MiniArt is working on its third release on vehicles based on the B-Type bus.

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Thanks!

Nice. I'd like to see a comparison build between this and the ICM version posted above.

First point on the list of differences:
Totally different trucks built by two totally separate companies on different sides of an ocean.


FWD Type B:
"The FWD Model B was an American built four-wheel drive truck produced by the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company that saw widespread service with American and British forces during the First World War. "
More here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FWD_Model_B



Type B Lorry (rear wheel drive only, based on the chassis of a London double-decker bus):
"The LGOC B-type is a model of double-decker bus that was introduced in London in 1910. It was both built and operated by the London General Omnibus Company (LGOC)."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGOC_B-type

"The London General Omnibus Company (LGOC) was founded in 1855 to amalgamate and regulate the horse-drawn omnibus services then operating in London. The company began producing motor omnibuses for its own use in 1909 with the X-type designed by its chief motor engineer, Frank Searle, at works in Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow. The X-type was followed by Searle's B-type design, considered to be one of the first mass-produced commercial vehicles.[1][2]

In 1912, LGOC was taken over by the Underground Group of companies, which at that time owned most of the London Underground, and extensive tram operations. As part of the reorganisation following the takeover, a separate concern was set up for the bus manufacturing elements, and was named Associated Equipment Company, better-known as AEC.[3][4]

AEC's first commercial vehicle was a lorry based on the X-type bus chassis. With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, AEC's ability to produce large numbers of vehicles using assembly line methods became important in supplying the increasing need for army lorries. AEC began large-scale production of the 3-ton Y-type lorry, commenced in 1916, and continued beyond the end of the war. From then on, AEC became associated with both lorries and buses."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Equipment_Company

I get the impression that the correct designation for the Type B lorry is actually Type Y

Type YB or YC


Note that the top of the radiator is different from the Old Bill omnibus. The cab roof is also different.



Found this as well so I don't know how the development
or design history of these things are connected ...


Maybe they did straight conversions of bus chassis and then started fiddling around with the design?

/ Robin

Edit: They were also built with Daimler engine & radiator

Hi Robin

I guess the Y Type is a different truck. From Military Machines International (November 2014 issue) :

"The London General Omnibus Company (LGOC) was formed in 1855 to operate the London bus routes. The LGOC initially used horsepower, but from 1904 purchased a variety of motor buses before building their own ‘X Type’ in 1909 followed by the famous ‘B Type’ in 1910. In October 1914 300 ‘B Type’ buses were taken to France to be used for carrying troops,although on landing many had their bus body removed and were fitted with a general service type body such as this one."

About the AEC Y Type truck :

"The Associated Equipment Company (AEC) was set up in June 1912 by London’s largest bus operator the London General Omnibus Company (LGOC) to build and repair their London buses. In March 1915 the first ‘Y Type’ truck left the factory, but due to a complicated agreement with the rival bus builder Daimler, the AEC built chassis’ were fitted with Daimler engines and badged as Daimlers up until December 1917. After this date they were fitted with 7720cc JB4 engines manufactured by Tyler."

wonder if this could be "updated" for post war service with the addition of a simplistic enclosed cab & pneumatic tires?

they all couldn't have been lost to the trenches.

At least that's exactly what Louis Willeme did to launch his business in 1923 with surplus American-built Liberty trucks (ICM kit ) :





More Liberty-based Willeme trucks

H.P.

They were still marketing them with solid tires in 1920:


and in 1921:


The absence of pictures on the internet showing a type B lorry with pneumatic tires could be explained by the crappy cameras in mobile phones at that time.
Too much hassle to take a picture of an old truck, those who might have done it have probably not scanned the prints and put them on the internet.

Some enterprising contractor or operator of commercial vehicles may well have put pneumatic tires on them and built an enclosed cab.
A cab forward could be an option too, gives you the possibility of making two different ones

/ Robin

thank you. makes me want to put a kit on my "gonna get it now" list!