 Feedback or contributions? Send me an email  Page last updated Sunday, August 7, 2005 http://www.showbus.com/efe/index.html |
  Exclusive
First Editions (EFE) manufactures a wide range of 1/76 detailed road
vehicles, primarily buses and trucks (lorries). They produce four different
castings of Routemasters - the RM, RM open top, the RML, and the RCL (they
do not produce the RMC). As a result of ownership changes, the release
schedule for all models has slowed dramatically. These are my favorites
- and I optimistically look forward to many more in the future. |
|
||||||
Click
A Banner To See The Models:    Current Variation Count: 152 5 Prototypes 91 RM / 6 RMOT 39 RML / 11 RCL As of August 7, 2005 |
 EFE
began manufacturing diecasts in 1989. As with many model companies,
the manufacture of the models occurs in the Far East. Their first model
was the 1/76 scale RT bus (shown at left), a common site for many years
in England - and the predecessor of the Routemaster. By late 1992, the
decision was made to develop a scale model Routemaster. Although many
other manufacturers had released RM models, very few were detailed -
more precisely, realistic - in nature, as most were meant to be treated
as toys. It was simply felt that a market existed for a high quality
model of the bus, a decision that appears to be well justified by the
many models and variants released since. The first RM release was the
BOAC advert bus in 1993, issued with dual routes and fleet numbers.
By late 1998, RML and RCL versions were added to the line. In 2004,
models of the original RM1 and RM2 prototypes were released. EFE
is a major sponsor of the EFE SHOWBUS Rally, Europe's largest bus rally
attracting both classic and modern buses and coaches from all parts
of the UK and Europe. At each Showbus, EFE makes available a souvenir
model. The key individual responsible for the existance of EFE is Frank
Joyce (shown right), who started the company in 1988 after many years
of experience with firms such as Lesney (Matchbox) and Lledo. I had
the opportunity to meet Mr. Joyce at the 1999 Showbus and found him
to be a very pleasant and dedicated person. Although EFE began life
as a subsidiary of Gilbow Holdings, it is now owned and managed by Frank
and his wife. |
|||||||
