Bus by Bono is a relative new comer to the world of model buses, it's first releases were a pair of Dennis Dragon/Condor Alexander R tri-axle double deck models. These Hong Kong related models were supplemented by a second new tooling of a air conditioned Northern Counties Paladin bus during 2017. Bus By Bono's first UK themed model was released towards the end on May 2017 and depicts the UK version of the Paladin without the roof mounted air conditioning unit.

The 1/76 scale model has a retail price of £56.99 which includes delivery in the UK. Construction of the model is almost entirely ABS plastic and this particular release is limited to 250 pieces.

As already mentioned, ABS plastic has been used for the construction of this model and is made up of three main elements, the body shell, the interior detailing & a baseplate. Indeed the only metal parts are the mirror brackets, axles and two small cross head screws. The result is a very light weight model compared to a similar sized die-cast product. ABS does however allow much finer detailing and this is particularly noticeable on the front corner window pillars, these are much more to scale than would otherwise be possible on a die-cast model.

The model captures the looks of the real vehicle extremely well, the livery application looks very convincing and the pink area's transition into the white colour has been superbly done. A semi-gloss paint finish has been used which looks more authentic than the full gloss usually applied to models in this scale.

Exterior detailing includes clear plastic headlights and orange tinted front, side & rear direction indicators. Red tinted tail and brake lamps are present on the rear.
Also modelled on the off-side is a fuel filler cap, the rear engine grilles and the emergency exit door. There also a printed on water filler cap. On the nearside there's an access flap on the lower skirt panel.

The destination displays are all glazed with the displays recessed into the body. On the sample model reviewed the front destination masking on the edge of the glazing slightly obscured the first letter of the Ipswich destination. Other than that the displays are sharp & glazing doesn't produce any unwanted distortions.

All the windows appear to be individual components which have been inserted into the main body. The frames are outlined with black paint to represent the black rubber retaining gasket.
Some windows have vents or black courtesy masking on the lower edges. Each of the side passenger windows has a tiny centrally positioned non-smoking sign. Again like the destinations all the window glazing is extremely good.

Text decals are been added for the filler caps & emergency exit. A “Countrybus Paladin” badge is present below the windscreen while the first name and “f“ logo can be found on the front & sides. The fleet number 40256 is prominent displayed and www.firstgroup.com has been applied across the rear window.

The driving mirrors and support arms look just right and are to scale. They are finished in bright yellow paint and have a silvered finish to represent the actual mirrored area.

Etched windscreen wipers are present and although small have a very high level of detailing. In fact I'd say they're the best I've seen on any 1/76 scale bus model to date.

The various air cooling grilles are reproduced using a punched insert which has been precisely applied and give a good representation of the mesh used or the real vehicle.

The flat base of the model doesn't have any detailing of the uderside components at all, there's just the model unique QR code.

The wheels rims are silver plastic and mounted on metal spindles, they have a good level of detailing including the small retaining nuts and central hubs. Soft plastic tires are fitted and have trend detailing.
A minor point I noticed with the tires was that they seem a little on the lose side and while photographing the model they had a tendency to move about on the rims.

Moving on to the interior detailing this is pretty good given the models price.

The driver cab area is finished in light grey and includes the internal partitions behind the black drivers seat and the side access/anti-assault panel . There's a blue ticket machine & black steering wheel, but there doesn't appear to be any detailing of the dials or controls on the dashboard. A green handrail is modelled leading up from the entrance door to drivers cab. Green grab rails are also represented on the inside of the door, although these are only a printed decals.

Moving on to the passenger seating area, again green grab rails are reproduced throughout and some of these also have the small bell push bottoms modelled on them.

The seats have silver painted frames and the seat cushion motif has been reproduced using transfers which have been neatly applied & give a very pleasing overall effect. The floor and seat backs are finished in matt black while the interior side & roof panels are left white.

Although the model base is just held in place with two small cross head screws, the interior seating component is secured into the main bodyshell with several spots of glue. So it's worth bearing this in mind if your planning to add some passengers & a driver for a diorama display.

Overall the model captures the essence of the real vehicle, there's a good level of detailing both externally & internally, the internal detailing isn't quite as high as that found on the much more expensive Jotus models however.
There's no detailing on the base, but to be honest this really isn't something your ever really going to notice in most normal display situations.

The review model which was kindly by Bus By Bono for this review and came well packaged in a custom made foam block & card box. It survived the journey from Hong Kong to the UK without any damage to the model, display case or card sleeve.

The model isn't supplied with a traditional card certificate, instead each model has a unique QR code printed on the model plinth and the base of the model. This includes the model number and total quantity produced in the centre.

Scanning the QR code with a smart phone will take you to a unique page for each of the models produced.

Here's the link to the page for the review model 004 http://busbybono.com/qr/v/5/4

The models are only available direct from Bus By Bono in Hong Kong or the sole UK distributor TTC Diecast. The model price is the same either way after taking the postage into account. Do bear in mind that UK import duties & VAT may be applied to goods sent from Hong Kong by UK Customs & Excise. The review model dodged them however.

Here's a further selection of photographs of the model