New tooling in the Oxford Commercials series adds a new double decker
the 1:76 scale Leyland Titan PD2/12, which we are delighted to launch in
the popular Maidstone & District Motor Services Ltd livery.
The forward control Leyland Titan PD2 featured a front mounted engine
designed to carry double-decker bus bodywork. Their production dated
from 1927-1942 and resumed after World War II from 1945-1969. Because
of their size, the PD2s were originally classed as the non London 26
footer version, considered unsuitable for use in the capital.
However, in 1950 some revisions to the construction and use regulations
meant that the 8 foot wide vehicles no longer required special
permission to operate in central London and the maximum length for
double deckers was increased to 27 feet. As a result, Leyland raised a
new set of variant codes for the Titans, namely from PD2/10 to PD2/13,
these having a wheelbase of 16' 5. The standard Leyland body was also
revised. Within this range of new codes was the PD2/12 which was 8'
wide with vacuum brakes. The chassis and bodywork were both by Leyland.
Our model, in the Green and Cream colour scheme of Maidstone &
District with silver grey masked roof and registered NKT 875, is
travelling on route 119 to Tunbridge Wells via Uckfield, Maresfield and
Crowborough. The nearside advertising panel is promoting Fremlin's
Elephant Beers, while the offside is suggesting you Relax by Bus Car
free and Carefree. The eyebrows on either side of the front destination
board are advertising Duncans Prams Tunbridge Wells on the offside
front and further promoting them as England's Largest Baby Store on the
nearside, both slogans printed in yellow lettering out of black. The
radiator grille is masked green with the Leyland marque in silver above.
The wheel inserts and mudguards are also the same dark green. The bus
interior is moulded green with black platform floor. Added detail sees
the window openers and the rear bumpers finished in silver finish.