After six open platform pre-production buses built in 1953, production of the Bristol Lodekka LD commenced in 1954 and continued until the end of 1959 (mid 1961 in Scotland) when it was replaced by the flat floor F series Lodekka.

The version modelled in this kit has the Mark 1 Eastern Coach Works body, of which about 800 were built before being superseded by the Mark 2 body in July 1956.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 closed platform kit has the 25 seat lower deck with longitudinal seats for two behind the rear wheel arches and a luggage rack over the top of the wheel arch. The open platform kit features the 27 seat lower deck with longitudinal seats for three. 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).

Details of Lodekkas with Mark 1 closed platform bodies are provided below (Courtesy of the PSV Circle and other records). Modellers are earnestly requested to obtain photographs of the bus(es), which they wish to model and for the appropriate time period, as there were detail changes.

From mid 1955 (except Bristol and MGO Groups) - 27 seat lower deck

Use the open platform chassis- radiator type varied

Crosville - many of the buses in the 740 to 843 series were built without platform doors - they had the wide window back, complete with emergency doors, but did not have the curved sheeting at the corner. They were all later converted to normal closed platform standard.

Crosville CO - 811 to 818 were built as convertible open toppers for use on the North Wales Coast. Apart from the top, they had different lower deck beading, with more bright work. A bit of work to be done here.

The Coaches - omitted from the list above are the Central SMT., Crosville and Thames Valley coaches or DP versions. They had a different seating arrangement and, on the Crosville coaches, a substantially revised body. These can be "Kitbashed", but modellers are earnestly requested to check with photographs. . Fleet details are shown below.

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. The Southern Vectis MDLs had this in their later life on the 42 Needles service, which is why I put them there, but they probably need shaving off for most early Lodekkas. Add fog lamps if you wish, but the Island did not use them.

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. Check with photos.

Finally - I now live a long way from the nearest Lodekka and it is over three years since I last rode on one on the 42. Most of you will know more about them than I do, so if you feel inclined to embellish or correct these notes, please let the other Tony at Little Bus Company know.

Tony Swift - Sydney - January 2004