were once quite common. Pity no diecast maker seems interested in producing a model. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pillar Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Ragtag said: I didn't, couldn't find them anywhere. I started with the Kingfisher models sherpa and widened the front to the correct width based on the number of slots on the grille. I then shrank a photo to match the size of the nose and drew the plans from there, checking againt references as I went e.g. the 1/76 Sunrise Metrorider. All the more impressive. It looks like a very good representation. It's also encouraging to hear how you judged the width of the Sherpa nose from the number of grille slots; I was planning to do the same to make a wide-bodied mail van. Edited February 25, 2021 by Pillar 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Pillar said: All the more impressive. It looks like a very good representation. It's also encouraging to hear how you judged the width of the Sherpa nose from the number of grille slots; I was planning to do the same to make a wide-bodied mail van. If it helps I added 5mm to the width - cutting the 2nd 'slot' towards the centre from the headlight on each side. I need a few of those too (in the Leyland DAF 400 guise) for my layout - currently torn between scratchbuilding or modifying the HK models version. At around 40 quid a pop though I think scratchbuilding may just win out! Then I need to have a crack at the LDV Pilot and Convoy... Edited February 25, 2021 by Ragtag 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pillar Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 10 minutes ago, PhilJ W said: The 'breadvan' minibuses were once quite common. Pity no diecast maker seems interested in producing a model. An older version of a Transit based minibus was produced by TiNY kits as kit no. TK67B (link here), but seems to be out of production. Until recently a 1980s era Transit based minibus was listed as a forthcoming kit from Saltire models. Unfortunately the business has now closed down as of September last year, so this seems unlikely to happen now. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 18 minutes ago, Pillar said: An older version of a Transit based minibus was produced by TiNY kits as kit no. TK67B (link here), but seems to be out of production. Until recently a 1980s era Transit based minibus was listed as a forthcoming kit from Saltire models. Unfortunately the business has now closed down as of September last year, so this seems unlikely to happen now. Transit minibuses are doable though - the bodies are relatively straightforward to build and the ABS Mk.2 Transit front has recently become available again whilst Mk.1 fronts can be hacked from John Day models or diecasts. I spliced a John Day diesel snout onto one of the Tiny bodies. One of the owners of Saltire mentioned recently they were still looking at the Mk.2 Transit, so who knows? Perhaps once they've released their Ailsa. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 (edited) Deleted - covered earlier in thread Edited February 25, 2021 by 37114 clarity Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesperus Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 Looking ace, I might be biased though as I own this. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted February 26, 2021 Author Share Posted February 26, 2021 Finished off the Rootes body tonight to go with the Dormobile. 2 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pillar Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Looking good! Destined for Northumbria livery I assume? Where did you get the whitemetal roof ventilators by the way? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted February 26, 2021 Author Share Posted February 26, 2021 20 minutes ago, Pillar said: Looking good! Destined for Northumbria livery I assume? Where did you get the whitemetal roof ventilators by the way? They are indeed, possibly with some allover ad versions if the casting goes well. The fletner roof vents are from Mark Hughes, part F24a. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted March 11, 2021 Author Share Posted March 11, 2021 Alas, despite best efforts the two shown above were dimensionally off and consequently scrapped. However, a few tweaks and their replacements are looking the business. 7 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pillar Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 Sorry to hear that. The new one is looking good though. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share Posted March 21, 2021 Coming along now, though still with reg plates, fleet branding, fleet numbers, destinations and a few other little details to do not to mention the glazing. 5 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm81 Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 The seats covers are as I remember, I think there was definitely an angled step at 45 degrees, possibly the second step. They were perfect for our estate, when they were replaced by low floor single deckers they were too long to get round the roads. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 7 hours ago, Norm81 said: The seats covers are as I remember, I think there was definitely an angled step at 45 degrees, possibly the second step. They were perfect for our estate, when they were replaced by low floor single deckers they were too long to get round the roads. That's handy to know, not many pics which show the entry well in much detail with the resolution of contemporary cameras. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 Well, that escalated quickly... 5 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pillar Posted April 16, 2021 Share Posted April 16, 2021 On 10/04/2021 at 22:57, Ragtag said: Well, that escalated quickly... You're telling me! Meanwhile I haven't finished a single one of my buses yet! Brilliant work as always. Is the crimson and cream one destined for OK Travel ownership by any chance? Cheers, Liam 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted April 16, 2021 Author Share Posted April 16, 2021 2 hours ago, Pillar said: You're telling me! Meanwhile I haven't finished a single one of my buses yet! Brilliant work as always. Is the crimson and cream one destined for OK Travel ownership by any chance? Cheers, Liam It is indeed, couldn't resist an attempt at the 20-seat Carlyle bodies. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted April 18, 2021 Author Share Posted April 18, 2021 On 16/04/2021 at 05:42, Pillar said: You're telling me! Meanwhile I haven't finished a single one of my buses yet! Also, having seen the work you're putting into your metrorider I'm not sure it's a fair comparison! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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