The Post Bus

This is my first attempt at a B&W Blip, maybe it works. The reason I chose monochrome is that most of the photos I work from when modelling the 'serious' Port Appin are in that style. I suspect that it adds a mood to the shot, an attempt to recreate an era long gone. Hmmm....

Son Ali (gekkobelly) suggested I try using my iPhone for some close up shots and I have to admit it's a crackin' little lens. It seems to handle close-up shots with ease and even has the ability to adjust exposure 'on the hoof'. I know a lot of you know this already. I wonder how long it will be before the ubiquitous digi-camera will be usurped by a newer range of camera phones.

I've read that Apple are already developing a super spec range of tweaks for future iPhones and if it's in print it's probably already in the warehouse. My only gripe with my iPhone is the cumbersome way it seems to handle and I'm constantly getting my fingers and thumbs in the way of the lens. Maybe I'm just clumsy.

Regular watchers will know that Port Appin is my fictitious take on the real location on the gorgeous West Coast of Scotland. It is little more than a series of diaoramas that I indulge my modelling desires upon. The 'daft' Port Appin pics started by accident. This one is by design.

The real West Coast Motors is an important operator in Argyll. My fictional fleet is based on their early livery and there the similarity ends. For those of you still with me, here's the detail about this pic...

The main bus is an ex MacBraynes Bedford OLAZ a 20 seater coach built in 1952 on a rugged truck based chassis. After being taken out of their coach fleet it was extensively rebuilt and ran as a Royal Mail van until 1962. My model is an extensively modified resin kit. Just visible is a Bedford OWB Mail Bus with roof rack - in the livery of Sutherland Transport and Trading of Lairg. There's the roof of another kit, an ex MacBraynes Thornycroft Nippy just visible behind the Harbour Cafe (the scratch built building is loosely based on the PO and shop at Cullipool on Luing).

The Series 1 Landrover is an Oxford diecast, (about £3.50) and is based on a GPO type seen around the Highlands and Islands. The nose of the lorry is another Oxford, a wartime Bedford MWD, a type seen all around post war Britain well into the 60's.

If there's anyone left out there now, thanks for hanging in!