Doesnt look bad at all.Kind of reminds me of the 58 GMC we had at my HS in Maine.
Actually looks pretty good. I think what's throwing it off is the width of the nose - it's too wide for that style of Chevrolet ....
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Well my Johnny Lighting school bus arrived.
My first impression was that It seems to be on the small side of Hot Wheel sized vehicles. Then I put it on our HO scale layout, and surprisingly it looks really good.
See what you think:
Following are some photos comparing it to a Classic Metal Works bus (which is presumed to be true 1/87 scale):
All in all, I've got to say it looks pretty dang good as an HO scale school bus.
To me the only complaint is that it appears to ride a little high. I plan to paint the interior seats and maybe add a few figures in there, so I'll have to drill out the rivet holding the bus together. Then I might be able to do something about the height. I might even replace the underbody altogether.
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
Yep.I can wait..Theres only one model that I want that as far as I know is unavailable and thats a 57-60 Ford..
If you are willing to wait, Classic Metal Works is bringing out a 1941-47 chevy truck in several configurations...the same cab as the one in the photo.
[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/:550:0] Ma..Ma..Mama says this is my favorite school bus 1941 Chevrolet.
Well give your HO kids a break and let them ride in 1951 style. ( mabe paint her ole yaller first. )
http://www.classicmetalworks.com/video_cmw4/vid-4.html
Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.
Great idea.I know the exact AHM bus you are talking about.I will have to search for some.....
jwhitten Wow, that's pretty cool. Is that HO scale? (It seems bigger than that...?) John
Wow, that's pretty cool. Is that HO scale? (It seems bigger than that...?)
John
Yup - Classic Metal Works nose on a Herpa bus .... both of which are HO scale.
Mark R. charlieB: Yes that International looks sharp.As I recall the older bodies had more of a slope to the rear I used the Herpa body for my D&H bus and grafted on the rear section from one of those cheapie European short buses offered by AHM / AHC that have advertised in MR for years. Not a perfect fit, but nothing a bit of filler wouldn't take care of .... Mark.
charlieB: Yes that International looks sharp.As I recall the older bodies had more of a slope to the rear
Yes that International looks sharp.As I recall the older bodies had more of a slope to the rear
I used the Herpa body for my D&H bus and grafted on the rear section from one of those cheapie European short buses offered by AHM / AHC that have advertised in MR for years. Not a perfect fit, but nothing a bit of filler wouldn't take care of ....
charlieB Yes that International looks sharp.As I recall the older bodies had more of a slope to the rear
Yes it is, you get to cut off the front end and add your own truck front of your own like the D&H kit bash above. It's a starting point.
But isnt that from the 80s?
A quick note, Herpa makes the IH school bus.
I grew up in NYC and the schoolbuses I remember seeing were all Fords,GMCs and then a bit later almost all Internationals.Before they made yellow standard,there was a fleet I remember that was a pea soup green with a pale yellow or beige top.
Actually, the LL bus could be used, but it needs a lot of work. New wheels from Jordan, paint the grill and bumper black, remove all the horizontal window frames and replace with thin strip,file the front window bar thinner. I'm not sure how it went state to state, but school buses in NY in the fifties through early sixties had one flashing light in front and back, right in the center. Add some turn signals and mirrors and it won't be half bad. I think either Concor or IHC made the International bus for the eighties, if you find one, you could cut down a CMW Ford or IH truck for the front, our schools had Macks, some REO's and lots of IH's.
Yeah. I bought a couple 1/64 cars (one fire chief, one cop) off eBay about a month back. Since almost all my cars and trucks for my layout are either Matchbox, Hotwheels, Johnny Lightning, Maisto, and other assorted co, they fit right in. If you ask me, 1/64 (which is S-Scale, or Lionel) scale is a great substitute for 1/87 scale.
B30
Crap happens. When it does, stop, take a deep breath, and call the wreck train.
I was thinking of kitbashing a few schoolbuses myself.The front ends are the easy part.What would be a good starting point for the body?
Santa Fe all the way! I model in the 50's and like alot of others have been looking for a suitable school bus for years.....Anyone out there want to sell a bunch of buses?Make a 1950's school bus and watch the orders come rolling in.
I model in the 50's and like alot of others have been looking for a suitable school bus for years.....Anyone out there want to sell a bunch of buses?Make a 1950's school bus and watch the orders come rolling in.
Agree 100%.
It seems a lot of us model the 1950s. So it is a little surprising no really top notch school bus has been made yet. But classic metal works has been coming out with some really nice bus models over the past few years. Might not be much longer before we see a true 1950s 1/87 school bus.
One problem might be the sheer variety of school buses back then. Most were heavy duty truck fronts matched to a bus body.
A model I would really like to see is a Crown Coach school bus.
These were very popular in Southern California. Here's a Wikipedia page about them:
Crown Coach
Forgot they also made fire trucks. And yes those would also be great. I have the Busch La France fire trucks which are nice. But some Firecoach fire trucks would be great.
I model in the 50's and like alot of others have been looking for a suitable school bus for years. I did pick up the '34 Jordan model until I could find a replacement. The LifeLike bus does look bad and its a shame because it looks like if they had put a little more effort into it, it could have been usable. Maybe it could be fixed. Anyone out there want to sell a bunch of buses?Make a 1950's school bus and watch the orders come rolling in.
jeffrey-wimberly Yep. And it looks like a toy.
Yep. And it looks like a toy.
School days.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Okay.As part of the Life Like/walthers Secenemaster*(*I think)line of accessories,there's one called School Days that features a generic 50's era School Bus along with the students that's undere$10.00.
Hope it helps.
The Aztec Eagle.
More Cowbell!!
Mark R. Whatever happened to good old fashioned kit-bashing ? ....
Whatever happened to good old fashioned kit-bashing ? ....
Why don't you check out my website and see
Done a lot of kit-bashing in multiple scales over the years.
Just thought this pre-built bus had promise. I like the short body and paint job, and was hoping it would work out for HO scale.
I think I rode on this bus in 2005. My other hobby is F&I War re-enactment and we were in Lake George, NY for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lake George and the Bloody Morning Scout. We rode a blue bus to the site where the Bloody Morning Scout took place, which coincidently was also and old D&H railroad bed.
Robert H. Shilling II
Found one at a pretty good price so I ordered it. When it arrives we'll see how it looks.
Actually I'd say it was a little short (height). The school bus I drive is closer to 10' high. Mine happens to be close to 36' long, there are a lot of shorter ones. From Jeff's photo, I'd say go for it.
Good luck,
Richard