Twenty years ago, if you wanted a bus which was any smaller than the real thing, you went to a toy shop and bought a little something by Matchbox, Dinky or Corgi. This was definitely aimed at children, and was at best a reasonable likeness to (usually) a London Routemaster. It's very different today. Over the past few years, several manufacturers have between them produced a vast range of OO-scale (1:76) die-cast model buses in many company liveries, aimed at older children, like me. Initially, the 'Tracco' was neglected by the manufacturers, because its almost unique bus fleet made it unattractive to the mass producers who prefer standard vehicles which can be reproduced in dozens of different liveries. This has been put right in recent years. Building up a 1:76 scale 'Tracco' fleet is therefore much easier than it was even a few months ago, and most of the types I am old enough to remember (from the mid-late 60s) are now available "off the shelf" at good model stores, by mail order, or from swapmeets or online auctions such as eBay. Other vehicles can be modelled by modifying or repainting existing die-cast models, from kits, or by building from scratch. I have gradually accumulated a large fleet of model buses, a large proportion of which wears a familiar two-tone green livery. With a combination of products straight out of the box, plus some kits, repaints and conversions, this is how you can build up your fleet.
EFE was first to recognise A&D, with a two-model boxed set containing models of the Leyland National and Bristol VRT as repainted by Alder Valley to mark "75 Years of Service" by Aldershot & District. These were sponsored by one of the die-cast magazines, and are occasionally available at swapmeets, and crop up from time to time on eBay. Actually AV Models were several years ahead of EFE with beautifully finished repaints of these vehicles, using EFE's original castings but (for some reason) using the shorter-bodied National. EFE's own release used their later, improved versions of the models, giving extra details and a better result. The next A&D release was OOC's representation of one of the first batch of Willowbrook bodied AEC Reliances which was released late 2002. I have fond memories of these buses, and this is indeed a beautiful model using the improved version of the casting with wing mirrors, silver window openings and windscreen wipers. It is by no means perfect, however, having single headlamps instead of double, and a confusing destination screen for route 12 showing both Reading and Aldershot. Again, Berkshire-based AV Models had previously sold repaints of this casting, and jolly good they were too. I have also done several repaints of my own, in various A&D and Alder Valley guises. A yawning gap in my model fleet was the Dennis Loline III, and, in 2006, Britbus rose to the challenge of offering this model. This was a brave move by Britbus as the casting is suitable for only a very few operators. Nevertheless, the casting has been deployed in five A&D green versions, an Alder Valley NBC poppy red version, and a yellow trainer. Some of these have been sponsored by ADBIG. The detailing on these models is superb, although collecting a whole fleet of them is expensive at over £30 each. Once again, AV Models had produced such a beast based on EFE's Bristol FLF Lodekka casting. With a replacement radiator grille, a two-window sliding door, and full width lower saloon rear window this was a bold attempt at the Dennis, but for me it still very much a Bristol. As well as A&D green this conversion also appeared in AV red, Silver Jubilee 1977, and Reading Corporation liveries. Early in 2007, EFE released its "BET style bus" in Tracco livery. The casting isn't perfect for this bus, as its body style is more Willowbrook than Weymann, but nevertheless, the model captures the prototype very well. The model shows a Bognor destination as service 19A. There are a few of detail errors, mostly relating to the use of the less-than-perfect casting, which detract only slightly from the overall effect. It wears bottom heavy two-tone green livery, but could be repainted if desired to put the dark green on top. Personally I think this casting is better suited to the DHO batch of Reliance coaches, and in repainted into A&D's attractive cream/green coach livery, it's a reasonable likeness provided you close one eye and squint with the other.Oh, and yes, AV Models also produced an A&D version of this casting. (I am not sure if AV Models are still in business, especially now that all their offerings are available in the mass market). With the main vehicles now dealt with, I have to say I am not expecting any further A&D releases from the main manufacturers anytime soon, if ever. Having said that, it would be great if the Reliances, National and VRT appeared in Alder Valley liveries.
Already the mainstay of many BTC fleets, the Bristol RE became available to A&D in the late 60s, just in time to catch the two tone green livery. EFE offers a model of a single door, full length RELL, but a chap called Mike Pannell will build, or sell you parts for, a dual-door conversion (I believe Mike has now retired down under). Shortening the bus to the correct length for A&D would be a nasty business, so be prepared to compromise. AV Models produced a very smart, if not strictly authentic, Orion-bodied double-decker with blinds for service 10. Other half cab models can also be repainted, and certainly look the part to those like me who are too young to remember the real thing. I have done several myself, but there are folks who will do you a more professional job. The OOC Weymann double decker is a reasonable likeness to an A&D East Lancs bodied Dennis Lance K4 once CJT's had a go at it. As well as the two-tone green livery, adverts for local products like Friary Meux beer help place the buses in the right part of the world.
As Alder Valley gradually standardised on VRTs and Nationals, the fleet became much less interesting, but easier to represent in model form, as both types are produced by EFE. Some NBC red and white paint, plus relevant transfers (from, for example http://www.modelmasterdecals.com/) are all that are required to convert these, or indeed Reliances, REs and various coaches. In particular, the Alexander Y-type is authentic in Londonlink livery. The Leyland National and Bristol VR have both been released by EFE in Alder Valley's very attractive post-1986 green/gold scheme. (AV Models beat them to it by several years). A braver man than me might also have a go at repainting OOC's Leyland Lynx, which looked great in this livery (CJTdecals can provide appropriate transfers). Alder Valley also had some Ford R1014s for use in the Bordon area, and this can be represented by the Westward whitemetal kit of the Bristol LH with similar ECW body. Mine, being in A&D livery, is neither authentic nor well built, and is definitely not pride of the fleet, but I like it all the same. If you want advice, or just to compare notes on bus modelling, a good
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