Posted by Thomas Young at 22:19 on 15/09/2008
Where's my CMNL IRU then? While various websites still show this model as being due in July, a couple are now quoting late September. Still not seen any images of it though.

Posted by Ray at 19:52 on 16/09/2008
October release coming up. http://goldstarstockists.net/live/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/159/products_id/21680 gives a reasonable price to acquire a full fleet!

Posted by Ray at 12:49 on 19/09/2008
October 'Buses'. GBP7.29 at Auto Models (p.74) or GBP8 on p.23 at Transmac.

Posted by Damon at 23:36 on 21/09/2008
GBP6 plus GBP1.50 postage from the Yardley Wood Bus Club. Find them at www.ywbc.co.uk

Posted by Norrie Sprinter at 22:58 on 13/10/2008
UKVAN 1004. The CMNL News Release giving details of the forthcoming releases for Period 3 / 2008 gives October 2008 as the Production Date for this item. On top of that will be delivery time. The p/p shows it as being WM57 DYJ (6352M) - same as recently added photo to this site HTH Norrie

Posted by Norrie Sprinter at 08:58 on 28/10/2008
News Release today. ukvan 1004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter : London Buses Creative Master Northcord Limited is pleased to announce the release of ukvan 1004, the second replica on its most popular Mercedes-Benz Sprinter panel van model tooling. ukvan 1004 represents London Buses Service Fleet number 6352M (WM57 DYJ). London Buses currently operates a fleet of 26 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, for network operations, that entered service at the very start of 2008. 6352M is allocated at Stratford Bus Station as an Incident Response Unit. The Sprinter has reflective side and rear flashes as well as the light bar at the back on the roof. The London Buses Roundel and registration number of the Sprinter van are also carried on the roof. Key features of the ukvan 1000 series, exemplified on ukvan 1004, include interior detail showing the driver's instrument binnacle, steering wheel, single driver's seat, and also chassis detail that includes replicated drive-train and exhaust system as well as fuel tank and spare wheel. The windscreen wipers are individually made pieces and therefore the models are not suitable for children under 14 years of age. The ukvan 1004 model carries a numbered Limited Edition Certificate showing that it is one of a run of only 1700 pieces worldwide.

Posted by Thomas Young at 12:03 on 29/10/2008
I have been sent some photos of this model, which I hope to publish when I get home tonight. In the meantime, there are a couple of photos on the news page of http://www.britishmodelbuses.com/. As expected, the model is based on a long-wheelbase van, but the difference is not hugely noticeable.

Posted by Thomas Young at 23:04 on 29/10/2008
And here are the first pictures.Courtesy of NorrieSprinter, here are some pictures of the forthcoming Creative Master Northcord MB Sprinter van in LBSL Incident Response Unit livery. Click any photo for a larger view.

Posted by Damon at 17:09 on 19/11/2008
The Creative Master Sprinter IRU model is still not with us. The CMN website lists at as released in September but the UK distributor's website (Ayrey diecasts) lists it as December. I presume they're all on a boat on their way here trying desperately to avoid Somali pirates! There was no sign of any at the Kempton Park Toy Fair last week where I spent too much money anyway. Some bloke in Falkirk is knocking them out on ebay for GBP9.99 post free if anyone can't wait - presume from the photos that this is NorrieSprinter mentioned elsewhere in this thread. Think I'll write a letter to Santa instead!

Posted by Damon at 21:08 on 16/12/2008
The Creative Master IRU is now released. Cheapest bet seems to be the Yardley Wood Bus Club website. Also about 5 London related EFE's due out this week including the superb BEA RMA with trailer, LCBS RT, Bexleybus DMS, Arriva Olympian on the 142 and a green RF. Put 'em on your list for Santa.

Posted by Thomas Young at 15:09 on 05/01/2009
The new model has finally appeared at the London Transport Museum shop, who have a good stock priced at GBP7.82 each.