The nearside curve-of-roof of NDL491G [623] was damaged on arrival (delivery) to the island.

Although designed for OPO (one-person-operation) they were operated as crew buses (ie. driver with conductor) for the first two years. The pair tended to experience cooling difficulties initially and were fitted with new cooling systems by September 1970.

By May 1971 NDL490G [622] was fitted with a fluid clutch.

By July 1971 NDL490G [622] was equipped for one-man operation.

In early 1973 a further three Bristol VRT's were acquired in exchange for Bristol Lodekka's KDL143-145F [619-621]:

• NGM168G which was new to Central SMT in November 1969 as their number [BN368]. It was acquired by Southern Vectis in February 1973 being allocated fleet number [619]. It had the tartan-style red/blue moquette seats re-arranged to H43/31F in March 1973 and was repainted into NBC Leaf Green & White livery before entering service in April, still with the three-track Scottish Bus Group indicator fitted.
• OSF305G which was new to Eastern Scottish in June 1969 as their number [AA305]. It was acquired by Southern Vectis in February 1973 being allocated fleet number [620]. It had the tartan-style red/blue moquette seats re-arranged to H43/31F in February 1973. The three-track Scottish Bus Group indicator was replaced with a standard two-aperture indicator and it was repainted into NBC Leaf Green & White livery before entering service in May 1973.
• OSF307G which was new to Eastern Scottish in June 1969 as their number [AA307]. It was acquired by Southern Vectis in March 1973 being allocated fleet number [621]. It had the tartan-style red/blue moquette seats re-arranged to H43/31F in March 1973. The three-track Scottish Bus Group indicator was replaced with a standard two-aperture indicator and it was repainted into NBC Leaf Green & White livery before entering service in July 1973.

In January 1974 NGM168G [619] was fitted with a standard two-aperture indicator in place of the three-track type.

In June 1974 NDL490G [622] was repainted into NBC Leaf Green & White livery.

In December 1974 NDL490G [622] demolished part of the (then) new wall at Ryde Bus Station.

In April 1976 NDL491G [623] was repainted into NBC Leaf Green & White livery.

Sometime between 1977 and 1981 NDL490G [622] had the rear destination blind screens removed and panelled over.

In December 1979 NDL491G [623] was withdrawn from service due to a chassis defect.

In June 1983 NDL490G [622] received top-deck front nearside damage by not keeping to the centre of the road under Havenstreet railway bridge.

The remaining four were withdrawn from service in:
October 1985: NDL490G [622]
September 1986: NGM168G [619] / OSF305G [620] & OSF307G [621]

Subsequent History

NGM168G [619]:

• In November 1986 it was sold to Johnson Brothers of Hodthorpe - still with them in June 2005.

OSF305G [620]:

• In November 1986 it was sold to Johnson Brothers of Hodthorpe - still with them in June 2005.

OSF307G [621]:

• In November 1986 it was sold to Johnson Brothers of Hodthorpe.
• In November 2004 it was sold to D. Priddle of Farnham for preservation.

NDL490G [622]:

• In January 1986 it was converted to a tree lopper and entered the Company's service fleet as number [009] having been repainted Orange with a royal blue band. It was withdrawn in late 1999.
• In late 1999 it was sold to a consortium of local enthusiasts. It is currently being restored to near-original specification, the roof cut from FDL681V has been fitted together with the rear dome from DPX684W. By September 2001 all the upper-deck interior panels, in original white style, had been fitted. Seat frames, from DPX684W, have also been acquired (which have orange coverings) and it is planned to re-cover these in green. By November 2001 a new upper-deck floor had been fitted, and it will soon be covered in Treadmaster covering. To continue with the restoration the consortium require the following parts: A Series 1 engine door & lower corner panels, Original style nearside-front corner indicator (trafficator) cover - if you can help with these items then please contact me and I will forward your message to Paul Budden. [per Paul Budden]

NDL491G [623]:

• In September 1980 it was cannibalised for spares.
• In February 1982 the remains passed to Lynn Valley Metals of Downend for scrap.

An offside-front view of NGM168G [619] in the early NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Staplers Road, Newport, during April 1973. Note the original Scottish Bus Group three-track indicator.
[photo copyright of Ken Fry]

NGM168G [619] later had the three-track indicator replaced with a standard two-aperture one. In the later NBC Leaf Green & White livery a nearside-front view at Newport Bus Station on 28 July 1982.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

An offside-front view of NGM168G [619] in the later NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Newport Bus Station on 25 March 1983.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

A nearside-front view of OSF305G [620] being transferred from Ryde Garage, where it was stored upon arrival on the Island in February 1973, to Newport Depot for alterations and repaint before entering service. In Eastern Scottish livery passing Whippingham Racecourse on 5 March 1973.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

An offside-front view of OSF307G [621] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery (with later style NBC fleetname symbol) at Newport Bus Station on 10 August 1980.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

After withdrawal OSF307G passed to Johnson of Hodthorpe. A nearside-front view on 30 May 1998. It was still operating for them during 2002.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

Nearside-rear view of NDL490G, as the tree cutter number [009], at Coppins Bridge Car Park during the Southern Vectis open-day on 17 April 1988.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]

Undergoing restoration an offside-front view of NDL490G with the roof re-fitted at Ryde depot during September 2001.
[photo copyright of Paul Budden]