Production of buses ended soon after the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.

Older buses had to carry on but new ones became necessary. War workers had to be transported to and from the factories so demand rose considerably, made worse in cities devastated by bombing as people travelled each evening to sleep in areas considered safer. In addition buses had been destroyed in enemy air raids or, quite simply, were completely worn out.

With raw materials in demand for war production, the reintroduction of bus building in 1942 was very limited. Coachbuilders around the country produced bodies to a very basic specification dictated by the Ministry of Supply, intended for construction by semi-skilled and unskilled labour. Most were supplied with wood slatted seats.

Preservation
Unfortunately the quality of most wartime bodies was very poor due to the wood frames being unseasoned. Wartime bodies had to be scrapped or heavily rebuilt, mostly beyond recognition, after around five years. Midland Red sold HHA 26 in 1955 but it found a new owner. Hardly any wartime style bus bodies have survived nationally. The late Colin Hawketts saved HHA 26, starting its restoration and sourcing parts. He passed it to us a few years ago. The Guy chassis is basically sound and returning it to roadworthy condition should not pose any exceptional challenges. The body needs to be totally restored, including manufacturing the wooden slatted seats.