The version modelled in this kit has the Mark 1 Eastern Coach Works body, of which about 800 were built before being superseded by the Mark 2 body in July 1956. The Mark 1 body is characterized by flat valances over the driver's cab and near side canopy, double curve to the driver's off-side windows and a curved lower deck ceiling. These buses were produced in both open and closed platform bus versions, together with a number of coach versions.

The kit is supplied with both the long radiator cowl used until mid 1955 and the later short radiator cowl. The open platform kit has the 27 seat lower deck with longitudinal seats for three over the rear wheel arches. The closed platform kit will follow and will feature the 25 seat lower deck with longitudinal seats for two and a luggage rack over the top of the wheel arch. Modellers, who have bought more than one kit of both types, can therefore interchange the lower deck between the two kits to suit their taste. (Sorry but for production reasons Little Bus Company cannot exchange the chassis provided with the kits)

Notes on Open Platform Lodekkas.

Pre Production - 6 buses - 1953 - 25 seat lower deck.

These had a flatter long radiator cowl with coarse slatted grille, different driver's cab window arrangement, a single window rear platform wall and a slimmer rear platform. A bit of "kit bashing" is required here.

Early production - buses built until about June 1954 - 25 seat lower deck.

Early production Lodekkas had the long radiator grille and driver's cab windows as supplied with the kit, but had the single window rear platform wall and slimmer rear platform. I have deduced the changeover date as the end of June 1954 from Crosville records, but this may not be correct for other operators. Slightly less "kit bashing".

Later production - 25 seat lower deck - England until mid 1955 and all Bristol and MGO Groups.

Body and rear platform as the kit but with 25 seat lower deck. Radiator type varied. Use the closed platform chassis.

Scottish buses and England from mid 1955 (except Bristol and MGO Groups) - 27 seat lower deck.

Kit as supplied - radiator type varied.

Radiators - in the above lists, buses are indicated as having long or short radiators, as built. Where "both" is shown, I believe that the batch was built with a mix of long and short radiators. The short radiator was introduced, seemingly at random, on buses built under Bristol Sanction 108 from July through to December 1955. Modellers are earnestly requested to check photographic evidence of the bus, which they wish to model, as the style of radiator cowl changed over time. The short cowl supplied with the kit has "whiskers" either side of the water filler.

Front Mudguards - the kit has the front mudguards extending almost to the depth of the radiator cowl. For cooling reasons, these were shortened early in the career of the LD Lodekkas, from about 1956 onwards. Check with photos.

Trafficators - LD Lodekkas were not built with trafficators. These were added later and the position varied according to operator. Check with photos.

Destination Screen - the kit has been made with beading either side of the "T" and other narrow screens. This needs removing if you want a full Tilling screen and on some Scottish buses further surgery is required. Check with photos.

The kit comprises

• 1. Resin Body shell
• 2. Resin chassis and seating unit
• 3. Resin upper deck seating unit
• 4. Choice of resin front grille (2)
• 5. Metal base plate
• 6. Steering wheel & column
• 7. Platform pole
• 8. Profile wheel set includes 6 wheels 2 axles
• 9. Printed glazing