Leyland Victory Mark 2

The Leyland Victory Mark 2 was a front-engined double-decker bus chassis manufactured by Leyland between 1978 and 1981. Like its competitor the Dennis Jubilant it was specifically designed for the contemporary operating environment (hilly roads and one-person operation with a farebox) in Hong Kong.

Leyland Victory Mark 2
Preserved China Motor Bus Victory Mark 2 in Scotland in September 2012
Overview
ManufacturerLeyland
Production1978-1981
Body and chassis
Doors2
Floor typeStep entrance
Powertrain
EngineGardner 6LXB
TransmissionVoith DIWA 851
Self-Changing Gears GB350
Dimensions
Length9.7 metres
Chronology
SuccessorLeyland Olympian (indirect)

The chassis was developed from the Guy Victory J, which was also chosen by Bus Bodies (South Africa) for the development of its own double-decker. Four examples were delivered to Kowloon Motor Bus for evaluation.[1] It could be fitted with Gardner 6LXB engine and Voith D851 gearbox, but one Victory Mark 2 for China Motor Bus had been experimentally fitted with Self-Changing Gears GB350 gearbox.

Almost all Leyland Victory Mark 2s built for Hong Kong were fitted with Alexander bodywork, but the last 20 buses built for China Motor Bus were fitted with Duple Metsec bodywork.

Elsewhere, single-deck versions of the Guy Victory were also operated in Southeast Asian cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.[2]

Operators

Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) introduced 540 Victory Mark 2s between 1979 and 1983, including one unsuccessful air-conditioned coach which later had the air-conditioning unit removed.[3][1] China Motor Bus (CMB) purchased 167 Victory Mark 2s between 1979 and 1982.[4][5][6] New Lantao Bus (NLB) also purchased nine between 1980 and 1983, with a further six buses acquired from KMB in later years. In 1993 NLB sold 10 of its Victory Mark 2s to Citybus which took over 26 routes from CMB on 1 September 1993.[7]

This model of double-decker bus has served nearly all regions in Hong Kong, including New Territories, Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and Lantau Island.

All NLB and Citybus's Victory Mark 2s were withdrawn in the mid-1990s. KMB withdrew its last Victory Mark 2 in early 1998. CMB operated Victory Mark 2s until the takeover of its routes and vehicles, by New World First Bus on 1 September 1998, the ex-CMB Victory Mark 2s were gradually replaced by new low-floor buses, the last Victory Mark 2s were withdrawn on 31 August 2000.

Four Citybus Victory Mark 2s became service vehicles after withdrawal, whilst some withdrawn KMB/CMB Victory Mark 2s were sold on for use in rescue training.

Accidents

Leyland Victory Mark 2 has a notorious reputation as an unsafe bus, mainly due to its soft suspension and high centre of gravity, which makes it prone to overturning.

Major accidents involving Victory Mark 2
DateCompany &
Fleet number		RouteAccident
type		Location
29 August 1980CMB LV1104rolloverPok Fu Lam Road near Pok Fu Lam Tsuen
1 December 1980KMB G21770rolloverjunction between Nathan Road and Waterloo Road, Kowloon
23 August 1981KMB G09466Mcollision & fireTuen Mun Road near Sham Tseng
24 November 1981KMB G05845rolloverjunction between Fat Kwong Street and Chung Hau Street
25 January 1982KMB (unknown)36Mrolloverjunction between Castle Peak Road and Wo Yi Hop Road
17 August 1982KMB (unknown)85rolloverLion Rock Tunnel Road
12 October 1982KMB G44248rolloverjunction between Tai Wai Road and Lion Rock Tunnel Road
14 November 1982KMB G44060MrolloverTuen Mun Road near Siu Lam
2 February 1985KMB G20882Mrolloverjunction between Lion Rock Tunnel Road and Tai Chung Kiu Road
10 April 1985KMB G22472rolloverTai Po Road near Caldecott Road
5 November 1986KMB G47061Arolloverjunction between Ming Kum Road and Shek Pai Tau Road, Tuen Mun
17 March 1990CMB LV2194rolloverAp Lei Chau Bridge (exit at Aberdeen side)
9 October 1991KMB G49343Xrolloverentrance of Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier bus terminus
25 July 1993KMB G30569Mrolloverjunction between Hung Tin Road and Ping Ha Road
June 1996KMB G15976KderoofSan Tam Road

Preservation

Some of the ex-China Motor Bus Victory Mark 2s had been saved for preservation. LV2, LV30 and LV158 are preserved in Hong Kong, LV36 was donated to Scottish Vintage Bus Museum.

Trivia
  • Leyland Victory Mark 2 was also known as "chicken" in Hong Kong because its soft suspension made it behave like a chicken when accelerating or decelerating.

References
  1. "Hong Kong Buses Part 3: Kowloon Motor Bus" Fleetline issue 249 July 1997 page 112
  2. York, FW; Davis, Mike; Phillips, Ron (2005). Singapore Buses Volume 1 Singapore Bus Service Part 1. DTS Publishing. ISBN 9781900515757.
  3. All due credit Commercial Motor 15 September 1978
  4. Tradition wins CMB 'Commercial Motor 30 March 1979
  5. Leyland for Hong Kong Commercial Motor 10 November 1979
  6. "Hong Kong Buses Part 1: China Motor Bus Co" Fleetline issue 247 March 1997 page 50
  7. "Hong Kong Buses: Part 2 Citybus Limited" Fleetline issue 248 May 1997 page 93
  • Lee Tin Yau (2001). Leyland Victory 2. Northcord International Limited. ISBN 962-920-034-1.
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