1952 AEC Regal IV (Kalamunda 17)  

History

A Significant bus in the BPSWA collection, K17 is the only bus from the Kalamunda Bus Service (KBS) known to survive today and claimed to be the first under floor engine bus in Western Australia. The chassis was displayed at the 1951 Perth Royal Show. The AEC Regal Mark IV 9821E is an under floor engine version of the venerable Regal III. The AEC 9.6 litre engine is mounted horizontally beneath the floor and front axle is set back to enable the front door to be fitted to the left of the driver, thus making one person operation easier. Kalamunda 17 entered service on 14th March 1952 and passed to the Metropolitan Transport Trust (MTT) on 7th December 1958, becoming MTT fleet No. 201 when KBS was taken over by the MTT. It was withdrawn from MTT service on 1st November 1977 and purchased by Stuart Kostera, grandson of the original proprietor of KBS. Stuart repainted No.17 back into KBS livery and generously donated it to BPSWA on the 14th December, 2009. 
In 1959 the MTT rationalised the old Kalamunda East Belmont route to combine it with the previous Beam Transport Ltd., South Belmont route. The East Belmont route was Kalamunda’s most heavily patronised route as was Beam’s South Belmont service. At that time 17/201 was transferred to Redcliffe depot and of all the under floor engine buses of that era, so many years ago, 17 had the heaviest work load of all, having to negotiate either the climb up Lesmurdie or the Maida Vale hills, numerous times a day over many years.# (C Davison).

Chassis

• Manufacturer: ​AEC Ltd, Southall, Middlesex, England 
• Model/number Regal Mark IV 9821E 290
• Type: Full Front, single door
• Engine; AEC A219 six cylinder diesel 9.6 litre 125 bhp @ 1800rpm horizontally mid-mounted under floor.
• Transmission: Wilson four-speed semi automatic pre-select, air actuation, epicyclic gearbox. Worm drive differential.
• Brakes: Air operated drums
• Suspension: Leaf Spring

Body Detail

• Manufacture: Boltons Pty, Ltd, West Perth, W.A.
• Construction: Steel Frame, zinc anneal steel panelling
• Seating: 45 adults (B45F configuration) Note: seated 48 adults when new.

Dimensions

• Length: 34’ 6” (10.52m) approx. 
• Width: 8’ 0” (2.5m)
• Height: 10’ 3” (3.12m)
• Wheelbase: 17’6” (5.33m) approx.
• Unladen weight: 8 tons 4cwt approx. 

Photo Gallery

See more History of K17 in Pictures

Kalamunda 17 has been having few problems lately, and the latest is a leak in the rear offside 'bellows' seal.  Here member, Glen Boorn assisted by Roger Goring is reassembling the axle and brake housing.  Once completed the vehicle will be able to return to 'active duties'.
Kalamunda 17 is a rare and valued member of the active heritage bus fleet, so is used sparingly, with occasional assignment to the Explorer Tours on Mondays. 
Hopefully, it will be some time before further heavy maintenance will be required. 

Heritage Display

Kalamunda 17 is to be located in Revolutions from the end of Heritage month in 2017 until the end of the school year and will be used in the educational programmes for primary school children. Rather than put the bus up on jacks for this long  period (to avoid flat spots on tyres), the bus will be used around the Park every couple of months. The educational programme using the Austin school bus is proving to be particularly effective with grades 2 and 3 children. 

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