Volvo Ailsa Alexander RV V3

[handball1967]

I remember well one of our engneers at Potters Bar lost it on a corner of wet and recently re surfaced road and dropped it on its side in to a field hittign a mini in the prosess, had a fence post sticking out the side for ages...... seams sine rebuilding its lost is 3 speed Voith box, whitch V1 V2 and V3 had

[Negibus]

Is this V3 is the one originally for London Transport that with two staircases?

[TheMillFairfield]

@Negibus  Yes

[raylyd]

nice sounds driffernt to the cardiff alisas whats the gear box driffernts

[TheMillFairfield]

For a start, NBC wasn't a big Atlantean user, Secondly they did get some ailsas but the fuel consumption was so wank they decided not to get anymore.

[islandtraction]

What the Wulfrunian might have been, with all its problems ironed out?

Shame the Ailsa didn't sell too well outside of Scotland. But for the NBC being lashed into buying BL rubbish, it would surely have kicked the Atlantean's booty?

[craigybus1]

If it wasnt for the late Brian Crowther, this bus would have been bean tins long ago. This bus should have been kept in Black Prince livery as a tribute to him.

[TheMillFairfield]

It should have been kept in Black Prince regardless, Clearly some people don't care for such things

[lec0roh]

Did you know that there is still ONE bus, today in December 2009, that still wears Black Prince livery? .....it is VanHool McArdle bodied Ailsa LWB377P, the one which carries the green and cream "BlacK Prince Silver Jubilee 1969-1994" livery. Sadly, little has been done to the vehicle since it entered preservation in 1997 (to my knowledge at least) and a tremendous amount of work now needs doing on it. But, it's still with us, nonetheless.

[craigybus1]

Its a Vanhool McArdle and the body will probably collapse if you take the panels off, as it will be terminally corroded.

[lec0roh]

@craigybus1: No, it's definately an Alexander RV body. The only Ailsas built with VanHool McArdle bodies were LWB369-410P, PSJ824/5R, NAK411-429R and SHL930S.

Also, the body on this is in superb condition as the bus was almost totally rebuilt by Black Prince between 1992 and 2004.

[craigybus1]

@I am on about 377. The body will be at the point of collapse by now, as it was rotting whilst in use with Brian. I last saw it dumped in a corner at Kimberworth and it looked like PVS fodder. The body on V3 still isn't totally straight,. The lads at BP did their best to straighten it, but it is still not 'square. The only way to make it true would have been a total re-body. Also the EL E type front dome doesnt quite line up, being a slightly different shape to the genuine Alexander.

[lec0roh]

@craigybus1 Sorry, I misunderstood you. Yes, you're right, 377 is rather unwell these days.

[Startrekkevster]

this brings back certain memories of ailsas in leeds. took a ride on black prince V3 a few times.wicked bus shame lost its exhaust round leeds 1 point lol and had to get towed :(. was back in service for last few weeks of black prince :)

[CrazyStingbee]

Ive always wanted a ride on this particular ailsa.

[TheMillFairfield]

Ailsa Ailsa Ailsa!

[stueybish]

Sounds very National like. Never been on an Ailsa, don't think I'd like to have that racket next to me all day driving!

[SukiFromOldbury]

despite what you might think, theyre pretty quiet in the cab. If you heard one with the engine covers off, you'd realise just how much noise they suppress!

[e37405]

Ailsa

[deedee5110341]

Ailsaaaaaaaa!