Leyland Victory II

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The Leyland Victory Mk2 is a front-engine double-decker bus chassis that was built by Leyland between 1978 and 1981. Like its competitor Dennis Jubilant, Volvo Ailsa B55, it was specifically designed for the contemporary operating environment at the time (hilly roads and one-person operation with a farebox) in Hong Kong. Single deck versions were built for other markets as a result.

The chassis was developed from the Guy Victory J, which was also chosen by Bus Bodies (South Africa) Limited for the development of its own double decker (four examples had been delivered to Kowloon Motor Bus for evaluation). It could be fitted with Gardner 6LXB engine and Voith D851 gearbox, but one Victory Mk2 for China Motor Bus had been experimentally fitted with SCG GB350 gearbox.

Almost all Leyland Victory Mk2s 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.

The orders[]

Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) introduced 540 Victory Mk2s between 1979 and 1983, including one air-conditioned coach which was unsuccessful and had the air-conditioning unit removed. These were known as the G class. China Motor Bus (CMB) purchased 167 Victory Mk2s (LV class) between 1979 and 1982. New Lantao Bus (NLB) also purchased nine between 1980 and 1983 as the LD class, with a further six buses acquired from KMB in later years. In 1993 NLB sold 10 of its Victory Mk2s to Citybus which took over 26 routes from CMB since 1 September 1993.

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All of NLB and Citybus's Victory Mk2s were withdrawn in mid-1990s. KMB gave up its last Victory Mk2 in early 1998. CMB operated Victory Mk2s until the takeover of its routes, as well as these buses, by New World First Bus on 1 September 1998, the ex-CMB Victory Mk2s were gradually replaced by new low-floor buses. The last Victory Mk2s were withdrawn after the last day of service on 31 August 2000.

Withdrawal/Preservation[]

Four of Citybus's Victory Mk2s became service vehicles after withdrawal. These were also ex-NLB units, where one was also exported to the UK after the end of its service life as a tow truck.

On the other hand, some withdrawn KMB/CMB Victory Mk2s were sold for use on rescue training with road tunnel operators, where one survived until 2020. One unit, former CMB LV36 was exported to Scotland, where it still runs with the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum and another, former CMB LV30 was repainted in NLB's 1990s livery as a heritage bus, which was revealed to the public in May 2023. In addition, LV2 and LV158 are also preserved by Bravo Transport, which owns Citybus/New World First Bus.

Accidents[]

The Leyland Victory Mk2 had 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 Mk2**
Date	Company	Route	Fleet Number	Accident type	Location
29 August 1980	CMB	4	LV11	rollover	Pok Fu Lam Road near Pok Fu Lam Tsuen
1 December 1980	KMB	70	G217	rollover	Junction between Nathan Road and Waterloo Road, Kowloon
23 August 1981	KMB	66M	G94	collision and fire	Tuen Mun Road near Sham Tseng
24 November 1981	KMB	45	G58	rollover	Junction between Fat Kwong Street and Chung Hau Street
25 January 1982	KMB	36M	Unknown	rollover	Junction between Castle Peak Road and Wo Yi Hop Road
17 August 1982	KMB	85	Unknown	rollover	Lion Rock Tunnel Road
12 October 1982	KMB	48	G442	rollover	Junction between Tai Wai Road and Lion Rock Tunnel Road
14 November 1982	KMB	60M	G440	rollover	Tuen Mun Road near Siu Lam
2 February 1985	KMB	82M	G208	rollover	Junction between Lion Rock Tunnel Road and Tai Chung Kiu Road
10 April 1985	KMB	72	G224	rollover	Tai Po Road near Caldecott Road
5 November 1986	KMB	61A	G470	rollover	Junction between Ming Kum Road and Shek Pai Tau Road, Tuen Mun
17 March 1990	CMB	94	LV21	rollover	Ap Lei Chau Bridge (Exit at Aberdeen side)
9 October 1991	KMB	43X	G493	rollover	Entrance of Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier bus terminus
25 July 1993	KMB	69M	G305	rollover	Junction between Hung Tin Road and Ping Ha Road

Trivia[]

Leyland Victory Mk2 was also known as "chicken" in Hong Kong because its soft suspension made it behave like chicken when accelerating or decelerating.

External Links[]

References[]

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zh-yue:利蘭勝利二型