The Heyday of the Half Cab - Tapa dura

It is a sobering thought that it is now more than 30 years since the last British double-decker, with its front engine and half-cab, was delivered. A whole new generation of enthusiasts has grown up surrounded by Leyland Atlanteans, Daimler Fleetlines, Volvo Allsas, Leyland Nationals and the myriad of other modern designs and yet the mystique of the half-cab continues. Perhaps this is because half-cabs were produced for more than 70 years or because some 'golden age' co-incided with the half-cab era. Whatever the reason, the success of magazines like Classic Bus and earlier Ian Allan Publishing titles such as Heyday of the Classic Bus and Heyday of the Bus: The Postwar Years, has shown that nostalgia for the period remains constant. One of the most pertinent commentators on this period is Kevin McCormack. Through his earlier and hugely successful books on bus operations both in London and outside the Metropolitan area, he has established himself as one of the most popular writers on the subject. In his latest book he has delved into the collections of some very popular and some less well-known bus photographers of the half-cab era to put together a remarkable collection of previously unpublished material recalling the classic bus designs of the period up to 1970. Covering the length and breadth of Britain, the book shows the great variety of chassis and body types that could be recorded in the time before rigid standardization was the norm. Covering municipal, company and independent operators, the book represents an excellent snapshot of the bus industry in the era. However, in terms of the illustrations, it goes well beyond showing just the vehicle; also recorded is a fascinating snapshot of the streetscape of the time - now as much a part of history as the classic bus designs featured.

Kevin McCormack lives in Surrey. One of the most successful of Ian Allan Publishing's bus authors, he has contributed a number of highly successful books to the list including Heyday of the Bus: The Postwar Years, Streets of London, Glory Days: RT and Glory Days: Green Lines. His most recent publication is London Buses in Colour 1955-1969.