Bus kits

[oversteer]

Does anyone know if anyone produces bus kits?I'm interested in a Eagle,MCI,Prevost kit,hopefully in 1/24 1/25 scale.

If not how difficult is it to scratchbuild such a thing?What kind of tools are needed ect.Thanks!

[Chuck Most]

Revell AG does a 1:24 scale late model European touring bus. Last I knew it was still available. That's the only bus I'm aware of in the common model car scales in plastic kit form.

[JamesW]

What Chuck said. It's pretty pricey though. From what I've seen it's well worth it.

[Chuck Most]

Here's the box top- knew I had a picture of it somewhere!-

Yeah, it is a bit pricey. I've only seen it once- a local guy ordered one at the hobby shop to modify into a model of his motorhome.

[oversteer]

Thanks guys.So I guess there isn't much interest for bus kits?Is it possible to scratch build one?

[oversteer]

I did a google search and came up with a price of $102 for the cityliner.Not bad it looks like its an awsome kit.I'll think about this for the fall as I have some car kits that need to go onto the assembly line first.An Eagle or a Prevost with chrome would look awesome though.

[Foxer]

Dingo did a workbench post of a Cityliner build here that will give you a good idea of what this kit is like.

go here

[Ben]

I did a google search and came up with a price of $102 for the cityliner.Not bad it looks like its an awsome kit.I'll think about this for the fall as I have some car kits that need to go onto the assembly line first.An Eagle or a Prevost with chrome would look awesome though.

There's never been a model kit made of a modern American style bus such as an MCI, Prevost or such. A 1/25 resin Shell of a GM bus as made years ago and shows up on Ebay every once and a while but it's a 60's era unit anda bit crude for todays standards. There's currently a company that was supposed to release a 1/25 Greyhound Senic Cruiser diecast bus in 1/25 scale but I have not heard about it for a while? It may even be available, i'm not sure?

[gray07]

Didnt HESS do one a few years ago, i know they have tankers and stuff but i thought they made a bus to

[Ben]

Didnt HESS do one a few years ago, i know they have tankers and stuff but i thought they made a bus to

Hess made a 1/25 GMC motorhome that is a promo. These can still be found on Ebay.

A forum member here, Tom Ellifrit, super detailed one and made it accurate to the real thing!

[Dave in Seattle]

There was also an old Renault TN6C bus kit in 1/24 scale made by Heller a number of years ago. They show up on that auction place every so often.

[Harry P.]

Thanks guys.So I guess there isn't much interest for bus kits?Is it possible to scratch build one?

You'd need a lot of good reference photos, a huge amount of time and some major modeling talent to pull it off, but it can be done. Anything can be scratchbuilt! Something like this would be a MAJOR undertaking, but no reason in the world that it couldn't be done.

[Junkman]

Thanks guys.So I guess there isn't much interest for bus kits?Is it possible to scratch build one?

I wouldn't say there isn't much interest. I would say the model makers are not responding to the widespread interest. Considering the tooling costs, I can see to it to an extend. It is a crying shame though.

[Aaronw]

Someone posted a scratchbuilt a GMC Fishbowl a couple years back, I don't recall who did it though.

There are some resin buses from the 1940s and 50s available from RMR. More of a school bus though with a truck front end and bus body.

I'd love to see a Crown or GMC Fishbowl kit. I know I'm not the only one, but can understand the reluctance on the kit makers part. There is definately interest in busses, but is their enough to pay for such a large kit.

There are some nice diecast busses in smaller scales like 1/43 and 1/50.

[Tony T]

I work for the city transit company, and would love to do a GMC Fishbowl (we called them "silver-sides"). We retired ours over a year ago. I'd also like to do one of our current fleet of modern buses, which are mostly by New Flyer (60 foot articulated, 40 foot hybrid diesel electric, and Invero), and we've got 3 Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 double deckers in trails.

GMC fishbowl with old paint scheme

Invero

60 foot articulated

New Hybrid

One of the DDs

We've got several other types, but these are the main ones...at least the newer ones are pretty straight, flat panels...would still be a big scratchbuild job!!

Edited May 8, 2010 by Tony T

[Chuck Most]

I did see an entirely scratchbuilt 1:24 scale passenger bus in the other magazine years and years ago- I believe it was a man in Australia. It appeared to be a curbside kit- all the windows were blacked out, but the bodywork was incredible!

I've seen a few 1:25 scale 1940's-era school bus bodies in resin, but I have no idea who produced them. Wouldn't mind one of those myself!

[Bowtienutz]

a CNC engraver or a laser cutter would be just the ticket for this kinda project. anybody want to do the plans.

[Junkman]

a CNC engraver or a laser cutter would be just the ticket for this kinda project. anybody want to do the plans.

If you got the laser, I make the plans.

[DanielG]

There are some 1/24 die-cast models of buses out there. Don't be afraid to tear one apart and make it your own!

[jeffb]

somebody master one, i'll cast it..got a pressure pot just waitin..

[Aaronw]

I did see an entirely scratchbuilt 1:24 scale passenger bus in the other magazine years and years ago- I believe it was a man in Australia. It appeared to be a curbside kit- all the windows were blacked out, but the bodywork was incredible!

I've seen a few 1:25 scale 1940's-era school bus bodies in resin, but I have no idea who produced them. Wouldn't mind one of those myself!

The schoolbuses are probably the ones from RMR, the buses are at the bottom of the page

http://www.freewebs.com/rmrresin/nf125.htm

[chuckyr]

May be the next commercial kit from Mobius can be a Prevost

[highway]

May be the next commercial kit from Mobius can be a Prevost

That's not a bad idea! I can see motorhome conversions, tour buses, the possibilities are endless.

[chuckyr]

That's not a bad idea! I can see motorhome conversions, tour buses, the possibilities are endless.

That's not a bad idea!

I thought so.

[7000in5th]

You'd need a lot of good reference photos, a huge amount of time and some major modeling talent to pull it off, but it can be done. Anything can be scratchbuilt! Something like this would be a MAJOR undertaking, but no reason in the world that it couldn't be done.

Not exactly a bus, but very close, Joel Dirnberger has spent more than 10 years on a scratch-built model of the GM Futurliner, a bus-size display vehicle that GM used in the '40's and '50's for the Parade of Progress tours.

To my knowledge it has never been finished. It is a major undertaking.