"Buy British Toys" double decker

[matchbox_n_molars]

Back in 2012 when I visited with Fos Wilson at his house in South Australia I enjoyed seeing a plastic double decker bus he had with "Buy British Toys" on the sides.
Awhile back I noticed what I'm assuming is the same type of bus available on ebay out of the Netherlands. I made an offer that was accepted and it arrived yesterday.
Anyone else have one of these? I don't see any markings. I put the Matchbox #5B in the shot for scale. The plastic one is about 9 inches long.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Yes Greg, I have that Bus and a few others from METTOY and TUDOR ROSE, I research all plastic 'Routemaster' Buses and while yours is not actually based on the 'Routemaster' regards the frontal treatment, the rest of it is and this is likey due to the fact Tudor Rose had the License in the UK to make a 'Routemaster' toy bus'

There are several versions and re-issues of your Bus with some very interesting back story, I might put it on the forum one Day as I am sure other members will be interested as most of like all sorts of toys and models.

Ghosthunter.

[matchbox_n_molars]

Who made this one Ghosty?

[Ewan]

I had one of these - the frontal design put me in mind of a Birmingham Guy Arab. Always wondered who made it

[GHOSTHUNTER]

OK Guys, can't do anything at this very moment, getting ready for the Brentwood toy fair, I'll come back and post something later.

Ghosthunter.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

The original issue of the Bus was from 'CORAL PLASTICS', shown below.

CORAL PLASTICS LTD.jpg (66.97 KiB) Viewed 1496 times

Note the front number plate..."MTY 875", MTY is short for 'METTOY'.

METTOY for M&S.jpg (76.36 KiB) Viewed 1496 times

This version is from Coral-Mettoy but has "MS 719" front number plate, MS is short for Marks & Spencer.

A slightly modified moulding then appears with "BRI 630" front number plate and it has been suggested BRI is short for 'BRIMTOY' but I am not aware of any connection of this toy to Brimtoy.

Companies that are connected to this toy Bus which is made from a softer plastic than the original Coral issue are 'POPLAR PLAYTHINGS', 'POPLAR PLASTICS' and 'SPRINGWELL MOULDINGS'.

POPLAR PLASTIC.jpg (73.09 KiB) Viewed 1496 times

Poplar Plastic version. This is essentially a softer plastic version (with some detail changes), of the Coral-Mettoy moulding which became the the model in Greg's picture at the top of this thread.

In my picture below are Three versions of this softer plastic toy Bus in light or dark Red with MADE IN ENGLAND on the front side panel. This was later blanked out so no country of origin is displayed anywhere on the model.

DSC06799.JPG (79.29 KiB) Viewed 1496 times

"BRI 630" remains on all later issues of the Bus which is a cross between a GUY Arab and an AEC Regent.

The base shows this Bus was originally friction powered but that was removed during one of the re-issues and the model became free rolling.

The Springwell Mouldings version has a sticky label on the base declaring it's origins.

SPRINGWELL MOULDINGS.JPG (82.92 KiB) Viewed 1496 times

Here is the country of origin panel.

MADE IN ENGLAND.JPG (81.15 KiB) Viewed 1496 times

The small Bus in one of the above pictures is actually a hard plastic copy, made by 'MAKS' for 'CLIFFORD' to market in their 'CLIFFORD SERIES', so is part of the Family.

A very rare version is moulded in bright Green and so far this has eluded me so is not currently in my collection!

When Irish Eyes are smiling...!!.jpg (32.37 KiB) Viewed 1496 times

Ghosthunter.

[matchbox_n_molars]

Now THAT is answering a question! Thank you Ghostie for that delicious detail!

[Fred7A]

A basic but nice toy, it is modelled on the Routemaster's predecessor, the AEC Regent RT. The RT has been eclipsed by the Routemaster, but was part of the London scene for almost 40 years and built in much larger numbers. One interesting detail which can be seen in the closeup of the lower deck is the panel for the semaphore trafficator ahead of the front nearside window on the lower deck. On most RTs this panel wasn't used, as only a small number of RTs actually had trafficators fitted, and they were't used for long - they were probably a liability in London traffic! At the end of the 50s flashing indicators were fitted anyway.

This must have been a very successful toy, and in production for many years (is it still being made?). It's also a nice size, about 1/43 scale. I'm surprised I've never added one to my model bus collection!

[motorman]

Great to see you posting again Fred.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Thank's Fred for the additional information, I am not a Bus enthusiast as such, but do find the 'Routemaster' so interesting and try and collect a few toys and models of it.

Regards current production, the tooling was last known to be with Springwell Mouldings during the 1990's and as far as I know they have been moulding the Bus in recent times. One of the models in my picture of Three and One small model, was purchased for £5 as a brand new stock item still in it's clear poly bag and they do turn up at most big toy fairs.

Ghosthunter.