AEC Swift – LT SM type (1969-72)

Ex LT AEC Swift 4MP2R SM3 (AML3H) at Woburn Abbey, 1992. (John Law collection)

SM4 (AML4H) as TL1 from Catford Garage is seen at Middle Park Estate in Eltham on route 160A turning at Kingsground on April 8th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

SM9 (FBY738, AML9H), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

SM11 (FBY675, AML11H), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

SM13 (AML13H) from Poplar Garage on Blackwall Tunnel route 108. (Jeff Lloyd collection)

SM14, (FBY656, AML14H), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

Malta FBY656, ex LT AML14H. (Peter Relf)

SM15 (DBY426, AML15H), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

1970 AEC Swift/Marshall DBY426, ex LT SM15 AML15H. Malta 2006. (Peter Skerry)

Malta EBY554 is ex-LT SM16 (AML16H) and is seldom seen out and about. Judging by its sparkling appearance it's in very good hands. Note how the steering wheel has been modified to sit at a very steep angle. Malta, January 2008. (Peter Skerry)

Ex LT AEC Swift SM20 (DBY379, AML20H) has no panels, no floor, and single wheels at the back, but it does have the original auto gears and if you put jump leads on it it will start and drive! Meanwhile it is as seen, a washing line, and has been for 8 years. Malta 2007. (Peter Skerry)

SM30 (AML30H) seen in Eltham in April 1973, having left the Well Hall Station stand on its way as BX3 on route 132 to its home garage at Bexleyheath. (Malcolm K Allan)

Hants & Sussex AML30H, ex LT. (M Audsley)

SM33 (FBY662, AML33H), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

Former LT SM34 (FBY763, AML34H). Malta 2007. (Peter Skerry)

Malta DBY367 (ex SM36 AML36H) is currently for sale. Malta 2007. (Peter Skerry)

SM38 (AML38H) from Poplar Garage as PR2 on route 108 approaching its southern terminus at Southend Crescent Eltham while passing beneath the railway lines at Well Hall Station on April 7th 1973. Note the old British Railways sign just visible on the bridge. (Malcolm K Allan)

SM43 (AML43H) from Poplar Garage as PR11 on route 108 in April 1973. SMs had taken over from converted Red Arrow Merlins a couple of months before this photo was taken. (Malcolm K Allan)

LT SM48 (AML48H) blocking the Uxbridge Road nicely at Southall (HW) garage, 25th June 1978. (Peter Trevor)

SMS78 at Catford in 1976. (John Law)

London Transport Video Bus SMD91 (AML91H) at LT's Chiswick Works Open Day on July 2nd 1983. SMD91 was converted at Stamford Hill Garage late 1982/early 1983 and was fitted with the front headlamp panel from DMS146 which was withdrawn at SF at the time. (Malcolm K Allan/Mick Overton)

SM107 (BPH107H) is seen on Hook Road in Epsom as LH35 on route 418 heading towards Kingston. May 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

Leatherhead's SM109 (BPH109H) exits Berrylands Road in Surbiton performing as LH38 on the infrequent 418A in June 1973 as it heads into its Kingston Station terminus. June 12th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

Hants & Sussex BPH114H, ex London Country. (M Audsley)

SM132 (BPH132H) works as WY22 on route 462 in Cobham Road Surbiton on a return journey to its home garage. June 12th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

Addlestone's SM133 (BPH133H) makes its way out of the grounds of St Peter's Hospital in Botleys Park, running as WY15 on one of the ex-RLH routes still working, but with one deck instead of two. August 13th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

SM143 (BPH143H) seen leaving Crawley Bus Station as CY31 on route 405B. July 4th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

SMS200 (DBY301, EGN200J), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

Inside SMS200 (DBY301, EGN200J), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

SMS202 (FBY641, EGN202J), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

SMS230 (EGN230J), 1970 AEC Swift 4MP2R1525/Park Royal B33D+34 in Hounslow High Street on November 8th 1972 as AV4 on peak hour route 203A to Ashford Station. (Malcolm K Allan)

This Malta AEC Swift in overall advertisement livery for Nescafe (DBY380) was originally SMS232, EGN 232J. (Peter Relf)

1970 AEC Swift 4MP2R/Park Royal EBY525 (ex-LT SMS237, EGN237J) has returned to service in Malta after a few years in store. Malta, August 5th 2008. (Peter Skerry)

SMS238 (FBY776, EGN238J), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

Former LT SMS243 (FBY642, EGN243J). Malta 2007. (Peter Skerry)

Malta Swift DBY305, ex LT SMS244. (Ray Dowse)

SMS247 (EBY541, EGN247J), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

Former LT SMS247 (EBY541, EGN247J). Malta 2007. (Peter Skerry)

Former LT SMS258 (FBY744, EGN258J). Malta 2007. (Peter Skerry)

1970 AEC Swift/Park Royal GVH132 of the Maltese Ministry of Education, ex LT SMS260, EGN260J. Malta, November 2006. (Peter Skerry)

Malta Swift EBY564, ex LT SMS268. (Ray Dowse)

Malta EBY564, former SMS268 (EGN268J) with Park Royal Body. (Peter Skerry)

1970 AEC Swift/Park Royal EBY623, former LT SMS274 (EGN274J), seen at John Galea’s Yard in St. Paul’s Bay awaiting complete body refurbishment. Malta 2007. (Peter Skerry)

SMS275 (FBY756, EGN275J), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

Former LT SMS275 (FBY756, EGN275J). Malta 2007. (Peter Skerry)

