Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

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Carlisle 8
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Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by Carlisle 8 »

Image

Pioneer 9, MB306.

I think that SMS88AEC will like that.

(Edit was to change URL to photo, after change of server.)
Last edited by Carlisle 8 on Tue May 26, 2009 8:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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SMS88AEC
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Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by SMS88AEC »

What a superb shot :D of no 9 freshly painted 6 months after leaving the UK - this is the very same bus now preserved at Drouin. THANKYOU for sharing :D
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Herbert
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Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by Herbert »

Apologies: a re-organisation of my server has meant the original link to the photo will no longer work. Here's the photo again:

Image
Get the gen, see the shots: www.perthbus.info
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tbc1983
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Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by tbc1983 »

Is the Merlin the original VÖV bus? :wink:

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Windy

Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by Windy »

Nope, FRM1 would be the take for that windscreen design, which influenced the Metropolitan-Scania windscreens and the DM/DMS class (Daimler/Leyland Fleetlines) among others.
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Swift
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Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by Swift »

Taken 1976?That photo is so crisp.I'm used to 1970s colour photos being alot fuzzier and discoloured.

That bus looks excellent in that version of the Pioneer livery.More attractive than the later one.
I had no idea Pioneer ran Merlins that early.
NSW, the state that embraces mediocrity.
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Carlisle 8
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Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by Carlisle 8 »

Thanks for your comment, Swift 584. The answer is good camera, good lens, but most importantly, good film, which means Kodak. The shot was taken on Ektachrome 64. I used that film exclusively, when taking slides, until Kodak stopped making it. All of my Ektachrome slides are as good as the day I took them. A great film!

I switched to the wonderful Kodachrome 64, after Ektachrome was withdrawn. Kodachrome is universally acknowledged as the film with the best longevity, by far. It is a pity that it is hard to obtain, due to the widespread adoption of digital cameras. One acquaintance of mine imports Kodachrome from America.

As a transport enthusiast, I am worried about the possible loss of digital images. Digital storage can be fragile and its longevity is unproven.

I agree with you, that the Pioneer livery illustrated in the photo is very attractive.
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STA 1440
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Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by STA 1440 »

Wow, thats a really beautiful pic, what a great looking bus, is it still in existence?
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Carlisle 8
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Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by Carlisle 8 »

I am glad to advise that it has been preserved. I learned of that, from a posting on another site, by SMS88AEC, but he did not specify the location.
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SMS88AEC
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Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by SMS88AEC »

Carlisle 8 wrote:I am glad to advise that it has been preserved. I learned of that, from a posting on another site, by SMS88AEC, but he did not specify the location.
Its at Drouin near Melbourne still in Pioneer colours, and if you search this forum for Merlin, you should find pix on an old thread from over a year ago
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Swift
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Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by Swift »

I'm so thrilled to learn that MB306 has escaped a terrible fate.ie: no longer existing!
They are the only wide door ,low entry AEC rear engine citybus with enclosed driver's cab.
Also they have that unique dash with the CAV selector neatly attached to the side in integral fashion instead of being attached to the steering column as is the usual case.

They represent AEC's later more modern era.Quiote a few of of the older front engine AECs with the metric series engines have been preserved but the products from their final years with the imperial series engines such as the AH 470 ,505,590,691 and 760 engines ,chrome rear wheel covers and studless AEC front wheel badges have been largely overlooked.
Having grown up with rear engine Swifts and underfloor Reliances,these later era AECs are the ones I have a passion for.

It's a tragedy that around 800 Merlin Swifts were built and only a handful remain now.
In the right hands ,these buses were perfectly good units to operate,just not for 1970s London Transport.
NSW, the state that embraces mediocrity.
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RM1103
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Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by RM1103 »

Hi guys, I have just purchased the Merlin from Drouin, it will be re-painted into London Transport red, and kept in Sydney NSW.
RedLondonBus.com.au
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SMS88AEC
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Re: Another Merlin at Ipswich: 26.09.1976.

Post by SMS88AEC »

Please do share some photos of it as it is now, I wonder how well that 20 year old Pioneer paint is holding up? Will you be keeping the interior preserved as it is now or is this bus for a commercial venture? This bus still has the panels screwed into wooden fillets as far as I know so its one that needs to live undercover to last........
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