Leyland National Single Decker Bus, Vari-kit, OO gauge.

Leyland National Single Decker Bus, Vari-kit, OO gauge.

This variable kit allows you to construct a Leyland National Mk1 bus in OO gauge, the parts come in a production grey colour so painting is required (paints not included). Although you can paint the vehicle in any colour you wish, it is intended to be painted in the green livery of the National Bus Company as decals are included with the NBC logo representing a choice of relevant bus companies including Southern Vectis, Bristol, East Midland and Crosville. To complement your choice of bus company, appropriate registration plates and destination blinds are also included to make your Leyland National as prototypical as possible.

Registration plates included:

• EMB 645S
• AKY 611T
• VAE 507T
• XDL 503L

Destination blinds included:

• c30 Warrington
• x2 Nottingham
• 83 Cheltenham Road
• 12 Newport (Isle of Wight)

The Leyland National bus was built in Workington, Cumbria, between 1972 and 1985, this project being a collaboration between British Leyland and the National Bus Company. It was a successful venture, with thousands built, and also exported to many countries around the world, including Australia, the Netherlands, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and the largest export shipment, 450 buses to Venezuela! Very few remain in service in the UK, but over 100 are preserved. Another interesting fact, and a railway one, is that the bus body design, and components, were adapted to be used in the British Rail Class 141, 142 and 155 diesel multiple units. Kit contains pre-coloured parts and transfers; requires glue and detail painting to complete.