AIR573 - Airfix 1/32 1914 Old Bill Bus - WWHP113784

AIR573 - Airfix 1/32 1914 Old Bill Bus - Optional Conversion to 1910 B Type Bus - WWHP113784

Preowned, Resealed, Some parts off sprue, Box worn

The London General Omnibus Company’s B-type of 1910 was one of the world’s first mass-produced motor buses, and it quickly took over from horse buses on London’s streets. When the First World War broke out, about 1,000 B-types were requisitioned and sent to France. Their windows were boarded over, they were painted khaki, and they carried troops to and from the front, where soldiers chalked their regiments’ names on the sides. They became known as “Ole Bill” buses after Bruce Bairnsfather’s famous cartoon soldier. B43, the original “Ole Bill,” survives at the Imperial War Museum. This classic Airfix 1/32 kit builds either the wartime troop bus or the peacetime London B-type.

• Light grey plastic parts in the bag, some off the sprue
• Clear parts
• Sprue of dark green British infantry figures, some off sprue 
• Printed khaki board panels with regimental graffiti, plus deck end, cab end and entrance panels and badges
• Printed London General sheet for the 1910 civilian version, with route 14 Putney Common boards and period adverts for Dewar’s Whisky, Oakey’s Knife Polish, Heinz 57, Dunlop Tyres and Iron Jelloids
• Waterslide decals for the 1910 B-type conversion, including “General” fleet titles and a passengers sign
• Illustrated bilingual instructions with history