Oxford Diecast 76COM007

Commer Commando Skyways

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest

Manufacturer description

Skyways, which started operating a small civilian airline business in post-war Britain in 1946, went on to launch the first commercial coach-air transport operation in 1955. Having sold its airline interests, the new company Skyways Coach-Air Limited started a service which took passengers from Central London to Lympne in Kent and then by air from Lympne Airfield to Beauvais before another coach journey into central Paris.

Our latest release on the airport link Commer Commando bus is a reminder of the coach that was an integral part of this cross-Channel service. Decorated in the pale blue, white and red colour scheme of Skyways Coach-Air Limited and registered HUV 40, the interior seating and other internal detail is finished in pale grey. You will notice that this vehicle was used as a mobile exhibition bus for promotional purposes. The company had its headquarters in Lympne, from where it operated until it ceased trading in 1971.

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Commer Commando Skyways is a die‑cast model bearing the manufacturer part number 76COM007. The vehicle represents a British Railways Early Crest livery and depicts the coach used by Skyways Coach‑Air Limited on its cross‑Channel service.

Skyways began a civilian airline operation in Britain in 1946 and, in 1955, launched the first commercial coach‑air transport service, carrying passengers from Central London to Lympne in Kent, then by air from Lympne Airfield to Beauvais, followed by a coach to central Paris. The model shows the coach painted in Skyways Coach‑Air’s pale blue, white and red colour scheme, with registration HUV 40 and a pale‑grey interior finish. It was also employed as a mobile exhibition bus for promotional purposes. Skyways Coach‑Air was based at Lympne and operated until it ceased trading in 1971.