1/24 Heller Autobus TN6 C2

by Carl Gootzen

--------------------

Silly Week 2008

 

It was in the early thirties that the first buses of the “TN”series were built.  The progress that had been made by the automobile industries, made it possible to design buses which could seat 50 people or more.

The TN6, with a 6-cylinder engine of 94 HP, was used on the long suburban runs and on the very hilly lines such as Montmartre, Ménilmontant and Belleville in Paris, France.  The enormous flexibility of use of the TN6C was legendary among drivers.

During the war, these buses were equipped with a coal-burning gas generating system.  After the war, the main modification made on the TN6s, was the enclosure of the driver’s cab, so as to allow him a minimum of comfort during the winter months.  Replacement of the “TN” buses was begun in 1960, and the last one was withdrawn in 1969, 38 years after the first one was put into service.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

A friend of mine, who owns several buses and cars to be used for weddings and parties, had bought one with the intention to restore it in its former glory.  But with too much projects in the pipeline, he could sell it to gain some place for another restoration project!  In the picture above you can see there was a lot of work waiting to get it looking like the model I’ve built.

I painted the model in the colours he had in mind for this one.  As long as I can find the kits of the real buses and cars he owns, I will have lots of fun building them and you can expect some contributions in the future!  

Best wishes for 2008 and a lot of modelling fun!

Carl 

Photos and text © by Carl Gootzen