Several of these utility-bodied Bedford OWBs were operated by the British Forces in Malta. Most - in not all - saw further use, re-bodied as route buses or lorries. It is unlikely that any retained their original utility bodies, although a few Maltese did have a passing resemblance - one example being B'Kara route bus Bedford 3225. I've used the same registration on this fictional image of an ex-RAF Bedford OWB with Mulliner body built to the original Duple utility style. It would not have lasted long in this role without additional opening windows (09-Mar-17).
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Tags: Malta bus B'Kara route Bedford OWB Mulliner
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This was one of my first attempts to recreate an actual Malta bus, in this case using a later colour picture of the same subject. It took considerably longer than my current output, which I hope is also of a much higher standard. I've learned a lot about techniques on the way and also where to draw the line between effort and results. The image shows Aquilina-bodied Reo 3080 in ‘original’ Birkirkara livery. Whilst not totally accurate, the aim was simply to capture the colourful look of Kingsgate terminus in the late 1960s. Zeebug bus 2920 (in colours very similar to the current yellow route bus livery) and uncheduled bus 3441 can be glimpsed in the left of the picture. A ‘representative’ Sliema bus is on the right. The Reo later became Y-0664 and then FBY 664, surviving until replaced by a BMC Falcon in 2003. Kingsgate, also known as Porta Reale, remains in use as the current Valletta terminus for routes serving all parts of the island. Until 1977, some services used the former Castille terminus, a situation which provided less than ideal connections between routes.
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Tags: Malta bus B'Kara route Reo Aquilina
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This is the second of three images produced for a photo feature titled 'Between the Storms'. It shows AEC Q-Type 1860 in original, unrebuilt condition. It was one of two ex-London Transport AEC Q-Types (Q96 and Q103) imported by William MC Alpine Ltd for contract work in 1955. The Q-type was an innovative side-engined design dating from 1933. Q103 entered service on the B'Kara route and ran until 1968, after which it lay derelict in the Msida Valley for a number of years. This image was unfortunately based on a very poor photograph of a similar vehicle. I now have much better views of a preserved example but they don't have the atmosphere of the picture. The background is a mirror image of the Casha-bodied Bedford image - the Bedford had to be digitally 'painted out' before adjusting the perspective slightly and dropping the AEC into place. (25-Jun-11).
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Tags: Malta bus B'Kara route BRCW AEC 4Q4 1860
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Unlike the two previous Maltese models in the Original Omnibus range (which were smaller scale copies of models that had previously appeared in the Corgi Classics range), the AEC 4Q4 was based on a real-life prototype and Corgi made some effort to get it right. The 4Q4 (commonly known as the Q-type) was an innovative side-engined bus dating from 1933. Two former London Transport examples (Q96 and Q103) were exported to Malta in 1955 for contract work with William McAlpine Ltd. Q103 subsequently entered service as B'Kara route bus 1860 with a Bedford grille, probably added for decorative effect assuming the radiator remained in its original side position. It ran until 1968, after which it lay derelict in the Msida Valley for several years before being broken-up. The OOC model featured an open passenger door, which I was unable to replicate here (21-Dec-23).
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Tags: Corgi Toys Original Omnibus Company AEC 4Q4 BRCW Malta bus B'Kara Route
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Very few complete ex-UK buses entered service on Malta before the mass imports of the early 1980s. There were a few Mulliner-style Bedford OBs, but perhaps the best known British types were B'Kara buses 1823 and 1860, portrayed by this digital recreation of the Birkirkara terminus. 1823 (later DBY 401) is believed to have been a Leyland TS4 despite its AEC radiator; whilst 1860 was a genuine AEC Q-type, which later received a Bedford SB radiator. This was a very interesting image to produce from parts taken from various UK buses. The picture used for the main body panels and wheels appears to have been taken after a heavy shower, hence my decision to attempt to replicate these conditions. It's really more of a digital painting than an accurate rendition but I rather like the overall effect. Incidentally the awkward angle of the AEC radiator is an accurate representation of how it actually appeared (07-Apr-05).
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Tags: Malta bus Leyland TS4 AEC Q-Type B'Kara Route Birkirkara terminus DBY 401
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