Buses in Malta - page 1. Ex London Transport AEC Swifts (by Shane Conway)
Last updated 7 December 2023
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Thanks to David Gilbert who found the file and sent it to me, I have received a lot of more of his father's photos and text files relating to this site. Among them are over 200 delightful photos of Maltese buses and coaches taken by Peter Skerry in 2006. As these would have been mostly swept away by the 2011 reform of the island's bus services, these pages will help to recall how things used to be in Malta. So we start off with a page covering the ex London Transport AEC Swift single deckers dating from 1969 to 1971. As can be seen from the photos, many of these vehicles were modified, customised or rebuilt so extensively, that some serious detective work is needed to figure out their origins. Thankfully Peter did just that with each bus or coach he saw. I am indebted to both David and Peter for making these photos available. The photos are arranged in order of their original London identities.
Maltese route buses (from 1995 to 2011) were registered in the format DBY (or EBY or FBY) followed by three digits. Prior to 1995 they were plated as Y followed by four digits, and were all re-registered at that time, but maintained a direct link between both versions, e.g. Y-0475 became EBY 475 and so on.
First up is the former SM8 (AML 8H), new in January 1970 with a Marshall B42F body. Changes evident include moving the emergency exit from centre to rear, adding deeper windows at the back end, fitting two-piece doors, and a Plaxton Paramount front panel. This would seem to be one of the type fitted with a mid engine as evidenced by the access flaps between the axles. Perusal of these photos seem to suggest that mid engined buses have the exhaust pipe ahead of the rear wheels, and the rear engined ones have it behind the wheels. EBY 625 was the oldest example exported to Malta and in this view retains its original windscreen.
Next are two photos of SM9, which also dates from January 1970 and has been fitted with a Plaxton Paramount lower front and seen on route 60. Just a month later it had come to grief after a front end prang -- was it repaired or scrapped after this?
SM11 (new February 1970) seen on route 22 is in largely original condition, apart from the quad headlights which do very little for its appearance.
SM13 received a replacement front panel, quite possibly one made up by its owner. The winsdcreen, wipers and destination glass have also all been changed, and it looks like Reliance was painted on the glass at one stage.
SM14 seems to be another of the rear to mid engine conversions, as it lacks the grille behind the rear wheels and the fuel tank filler in the centre of the bus. Its front end has been altered, and this time the model name on the top glass is correct.....
SM15, unlike many of its ilk on Malta, has remained in original condition other than the chrome or stainless steel window surrounds. "Never trust" as seen on the side window -- I wonder about the meaning of that in relation to the bus?
SM33 dates from April 1970 and in this view is still largely in original condition. However the addition of a widened Leyland or AEC truck grille to the front gives it a very distinctive and somewhat sylish look.
SM34 is yet another example which seems to have had its engine relocated, given the lack of a grille behind the rear axle. It too has a Plaxton style front fitted.
The last of the first fifty SMs was also a Maltese bus in its later life. Again it sports a truck type grille and bumper, while the engine description on the bumper and on the replacement flat windscreen disagree with each other. I have never heard of an AEC 506 engine.......
Following from SM1 to 50 in London, most other London AEC Swifts were dual door buses. On arrival in Malta any such examples were converted to single door and upseated. Here is the former SMS60, another with a truck grille and metallic window surrounds.
Dating from September 1971, SMS202 has received an unbadged truck grille and frontal sighwriting proclaiming its the leader.....
SMS212 has had its window line altered to have equal depth panes and the emergency exit moved rearwards. Again its another example with a Plaxton Paramount front panel.
SMS232 has also received a truck grille and has had its doors changed from the L T layout to the format seen here.
SMS238 was one of those buses which received this truck inspired front panel and bumper. What it is from is another matter entirely. Also note the equal depth window line with a sloping first pane behind the cab area, the re-located exit door and the flat windscreen.
One of the most extensive rebuilds was that of SMS244. The sides have been adorned with the side strips from a Duple Dominant, the engine moved to between the axles and a coach style windscreen and front fitted, along with new doors. But, just in case there is any doubt, the top signwriting is a clue as to what it is/was......
Here we see SMS258 with its new front panel, flat screen and Reliance signage up top. Alongside is a more traditional style Maltese bus, with a new machine seen in the background.
Its all for nothing, according to this example!! SMS268 retains its original window line but with a sloped front pane, truck front and flat windscreens.
SMS275 is another example to have been Plaxtonised, as well as getting flat windscreens instead of the original curved ones.
SMS280, which was new in November 1970, has had its Park Royal altered at the front with flat angled windscreens and a Plaxton inspired front panel. It also seems unsure which model of AEC bus it actually is........
Here we have SMS292 which has side facing seats over the fron wheels. Other than the front panel and the lack of a rear grille and centre door, it is fairly original throughout.
SMS329 is yet another with the truck type grille and also sports both AEC and Leyland badging. The hinged side panels suggest this is another example converted to mid engine layout.
SMS427 is another with the altered side windows, flat windscreens and Plaxton front panel. It also has received rubber mouldings along the sides, similar to those used on Plaxton Supremes and Paramounts.
SMS572, apart from the blanked off destination screen, is totally original in appearance, even retaining its London Transport design indicators at roof level.
SMS603 retains its original window side window layout but with yet another variation on the revised frontal theme.
SMS803, which was the highest numbered Swift on Malta, has been altered to mid engine layout, and has a Plaxton Paramount front with flat windscreens. All the seats are at the same level, and have been retrimmed in brown.
For more Maltese buses see Bristol LHs, Fords, Bedfords with Duple or Marshall bodies, and Bedfords with Plaxton bodies.
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