WW1 Type B Omnibus Pidgeon Loft 1:72 Scale Kit

A small number of London omnibuses were converted to Motor Mobile Lofts and used to transport carrier pigeons in the First World War. With imperfections in the new means of communication at the time, such as the trench wireless telegraph, the birds were were a fast and effective way of delivering important messages from command headquarters directly to military units in combat areas. Each Motor Mobile Loft could transport 60 to 75 birds in specially installed coops on the upper deck, which could be folded flat for travel. The lower saloon contained stores for feed and an office. Carrier pigeons were used almost until the final days of the war, and with the B Type buses played a very important role which helped save the lives of many soldiers of the Entente.

Markings for two Pigeon Lofts: (1) 2229 ex-B2132, Western Front 1916; (2) 2257 ex-B2125, Western Front 1918
1:72 scale plastic model kit from Roden, can be built with or without paint, requires glue