[Bassman]

You are probably saying that Sunstar have already done a good job of covering this. You would be wrong...

At least Revell got the model into the shops before Christmas, as promised.

For a start, the Revell kit is the RML rather than the normal RM. Second, it is a quarter of the price of the diecast, though there is a fair amount of work to be done to make the model. The kit costs £39.99 though you may be able to get it cheaper online.

What do you get? There are two Routemasters depicted in the kit. The first is RML2273 CUV273C on Route 76 to Victoria with no adverts and RML2757 SMK757F on Route 38 to Piccadily Circus with adverts. You get the upholstery pattern in the form of decals, so no clever painting required there.

There are also options in the build. You can build the bus as it left the factory, or include the 1992 update (indicators?). A more intereting option is for the engine. You have the original Leyland unit and also a completely separate Scania engine for the 1996 update. Either of which may prove useful to the scratchbuilders out there who are looking for a suitable engine for a model.

Also for the scratchbuilder I think it would be possible to produce a 27' 6" version as there is a small section added to the roof in front of the rear dome, which could be left off, though the rest of the bus would require a fair amount of cutting on straight pieces. At least from that point of view the body is multi-piece with inside and outside walls, though the floor, chassis etc would involve a fair amount of work.