As a NJ volunteer firefighter, I'd love to see any new American fire truck kits from any era, WWII, Cold War or modern day, in styrene. The only ones I know of are the Lindberg kits, and the Trumpeter Ward le France. Unfortunately I think this is too small of a niche market within the modeling community!
Love these pictures though...very inspiring for a scratch build.
Here's one of my favorites, a '42 Ford F1:
And our '37 Ahrens Fox, restored:
Cheers,
Andrew
Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
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US WWII Fire Trucks
apalella
New Jersey, United States
Joined: November 11, 2012
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Posted: Wednesday, April 02, 2014 - 05:10 AM UTC
M4A1Sherman
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
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Posted: Thursday, April 03, 2014 - 07:46 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextHi, Mike! Are we EVER going to see a brand-new CAD & Slide-molded 1/35 US WC-54 Dodge Ambulance? You'd think that SOMEONE out there would produce such an important WWII vehicle- At the very least, a resin conversion for the SKYBOW/AFV CLUB kits..?
Good question - however the Dodge Ambulance was, for the most part used ONLY as an ambulance (other than the rare use as a paddywagon) so that doesn't give it a lot of broad general use applications. I would hope if a company tackled that one they would also do the heavy Signal Corps radio panel truck and the Dodge Carryall.
I admit, I too was thinking about using the Skybow kit to upgrade the old Peerless Max Dodge ambulance. But . . . (and here I go again,) other than the lack of an engine I just don't see that much that was wrong with the old Peerless kit. Maybe after market tires and definately a new set of pioneer tools but otherwise . . .
On my Peerless kit I did cut open the engine oil pan area on the bottom of the vehicle, improved the engine shape as seen from below and turn the frame rails back into "C" channels but other than that I was fairly happy with the old kit.
Four fully detail litters hanging in the back would be nice and maybe a new Medic figure set.
OK, if I am doing all that then what the heck, let's have an all new kit! YEAH!
Hi, Mike! I converted/kit-bashed an old TESTORS/ITALERI WC54 kit with a SKYBOW/AFV CLUB WC51. The biggest beef I have with the old TESTORS/ITALERI WC54 is that the details are a bit soft when compared to the AFV CLUB WC51.
My whole line of thought with this is: why do several manufacturers go ahead and release several different versions of the Opel Blitz Fire Trucks, yet ignore US auxiliary vehicles? Why is American equipment ALWAYS on the short end of the stick?
I AM SO SICK OF MODELLERS ANSWERING ME WITH: "Because GERMAN sells... That's A VERY LAME excuse. There are A LOT of US/ALLIED fans out there to justify producing more of "our" stuff than a half-dozen different kits of the same German fire apparatus...
What're they going to do with them? Build a dio of an Opel Blitz attacking an M4 by hosing it down with water? PLEASE!!!
Posted: Friday, April 04, 2014 - 10:33 AM UTC
Dennis
Your remarks are a common complaint among Allied plastic modelers. However for we few, we happy few, we US Motor Pool guys, the future is looking brighter!
Lots of Jeeps (Ford. Willys and Bantum), the Austin Tilly, the White Motors six ton truck, lots of Canadian CMP trucks, the Diamond T (straight truck, wrecker and ballast tractor versions), the Rogers trailer, Studebaker Deuce, two new GMC Deuce and a Halves (fuel truck and SWB), towed 37mm AT gun, M-6 & M103A1 Heavy Tanks and the British Tortise and US T-28 monster tanks, (did you ever think you would see THOSE in plastic?)
Lots of other Allied vehicles to hope for though:
I'd like to see Tamiya come out with a soft cab Dragon Wagon and HobbyBoss with a 7 1/2 Mack NO while they are in the mood. A 1 1/2 ton Chevy truck would be nice also in a semi-tractor version in a choice of 4 ton goods trailer or 400 gallon fuel trailer.
Of course a WWII Chevy Fire Truck would be awfully good but that would take all the fun out of planning my scratch build!
p.s. AND can we PLEASE get AFV Club to re-tool their 155mm and 8 inch guns with more detail and the proper WWII tires and limber so our war era M4 HST's would finally have something to pull!
AND can someone do a WWII Cat Dozer in plastic? What the heck?
My needs are simple!
Your remarks are a common complaint among Allied plastic modelers. However for we few, we happy few, we US Motor Pool guys, the future is looking brighter!
Lots of Jeeps (Ford. Willys and Bantum), the Austin Tilly, the White Motors six ton truck, lots of Canadian CMP trucks, the Diamond T (straight truck, wrecker and ballast tractor versions), the Rogers trailer, Studebaker Deuce, two new GMC Deuce and a Halves (fuel truck and SWB), towed 37mm AT gun, M-6 & M103A1 Heavy Tanks and the British Tortise and US T-28 monster tanks, (did you ever think you would see THOSE in plastic?)
