History:
The RT is surely one of the best know types of London bus with a look that is timeless as well as being a design classic. RT’s have featured in films, such as ‘Summer Holiday’ or James Bonds ‘Live and Let Die’ all adding to the familiarity of the type.

The first RT took to the road in service weeks before the start of World War II and hence became the only true Pre War RT, however with the other 150 of this batch entering service throughout the next two years before hostilities ceased production this first 150 are universally all known as the Pre War batch.

Following the end of the war it had been decided that the RT would form the majority of London double deck fleet and so started one of the great fleet replacements as war weary types such as the LT and ST were replaced as fast as possible. By 1948 RT’s were entering service in a steady stream, there were however numerous delays and shortages caused by the lack of parts and skilled workers this close to the end of hostilities. Body production was quicker than chassis leading to some new RT bodies being mounted onto STL chassis, thus making the short lived SRT class, (of which our own RT4421 is one, formerly SRT 119). To also help production non standard body builders were used in addition to Park Royal and Weymann, Saunders and Cravens also built a few hundred examples see RT1431

By 1955 bus use had dramatically declined and LT had more buses than it was ever going to need, so the first non standard types, the Cravens, were withdrawn. Further withdrawals continued as the new RM class started to appear in the late 1950’s. However the RT was a survivor and following its hey day where nearly 7,000 were in service they took a long time to replace. The last one (RT624) ran on the East London route 62 in April 1979 bringing to an end 40 years of operation of this type, a record many thought would never be beaten. However its successor the RM has now achieved this, its true to say that when people are asked to draw or describe a London bus it is generally one of these two types people will think off, such is the iconic regard they achieved however with the RT having been built in such austere times and having operated through such harsh conditions its longevity is a credit to its type.

Vehicle Allocation History:
Body 3405 (as new) placed on chassis of STL2534, which became SRT119 (FJJ 694) from 18/11/49. SRT119 officially deleted from stock 27/1/54.

RT4421 (3405)
18 January 1954 re-assembled as RT4421 to CSu
February 1954 CSu.U
October 1956 U.NX
November 1956 NX.WY
March 1957 WY.WYu
May 1957 WYu.CY
June 1957 CY.NXu
February 1958 NXu.PB.o/h

RT4421 (6151)
February 1958 o/h.PM
March 1962 PM.o/h

RT4421 (2680 - roofbox)
March 1962 o/h.TC
November 1965 TC.o/h

RT4421 (8960)
November 1965 o/h.AM
September 1970 repainted at Aldenham
September 1970 returned to BW
October 1972 BW.TB
November 1972 TB.TBu
February 1973 TBu.TB
September 1973 TB.TBu
November 1973 TBu.TB
January 1975 TB.TBu
February 1975 TBu.TB
January 1976 TB.TBu
April 1976 TBu.TB
5 May 1976 TB.BXu
22 June 1976 BXu.BXt (Hackney trainer)
28 March 1978 BXt.BXtu
June 1978 BXtu.Qtu (for repair)
21 July 1978 Qtu.BXt (Private trainer, ex Hackney)
28 June 1979 BXt.BXw [photo]
29 June 1979 Wombwell Diesels, Wombwell (dealer) [photo]
August 1979 Mr P W Holt (c/o Boys Brigade), Bexleyheath
May 1980 Mr P W Holt, Bexleyheath (preserved (kept at Woolwich Transport Museum)
May 1981 Mr Andrews, Plumstead (preserved)
by June 1984 Mr Broad, Bicknacre (preserved)
by July 1986 Mr A Boag, North Grays (preserved)
by August 2000 Mr C Bateson, Staines (preserved) - kept at WD
by December 2001 Ensign, Rainham (preserved) [photo]

Technical Specifications:

Date of first registration: 11 February 1954
Chassis: AEC Regent III
Chassis number: tbc
Engine: tbc
Fuel: Diesel
Chassis/Body Code: tbc
Body: tbc
Lengh: 26’
Seating: 56 seats, 26 downstairs & 30 upstairs