28 April 2022
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Northcord Model Company Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC - National Express West Midlands (6937 - SK68 MJE)
PRICE: £59.99
REF: UK6526
SCALE: 1/76
One of two new releases from Northcord Model Company reviewed this month, its Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC casting gets another outing, this time wearing the livery of National Express West Midlands.
Previously released in the liveries of Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Bluestar, Stagecoach West Scotland, Southern Vectis, Stagecoach South, Ensign Bus and Xplore Dundee, Northcord brings us its thirteenth livery on the 10.9 metre long, single-door casting, featuring SmartVision camera mirrors in place of traditional driver rear-view mirrors.
The model represents fleet number 6937 (registration number SK68 MJE) and it was new to National Express West Midlands in early 2019. In addition to being the first bus to have the innovative SmartVision camera mirrors in the fleet, 6937 carries a full and colourfully branded livery for the Platinum X10 route. The livery and branding are 100% reproduced.
The stand-out features on the branding are “up to every 20 mins” frequency on all sides. The prominent route number “X10” is carried on both sides and the rear, whilst “FAST along Hagley Road” is carried on the top of the front destination glass, “Halesowen to city centre” and “FAST along Hagley Road” on the nearside above the entrance door and, on the rear, “Merry Hill | Halesowen | then FAST Quinton | Bearwood | city centre” is prominent. Fares details are carried on some windows on each lower deck side.
Within the advert panels on each side and on the rear, lower window, wording refers to the extra legroom available on board in addition to the comfy seats. The model also correctly portrays the name “Brooke Yvie” that is carried on the front, below the windscreen on the nearside, and on the rear, at the top of the engine cover on the offside.
The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square, gasket-mounted windows. Another main feature on the model is its single tree protector at the front. The front dome on the model is significant, with curved windscreens on both decks.
Limited to 1,008 pieces worldwide, the model also features a fully-fitted, detailed interior that can clearly be appreciated through the expanse of glazing. It makes for yet another absolutely stunning release from NMC.