Saro Bus Ribble

Saro Bus Ribble

Another classic single deck bus in Oxford’s 1:76 range, a replica of the Saunders-Roe bodied Leyland Tiger Cub, a lightweight underfloor-engined chassis manufactured by Leyland between 1952 and 1970.Most were built as 44-45 seat buses with a smaller number as coaches. Modified from the older Leyland Royal Tiger, the Cub was popular because of its lighter weight, less expensive price and with a revised specification than the Tiger. Its newly designed lightweight high straight frame had a vertical radiator set just behind the front axle and it was powered by a Leyland O350H 91 bhp 5.76 litre diesel engine with a four speed gearbox. The prototypes were bodied by Saunders-Roe of Anglesey (SARO) as 44 seaters. Their second prototype in the livery of Ribble Motor Services was shown at the 1952 Commercial Motor Show and the company bought many Ribble Tiger Cubs over the ensuing years.

The Tiger Cub in the Ribble Motor Services livery appears in their distinctive red colour scheme with grey trim and gold Ribble lettering along the sides. Our model is heading for Coniston in the Lake District as the No. 500, registered FCK 884. The interior floor is moulded in a dark gold with dark red seating. The Leyland Tiger Cub badge is printed above the radiator.