Malta Swift EBY589, ex LT SMS292. (Ray Dowse)

SMS310 (EGN310J), 1971 AEC Swift 4MP2R1685/Park Royal B33D+34 from Thornton Heath garage seen on March 11th 1973 as it pulls away from the compulsory stop in Waddon Way at 'Croydon Airport', running as TH2 on Saturday-only route 115A. (Malcolm K Allan)

SMS329 (DBY389, EGN329J), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

DBY389, 1971 AEC Swift/Park Royal ex LT SMS329, EGN329J. Malta 2006. (Peter Skerry)

SMS337 (GVH137, EGN337J), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

1971 AEC Swift/Park Royal GVH137 of the Maltese Ministry of Education, ex LT SMS337, EGN337J. Malta, November 2006. (Peter Skerry)

1971 AEC Swift/Park Royal GVH141 of the Maltese Ministry of Education, ex LT SMS356, EGN356J. Malta, November 2006. (Peter Skerry)

SMS369 (EGN369J) at Wisley Airfield on April 3rd 2005. (Damon Cross)

Cobham's AEC Swift SMS369 (EGN369J) seen on April 2nd 2006. (Damon Cross)

LT SMS369 (EGN369J) seen at Cobham Bus Museum on June 17th 2007. (Chris Stanley) 1 of 2

LT SMS369 (EGN369J) seen at Cobham Bus Museum on June 17th 2007. (Chris Stanley) 2 of 2

SMS381 (EGN381J), 1971 AEC Swift 4MP2R1869/Park Royal B33D+34 from Hounslow Garage laying over on November 11th 1972 in Park Road Hanworth before its next run as AV38 on route 111. (Malcolm K Allan)

SMS411 (EGN411J), 1971 4MP2R1909/Park Royal B33D+34, seen on September 5th 1972 at the first stop in North Street Romford by Parkside Avenue, running as RD123 on route 252. (Malcolm K Allan)

SMS422 (EGN422J), 1971 AEC Swift 4MP2R21029/MCW B33D+34 from Hornchurch Garage on the 248A at Upminster Station car park. (Malcolm K Allan)

Addlestone's SM471 (DPD471J) on route 462B with nondescript blind simply stating 'Walton' and no indication as to why this route differs from parent route 462, it's running as WY18 on the Brooklands Road near Weybridge Station. August 13th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

SM475 (DPD475J) awaits time at Berkhamsted Station for the invigorating run down towards Windsor as MA7 on route 353 in March 1972. The combination of Lincoln Green and Canary Yellow relief band, inherited from London Transport days, always seemed to suit most of London Country's vehicles. (Malcolm K Allan)

Amersham's allocation on route 362 is represented by SM476 (DPD476J) seen pulling away from the stop on Amersham Road in Hazlemere running as MA3 on a through journey down into High Wycombe. June 13th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

SM479 (DPD479J) running as HE45 on route 362 seen at Chesham Broadway's Park Corner Roundabout heading to its terminus nearby. June 13th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

Chelsham's SM484 (DPD484J) passing its home garage on a journey around the Surrey lanes on route 464 as CM25. CM's location was officially in Warlingham and this is the main Limpsfield Road. May 26th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

Swanley's SM490 (DPD490J) pulling away from the stop in Summerhouse Drive in Joydens Wood on irregular journey on route 401A. June 29th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

Dunton Green's SM500 (DPD500J) on the London Road in Tonbridge performing a journey on route 483. August 14th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

Swanley's SM503 (DPD503J) is seen in the Leyton Cross area of Dartford Heath on Oakfield Lane running as SJ9 on route 423. June 29th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

Passing substantial 1930s suburban homes boasting 'rooms with a view', here is a North Downs photo of one of Chelsham's more hilly routes. SM511 (DPD511J) as CM24 on route 453 plies Westhall Road in Upper Warlingham roughly halfway between Caterham 'Valley' and its home garage. March 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

Chelsham's SM512 (DPD512J) pauses outside its home garage in Limpsfield Road Warlingham running as CM22 on route 403A. May 26th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

London Country SM514 at a Biggin Hill airshow in the late 'seventies. (NF)

SMS572 (EBY534, EGN572J), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

SMS603 (EBY633, EGN603J), Malta 2007. (Jeff Lloyd)

1971 AEC Swift 4MP2R/MCW EBY633 (ex-LT SMS603, EGN603J) sporting a new paint job, at the front at least. Malta, August 5th 2008. (Peter Skerry)

SMS620 (EGN620J), 1971 AEC Swift 4MP2R31086/MCW B33D+34, one of Southall Garage's original intake for the 92 & 208, seen on route 195 in South Road, Southall. (Jeff Lloyd collection)

SMS675 (EGN675J), 1971 AEC Swift 4MP2R31125/MCW B33D+34 from Hounslow Garage on the A1 Airport Express. (Jeff Lloyd collection)

SMS688 (EGN688J), 1971 AEC Swift 4MP2R31147/MCW B33D+34 in Palmerston Road, Buckhurst Hill, running from Loughton Garage as L71 on route 167 on May 17th 1973. (Malcolm K Allan)

SMS793 (JGF793K), 1971 AEC Swift 4MP2R51271/MCW B33D+34, allocated to Romford North Street garage for the 103 route. (Jeff Lloyd collection)

Former London AEC Swift (FBY723, JGF803K) in the later style of bus livery with the "split" red band. Porta Reale, Valletta, Malta, 25/4/02. (Photo © Peter Relf)