EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS Devon General Fleet Focus

The Devon General Omnibus and Touring Company was founded in 1919 and merged with the competing Torquay Tramways Company Limited in 1922. Always using an interesting variety of vehicles, Devon General recovered from severe war time cuts to be one of the leaders in the 'fifties bus and coaching boom. The many tourist attractions of the Devon area have always been a feature of the advertising on Devon General buses and so feature strongly in this model fleet.

16503 Leyland Atlantean
On route 12 to Brixham, this Leyland Atlantean made its appearance in the Devon General fleet in 1959. With a seating capacity of 78, these were the largest and most modern vehicles in the fleet for some time. Fleet number 882 displays adverts for the famous Model Village at Babbacombe on its front and sides.

16004 Leyland PD2 Lowbridge
Fleet number DL604 is en route to Tiverton and represents a slightly older class of vehicle from the Devon General fleet. With its "Lowbridge" bodywork, this vehicle was suitable for many of the more restricted yet still busy routes operated by the company. It carries an advert for Golden Stream Tea on its sides.

19702 Regent V (Orion Body)
Representing the AEC marque of which Devon General were a major user, this Regent V is on route 13 to Dawlish and carries adverts for the Kents Cavern caves on its sides.

20403 Bristol VR III
Bought with a removable roof for summer duties by the company, this VR is one of several which carry names of famous ships to aid their identity. VDV 140S, "Invincible", is on route 127 to Hesketh Crescent in a short lived, more traditional livery which it wore in 1986.

24303 BET Style Bus.
Tourist based advertising reaches its peak on this BET style bus of which Devon General had several examples. 950 HTT, fleet number 950, is built on an AEC chassis and is on route 16 to Newton Abbot Bus Station. The colourful advertising on its sides and rear include: Kents Cavern, Babbacombe Model Village, Torbay Aircraft Museum and Totnes Motor Museum

20121 Bedford OB DEVON GENERAL
A long awaited arrival to the Devon General fleet this OB, JUO 604, fleet number SB 604, is en route to Exmouth. Devon General models are a popular subject which always attract great attention, this pretty little model will surely be no exception with its detailed livery application.

24702 Manchester MCW Atlantean DEVON GENERAL
The second release of our new style Atlantean is in the popular livery of Devon General. NDV 537G, fleet number 537, is on route 55 to St. Marychurch and displays adverts for Pollard's Ice Cream and local tourist attraction Aqualand.

16116 Leyland PD2 Highbridge CITY OF EXETER
The much requested livery of Exeter is the subject of this months release of the Leyland PD2. HFJ 145, fleet number 18, is on route A to Whipton. With detailed crest and carrying adverts for local businesses, this attractive PD is sure to please many collectors. The Exeter fleet was absorbed into Devon General.

26303 GUY ARAB II Utility Bus DEVON GENERAL
The distinctive colours of Devon General seem to suit this model well. With the popularity of this fleet our Guy Arab will be in great demand and will complement our previous models from this fleet. The model features Fleet number DG323 registered GTT 423 on route 2 to Teignmouth and carries adverts for Watneys Brown Ale and Trumans Beer.

20006 Leyland PD2/12 Orion CITY OF EXETER
Our second vehicle from the colourful and interesting City of Exeter fleet is an MCW Orion bodied Leyland PD. The Exeter fleet used letters to identify their routes, and fleet number 492 registered VFJ 999 is featured on route K to Pennsylvania carrying advertisements for Brufords the Jewellers and Pollards Ice Cream.

20627 Plaxton Pointer Dart STAGECOACH DEVON GENERAL. An interesting vehicle to joint our Devon General fleet is this ex-Hong Kong Citybus Dart, which comes complete with roof mounted Air Conditioning system. Fleet number 742 is on route 85A to Newton Abbot.