The first (Hanlon) and last of the Mk1 Transit’s, followed the Bedford CF’s (CF’s on MOT registration), into service in 1978. This batch had ROR registrations. Most were double wheelbase, but there was a few single rear wheel examples (like ROR 232S at Portsmouth Main).
Moving forward, as previously mentioned, the XOT batch were next, but were all MkII’s. These was followed by the CCR registered batch on W plates. As before, they were all high-line body; except CCR336W, which was the first low-line example to enter service at Gosport. More examples of the low-line followed on HPO (X) plates and included HPO716X (Havant) HPO718X (Ports-Main) and HPO722X (Fareham). Similarly, more low-lines were delivered on GNH (X) plates.
We then saw a return to the hi-line body (but, this time with hinged cab doors) with the last Hanlon Transit’s arriving in 1983 with the POR batch (A702 & A704 POR at Ports/Main and A712 at Portsea).
However, there were three odd balls at the end of the POR registration fleet, in the form of 3 Mercedes 310’s (A718POR went to Winchester, A719POR Ports/Main and A720POR Southampton.
