THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Maidstone & District other pre NBC and Centennnial images
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Back in the seventies, M&D became the home for comparative trials of the new doubledeck models then emerging on to the market to rival the Leyland based products. Five or so Dennis Dominators, MCW Metrobuses and Volvo Ailsas arrived, of which this - 5385 (LKP385P) - is one of the latter, with the almost inevitable Alexander bodywork, which typically adorned this Scottish product. The Ailsas had the shortest stay with M&D, but it is nice that this one has survived to be displayed in the rains of North Weald. The livery is original M&D, yet the buses were delivered in NBC livery which its preservationists have since applied. Indeed 5385 became a SHOWBUS stalwart over the year, even venturing to Donington Park in 2016 for an Ailsa reunion.
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 Stagecoach Volvo B10M/Plaxton Paladin 20654 (R654HCD) was chosen to carry Maidstone & District centenary livery. Stagecoach's Hastings area operations, acquired as Hastings & District were originally part of the M&D fleet. The bus is seen at the Alton Rally in 2006. |
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