Lots of other Allied vehicles to hope for though:
I'd like to see Tamiya come out with a soft cab Dragon Wagon and HobbyBoss with a 7 1/2 Mack NO while they are in the mood. A 1 1/2 ton Chevy truck would be nice also in a semi-tractor version in a choice of 4 ton goods trailer or 400 gallon fuel trailer.
Of course a WWII Chevy Fire Truck would be awfully good but that would take all the fun out of planning my scratch build!
p.s. AND can we PLEASE get AFV Club to re-tool their 155mm and 8 inch guns with more detail and the proper WWII tires and limber so our war era M4 HST's would finally have something to pull!
AND can someone do a WWII Cat Dozer in plastic? What the heck?
My needs are simple!
M4A1Sherman
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
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Posted: Friday, April 04, 2014 - 11:15 PM UTC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi, Mike! Ditto on the AFV CLUB 155 and 8-Incher! Also on a 1/35 Mack NO 7 1/2 6x6... I must admit that I bought several resin MASTERS WWII Dolly (Limber) and Tire Backdate/Upgrade sets from RJ quite a few years ago. BEAUTIFULLY CAST, but just haven't built them yet. I also bought a MASTERS Resin Full Kit of their M4 HST before HOBBY BOSS came out with their M4 HSTs. I bought 2 of those, and the price for BOTH of those kits combined STILL didn't come to HALF of what I paid for the M4 HST from MASTERS!!!
I wonder how the new 1/35 CCKW 352 SWB from HOBBY BOSS (?) is going to stack up against the now "old" TAMIYA 6-by and the still older ITALERI/TESTORS kit? I haven't bought their CCKW 353 with the 40mm Bofors AA gun yet, have you? If you have, what's your take on it?
PS- Kind of off the subject, but I wish someone would do a 1/24-1/25 Horse-Drawn Steam Fire Engine such as an Amoskeag or a La France- All of that GREAT BRASS and or NICKLE Plating!!!
Quoted Text
Dennis
Your remarks are a common complaint among Allied plastic modelers. However for we few, we happy few, we US Motor Pool guys, the future is looking brighter!
Lots of Jeeps (Ford. Willys and Bantum), the Austin Tilly, the White Motors six ton truck, lots of Canadian CMP trucks, the Diamond T (straight truck, wrecker and ballast tractor versions), the Rogers trailer, Studebaker Deuce, two new GMC Deuce and a Halves (fuel truck and SWB), towed 37mm AT gun, M-6 & M103A1 Heavy Tanks and the British Tortise and US T-28 monster tanks, (did you ever think you would see THOSE in plastic?)
Lots of other Allied vehicles to hope for though:
I'd like to see Tamiya come out with a soft cab Dragon Wagon and HobbyBoss with a 7 1/2 Mack NO while they are in the mood. A 1 1/2 ton Chevy truck would be nice also in a semi-tractor version in a choice of 4 ton goods trailer or 400 gallon fuel trailer.
Of course a WWII Chevy Fire Truck would be awfully good but that would take all the fun out of planning my scratch build!
p.s. AND can we PLEASE get AFV Club to re-tool their 155mm and 8 inch guns with more detail and the proper WWII tires and limber so our war era M4 HST's would finally have something to pull!
AND can someone do a WWII Cat Dozer in plastic? What the heck?
My needs are simple!
Hi, Mike! Ditto on the AFV CLUB 155 and 8-Incher! Also on a 1/35 Mack NO 7 1/2 6x6... I must admit that I bought several resin MASTERS WWII Dolly (Limber) and Tire Backdate/Upgrade sets from RJ quite a few years ago. BEAUTIFULLY CAST, but just haven't built them yet. I also bought a MASTERS Resin Full Kit of their M4 HST before HOBBY BOSS came out with their M4 HSTs. I bought 2 of those, and the price for BOTH of those kits combined STILL didn't come to HALF of what I paid for the M4 HST from MASTERS!!!
I wonder how the new 1/35 CCKW 352 SWB from HOBBY BOSS (?) is going to stack up against the now "old" TAMIYA 6-by and the still older ITALERI/TESTORS kit? I haven't bought their CCKW 353 with the 40mm Bofors AA gun yet, have you? If you have, what's your take on it?
PS- Kind of off the subject, but I wish someone would do a 1/24-1/25 Horse-Drawn Steam Fire Engine such as an Amoskeag or a La France- All of that GREAT BRASS and or NICKLE Plating!!!
