We have recently connected with Greg White of White’s Coaches, St Albans. His Dad, Roger White, bought her from Tricentrol in 1989 when he spotted the unusual location on the destination blind. Upon investigation he discovered it was indeed Paul McCartney’s 1972 Wings Tour Bus. Sadly Roger passed away in 2002 but his family say that if Roger hadn’t bought her she would have been scrapped. We owe Roger a debt of thanks for not only spotting the unusual destination blind but also for putting his hand in his pocket to rescue her from The Crusher!
Once she was safely in the care and custody of Roger White she was given a new lease of life in different guises with multiple makeovers. To paraphrase Greg, “Arriving in the gold colours of Tricentrol, Dad then had it painted into Wings colours, then had to change to the red and gold for film rally (in Cannes), then back again for the Beatles Amsterdam Convention.”
Greg tells us, “On the way down to Cannes in the south of France we came to a steep hill. The bus couldn’t climb it in second gear, she couldn’t climb it even in first gear so guess what Dad Roger had to do…. he had to turn the bus around and climb the hill in reverse gear!”
1989 – WNO 481 is photographed at The Southend Bus Rally in a beautiful red and white livery. The Cannes destination relates to The British Film Rally in Cannes that the bus featured at.
Roger White, wife Maureen, family and friends enjoying WNO 481 and all the fun of the bus rally.
Judging by the number of people around the bus she generated a lot of interest.
Click on the image to view The White Album
1992 – SOTHEBYS
The heritage value of WNO 481 is officially recognised by Sothebys for its Paul McCartney and Wings provenance.
Roger has WNO 481 restored and painted in Wings livery
17th May 1989 Roger has WNO 481 painted in red and gold to take part in the Cavalcade To Cannes to promote the British film industry there and to raise money for the Save The Children Fund
Whilst in the red and gold liver she also starred at The Southend Bus Rally.
Then back to the Wings livery for The Beatles Convention in Amsterdam
and Beatles Week in at The Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool
WNO 481 stars at Arsenal’s Highbury Ground at a Beatles Fan Event – Denny Laine with
“Beatle Brain Of Britain” Richard Porter.
Denny Laine with WNO 481 and “Beatle Brain Of Britain” Richard Porter at Arsenal’s Highbury Ground for a Beatles Fan Event.