Two enthusiastic bus modellers, Bob Heathcote and Martin Popplewell founded the MBF in 1968 as a way of extending their hobby by communicating with other modellers and swapping ideas and tips to help improve their modelling. Both founder members were pupils of Bradford Grammar School, and discovered they had a common interest in buses, and also model buses.
Bob Heathcote is a native of Huddersfield, but had moved to Bradford and his interests in the late 1960's were directed more towards trolleybuses. Bob remains a central figure within the MBF and is currently a committee member as well as membership secretary. He currently resides in Sheffield, where he has taken up the position as Reverend of the United Reform Church in the city.
Subject ID: 81106
MoreTwo enthusiastic bus modellers, Bob Heathcote and Martin Popplewell founded the MBF in 1968 as a way of extending their hobby by communicating with other modellers and swapping ideas and tips to help improve their modelling. Both founder members were pupils of Bradford Grammar School, and discovered they had a common interest in buses, and also model buses.
Bob Heathcote is a native of Huddersfield, but had moved to Bradford and his interests in the late 1960's were directed more towards trolleybuses. Bob remains a central figure within the MBF and is currently a committee member as well as membership secretary. He currently resides in Sheffield, where he has taken up the position as Reverend of the United Reform Church in the city.
Both Bob and Martin were instrumental in persuading early white metal kit manufacturers, such as Anbrico, into producing 1/76th scale bus kits, initially for the benefit of MBF members.
In later years, the MBF has been responsible for a small range of white metal bus kits in its own right, these being the all Leyland Royal Tiger 1950's coach, produced by Mark Hughes models, and the MAN Optare Vecta kit, produced by RTC models.
Since these white metal kits have been produced, the emphasis has been on the production of resin bus kits, and a number have been made available to MBF members.
The Federation has grown over these 43 years to become an organisation of over 1000 members worldwide. It has an elected committee, and aims to share and promote new ideas, relating to model buses, trolleybuses and trams.
Within the UK it has a regional structure, with each geographical area organising its own shows, trips and meetings through local groups led by an Area Secretary. An impressive colour journal is produced and distributed every month, and its own in house sales department provides a stock of kits and spare parts to keep members enthusiasm high!
National meetings involving all members provide an opportunity to meet other modellers from around the country, and some of these involve shows and competitions.
Subject ID: 81106
Subject ID: 81106