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[WA] Leyland Tiger Cubs

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 2:43 am
by Herbert
Perth's MTT operated the largest fleet of Leyland Tiger Cubs in Australia and, with 120 of them, perhaps had one of the largest fleets in the world. The prototype, 655, was a 39-seater bodied by the MTT themselves, whereas the following 119 had 38-seat bodies built by Howard Porter, Boltons or Freighters. Dennis96's magnificent photo of MTT 662 shows how the production units looked when new.

<img src="http://perthbus.info/MTT662-1972A.JPG" width=666>

So ubiquitos was the MTT Tiger Cub that it is easy to forget that the MTT was not the only WA operator of that marque, nor was it the first. Other operators included Muchea Bus Service, Metro Tours, Pioneer, and the Eastern Goldfields Transport Board (EGTB).

Entering service in 1954 (nearly a dozen years ahead of the MTT Cubs) was this interesting example for the Gingin-Muchea-Bullsbrook service. Very little is known about the operator, and less about the bus - except that its body design suggests it was built by Boltons:

<img src="http://perthbus.info/GMB-TIGERCUB-1954A.JPG" width=666>

I can find no other reference to this unique vehicle. Its similarity to Kalamunda Bus Service 17 (an AEC Regal IV 9823E) is striking, even down to the livery.

Metro Tours, a subsidiary of the giant Metropolitan Omnibus Co, appears to have had a number of Tiger Cubs. A former example of one of these was captured on film by Dennis96 in Kwinana in 1973. Once again, the body styling suggests Boltons was the builder:

<img src="http://perthbus.info/METROTOURS-TIGERCUB-1973A.JPG" width=666>

Here's another Metro Tours example when new, this time the body appears to be by Campbell & Mannix. Its registration suggests that it was new circa 1956:

<img src="http://perthbus.info/METROTOURS-TIGERCUB-B.JPG" width=666>
Photographer unknown/Dennis96 collection

The following Cub is PSUC1/3 model (ie pneumocyclic gearbox) 604262 with Freighters C28Fv body, recorded as being new to Ansett Pioneer, Perth, registered BD1206. In the photo it still carries that registration, and appears to be either No 25 or 26 with the Eastern Goldfields Transport Board, Kalgoorlie.

<img src="http://perthbus.info/IMG_3579.JPG" width=666>
Bruce Harris photo/Ian Kerr collection

I'm a bit suspicious of this information considering "BD" = Boulder. Why would Ansett Pioneer (Perth) register a new bus in Boulder? Also, as BD797 was issued to another vehicle in 1973, BD1206 being issued as early as 1960 seems unlikely. Furthermore, the livery style looks very similar to the previous two Metro Tours Cubs.

Then there's this photo to consider ...

<img src="http://perthbus.info/METROTOURS-TIGERCUB-C.JPG" width=666>

... not clear enough to read the rego, alas!

If anyone is able to shed more light on the histories of these forgotten Cubs, it would be greatly appreciated.

Non-MTT Tiger Cub chassis known to have come to Australia for which no operator names are known are:

PSUC1/1 542943 - could this be the Muchea bus?
PSUC1/1 542945 C&M C40F - Metro Tours ??
PSUC1/3 554490
PSUC1/3 554491
PSUC1/3 554492
PSUC1/1 554817
PSUC1/3 564157
PSUC1/1 564521
PSUC1/1 564523
PSUC1/1 564524 C&M C40F - Metro Tours ??
PSUC1/3 564760
PSUC1/3 564761
PSUC1/3 566400
PSUC1/3 566401
PSUC1/3 567572
PSUC1/3 576115
PSUC1/1 594114 C&M C40F 1959 - Metro Tours ??
PSUC1/1 604416
PSUC1/1 604417
PSUC1/11 626043 (one number above MTT's prototype 655)
PSUC1/11 626417
PSUC1/11 L10887

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:50 am
by hij
The cub at the top really stirs up the senses - the colour and time of day in general. (I caught many a bus in the evening as a kid). What a great pic.
The second photo - as you probably already know Herbert- is from a negative named and dated West End Motors 29.09.1954.

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:11 am
by Dave Wilson
I take it that the Gingin Bus is long gone. Is that it in teh 1973 photo with no windows. It and the bus in the following photo are rather moorish. I can see why ex pat poms like WA.

Perth Tiger Cubs

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:15 pm
by HiHo
I was once the proade owner of 6 ex Perth tiger cubs they were the best buses that i had in my fleet except for the alnor bodied worldmaster.

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:21 pm
by Windy
Is this the Worldmaster which has the first Alnor body, and the one I last saw at Sugar Valley Coachlines, ex ABC Bus Company? My school at the time (Scots College) used it as a charter bus once, this was before they turned to Telfords. I found it striking with it's dead flat windscreen and the orange stripes which reminded me of San Francisco's MUNI livery.

Alnor Bus

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:40 pm
by HiHo
Thats the one i think Toronto bus still has it iasked Spencer Ross and he did not know where it was but i have been led to beleive they have it.It was a great bus.I do not know where the cubs went.

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 5:37 pm
by Fleabag
Brilliant photos.

Hated the Cubs, though.

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:30 pm
by mjrs23
great photo's Herbert

P.S is the "tiger" pre or post war :?:

EGTB Leyland Cub

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 8:04 pm
by Guy_Arab
The Photo of Bruce Harris is EGTB No.24 25 had different front, I have a photo of No.25 just after its sale to a couple for a mobile home.
The Guy Arab MAN

Re: [WA] Leyland Tiger Cubs

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 10:35 pm
by Gusthewonderslug
Guys trying to track down my families old tiger cub, pic attached my folks converted it in the late 70s and sold it in the mid 80s.the bus was an ex eastern goldfields transport board bus and purchased from Reg Adams.
The bus was originally the tour bus at Bp Kwinana during its construction and named Lady Kwinana.
Any assistance would be much appreciated as my father is suffering the early stages of Alziemers and it would help with his treatment and memory retention, regaling stories.
I can be contacted on angus@amgrealestate.com.au
Many thanks
Gus

Re: [WA] Leyland Tiger Cubs

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 9:59 am
by Guy_Arab
Gusthewonderslug wrote:Guys trying to track down my families old tiger cub, pic attached my folks converted it in the late 70s and sold it in the mid 80s.the bus was an ex eastern goldfields transport board bus and purchased from Reg Adams.
The bus was originally the tour bus at Bp Kwinana during its construction and named Lady Kwinana.
Any assistance would be much appreciated as my father is suffering the early stages of Alziemers and it would help with his treatment and memory retention, regaling stories.
I can be contacted on angus@amgrealestate.com.au
Many thanks
Gus
I have sent two photos of the cubs for you to ID reply to my personal email
Guy Arab