Following the significant success in launching the brand new casting of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC model in the liveries of National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Bluestar, Stagecoach West Scotland, Southern Vectis, Stagecoach South, Ensign Bus, Xplore Dundee, Stagecoach North West, and Go North East, Northcord Model Company is now releasing the seventeenth livery on the 10.9 metre long, single-door casting – ukbus 6527 in the livery of Stagecoach North Scotland.

UKBUS6527 represents fleet number 11173 (SK19EKU) that was new to Stagecoach North Scotland in early 2019. 11173 is one of fifteen new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC SmartHybrid double-deckers deployed at Macduff depot for service 35 (Aberdeen-Banff / Elgin) by April 2019. 1173 carries a colourfully branded livery for service 35, heading to Macduff, and onto Aberdeen. Such unique feature of the special, comprehensive livery and branding are 100% reproduced onto the UKBUS6527 models.

The stand-out features of the branding are : big “SERVICE 35” and “GET A BONNIE VIEW / FAE THE TOP DECK” lettering together with an icon illustration on both sides, along with key locations served “35, ABERDEEN, BANFF , ELGIN” on both sides’ upper deck windows. Further branding on each side includes : “TOP UK DEPOT FOR ECO DRIVING MACDUFF 2016 2017 2018 2019”. The wording on the main side, upper panels within the advert frames is phrased with reference to the “Doric”, the famous and iconic dialect associated with the north-east of Scotland.

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC UKBUS6527 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square, gasket-mounted windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the UKBUS6527 model is its single tree protector at the front. The front dome on the model is significant, with curved windscreens on both upper deck and lower deck.

Northcord Model Company is also creating new design standards within the interior of both saloons. These features, inside the compartments, will represent the real, outstanding layout of the Enviro400 MMC, such as the extensive portrayal of handrails on upper deck and lower deck, etc.

The brand new 10.9 metre Enviro400 MMC bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. The UKBUS6527 model is limited to 1008 pieces worldwide.

To our valued retailers and collectors :
Herewith we itemise an update on likely release dates and status for announced models in the ukbus 6200, ukbus 6500, ukbus 6800 and ukbus 9500 range. In addition, two further future releases are announced.

Production delays due to shortage of appropriate labour in all factories in southern China continue to affect many manufacturers and it is appropriate that NMC should advise you accordingly.

The continuing influence of Covid is also continuing to have a negative impact on the timescale of our release schedule because of the inability to have face-to-face meetings at the production facilities which has slowed down the decision-making process in approving the minutiae of our models

Furthermore, deliveries are experiencing delays worldwide. Covid, Importing, and now a war in Europe have each impacted shipping badly.

ukbus 6200 Range (Alexander Dennis Enviro400)
The castings are being fine-tuned in the factory. Some modifications will be applied due to the long silence on the toolings’ use.

ukbus 6500 Range
ukbus 6529 – Stagecoach South (10945 – SN18 KNJ) The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee : models are now available in the UK.
ukbus 6530 – Go North East (6341 – YX20 OKA) xlines : models are now available in the UK.
ukbus 6527 – Stagecoach North Scotland (11173 – SK19 EKU) : models will depart for the UK shortly.
ukbus 6518 – Go South Coast (1560 – HF66 CGE) : production will be concluded by early December 2022.

ukbus 6800 Range
The preparation work for the new casting of the ADL Enviro400 City on Trident 2 and BYD ADL Enviro400EV City is scheduled to be commenced in the second part of 2023. The newly developed comprehensive casting will initially include the following versions of Britain’s best-selling double-decker buses :

Northcord Model Company will make an announcement in detail about planned liveries and model dimensions nearer to its launch date. The range will be expanded with the shorter versions of each type in due course.

ukbus 9500 Range (Scania OmniCity Double-Decker)

ukbus 9501 - Scania OmniCity - National Express West Midlands (Heritage Livery) (4780 – BU08 EHZ) pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by late March 2023.

• Area Meetings, Events - Upcoming MBF area meetings & events.
• Editorial
• Cover Story - A 1:50 scale London RT converted into a tower wagon (see next below)
• Beyond 1:76 by Michael Whent - Michael has been interest in 1:76 scale modelling, but his friend is into larger scales and asked if he could produce some 1:50 scale models for his collection. 12 of those models are covered in this article.
• I Have a Cunning Plan By Dave Jessop - Dave has been experimenting with clear instead of white transfer paper when printing his own destinations displays.
• Leicseter Buses by Roy Wells - Following the article in issue 614 Roy shares photos of his own collection of modified & scratch built models depicting vehicles from the City's fleet between 1911 & 1939.
• Yorkshire Area /SYTM Exhibition, Aldwarke 2022 by John May - A brief review of the event which was held in June.
• Ah! The Wind Rushing through my Hair! by Martin Hare - The conversion of a Corgi OOC Weymann Trolleybus into a Hants & Dorset Open Top Bristol K.
• Motorised RTL by Brian Wates - Brain scratch build s a London RTL in make a motorised model for use on the Faller Roadway system.
• Seeing Double by Ken Jones - Ken has collaborated with Nigel Coward & Malcolm Hall & Roy Finney to produce two N scale 3D printed Western National Bristol SUS models of 675 COD. (see also the Replitek news item posted on October 20th)
• HO Product News - Holland Oto have produced a new model of the recently launched VDL Citea LF-122 low floor single deck bus.
• Over To You - Reader's responses to a number of earlier MBF articles..
• Buses That Never Were! Part 6 by Dave Jessop - Former London Transport vehicles were not unknown in Mirfield, Longstaffs operated two Craven bodied RT's during the 60s & Woods had a DMS in the 80s. Dave has imagined what might have been had Longstaff's snapped up one of the cast-off London AEC Swift SMS vehicles.
• Welcome Aboard - Eleven new members & one returnee.
• Plan of the Month by Dave Evans - This month's 1/76 scale plan is a 1951 Strachan FC33F bodied Crossley DD42/3 coach.
• Area News - This month there are reports & model photographs from the area & virtual online meetings in Greater Manchester, South Wales & Herefordshire, West Midlands, & North Midlands.
• MBF Shop - The MBF Streetscene, Little Bus Company & Paragon range of white metal/resin parts & accessories, plus the MBF Streetscene 2K resin model kits that are exclusively available to MBF members.
• MBF Streetscene White metal Bus & Coach Kits - The former ABS white metal bus kits added to the MBF Streetscene range. These are available exclusively to members at low cost (from £5.00 to £35.00 - see the MBF page for a list of these model kits)
• Product News UK - Latest kits news from ParagonKits & Cymru Bus Kits..