ECW DAIMLER FLEETLINE
MIDLAND SCOTTISH MRF114 (TGM 228J)

This began life as an EFE Bristol VR (and yes, I should have used a series 2 instead of a 3, but I had spare 3s!). The MH Models parts for this popular conversion are readily available from ModelBuses and the like. The front panel was reasonable but I chose to file off some of the detail and remake it. The side of the body underneath the driver also requires filling out to fit flush with the front panel. The rear bulkhead which is offered as part of the conversion is in fact a moulding from EFE's Fleetline/Atlantean casting which is the wrong shape although it does allow the easy fitting of a proper EFE bustle - I had spares from my Glasgow Atlanteans. To reshape the bulkhead I used plastic card and in fact the window frame from the VR back end - with its glazing. All superglued together and smoothed off with filler, it looks about the right shape. The bustle itself also needed a bonnet handle and new rear lights - too many people ignore such details (perhaps because of the limited photographic resource of bus back-ends). I also used fine nylon thread to reinstate or create some panel lines to match the casting. I altered the side indicators and added a PAYE sign to the side which is not a decal but made from plastic card. The wipers were made from stretched plastic sprue - a technique I have not since used!

One of these Fleetlines, TGM 214J (new to Central SMT) is restored in Eastern Scottish colours at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum. It too has been fitted with the wrong rear lights - a very obvious and noticable (and common) oversight!