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2014 - 12:21 AM UTC
Have not bought the Bofors as yet but hear great things about it and it looks good on the reviews. I have been thinking that now that someone else has a modern tooling of the CCKW when are they going to come out with other variants?
It's usually only Tamiya that invests in new tooling, issues one kit, and then sits on the tooling for the next 50 years without doing anything with it!
It's usually only Tamiya that invests in new tooling, issues one kit, and then sits on the tooling for the next 50 years without doing anything with it!
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2014 - 12:43 AM UTC
If you go online to the Scale-Link, catalog Masters actually makes TWO different sets of replacement wheel sets for the 155mm and 8 inch guns!
The one set comes with the M1 Limber the other does not. However please note that the wheel mouldings in these two sets are TOTALLY DIFFERENT tread patterns and both are very usable!
In the attached photo the tires actually on the gun and the spare come in the Masters set without the limber. (I figured I didn't need the limber b/c the Mack did not require the use of the limber.) Then in my research I found that the Mack might encounter the need to move an implaced gun that still had the limber so they would attach it behind the gun and tow them both to the next location. So I bought the second set with the limber just to ad it to the display. The Masters Limber is excellent ! ! !
In the conversion set without the limber the wheels are cast with the center rims being separate whereas the set WITH the Limber has the wheel centers cast with the tire. I found it to be very handy to have these separate wheel centers. I used them to correct several vehicle problems (especially with my Mack NO) where the wheel centers where incorrect.
Also note the different sidewall tire patterns. It makes it more interesting to mix and match these tires of the same vehicles!
Set without the Limber is on the left. - - - - - - - - - - - - - The set with the limber is on the right
The one set comes with the M1 Limber the other does not. However please note that the wheel mouldings in these two sets are TOTALLY DIFFERENT tread patterns and both are very usable!
In the attached photo the tires actually on the gun and the spare come in the Masters set without the limber. (I figured I didn't need the limber b/c the Mack did not require the use of the limber.) Then in my research I found that the Mack might encounter the need to move an implaced gun that still had the limber so they would attach it behind the gun and tow them both to the next location. So I bought the second set with the limber just to ad it to the display. The Masters Limber is excellent ! ! !
In the conversion set without the limber the wheels are cast with the center rims being separate whereas the set WITH the Limber has the wheel centers cast with the tire. I found it to be very handy to have these separate wheel centers. I used them to correct several vehicle problems (especially with my Mack NO) where the wheel centers where incorrect.
Also note the different sidewall tire patterns. It makes it more interesting to mix and match these tires of the same vehicles!
Set without the Limber is on the left. - - - - - - - - - - - - - The set with the limber is on the right
Frenchy
Rhone, France
Joined: December 02, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2014 - 12:57 AM UTC
Quoted Text
AND can someone do a WWII Cat Dozer in plastic? What the heck?
Good things come to those who wait
http://www.mirror-models.com/135-US-Caterpillar-D7-Tractor.html
H.P.
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2014 - 01:24 AM UTC
Hot-Damn I'm a happy man ! ! !
Thanks Frenchy
Thanks Frenchy
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2014 - 01:26 AM UTC
I want to put one or two of these dozers on the back of my Dragon Wagon and maybe convert the DW to an open cab version.
Posted: Sunday, April 06, 2014 - 12:28 AM UTC
M4A1Sherman
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
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Posted: Wednesday, April 09, 2014 - 12:16 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextAND can someone do a WWII Cat Dozer in plastic? What the heck?
Good things come to those who wait
http://www.mirror-models.com/135-US-Caterpillar-D7-Tractor.html
H.P.
You probably missed it, but quite a few years ago, TRAXX released a "full resin kit" of a 1/35 WWII US Army M1 "Cat D-7" Dozer, w/outside blade. I bought one of these, (Yes, it was expensive) but it came with a few broken parts, so I've put it off for all those years. I may even get to it before I kick the bucket. I'm more inclined to buy the MIRROR MODELS "Cat", BUT NOT BEFORE READING THE BUILD REVIEWS...
M4A1Sherman
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
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Posted: Wednesday, April 09, 2014 - 12:37 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I want to put one or two of these dozers on the back of my Dragon Wagon and maybe convert the DW to an open cab version.
The new MERIT M19 Transporter would be a great Tractor/Trailer unit to put the D-7 on just as nicely... I built my TAMIYA "Dragon Wagon" transporting a TASCA M4A3E2 "Jumbo". This sits inside one of my display cabinets alongside my M1070/M1000 Tractor/Trailer, which is loaded up with a DRAGON M1A1 AIM (Iraq, 2003), and my TAMIYA FAMO w/Sd.Kfz.116 Anhaenger (trailer)- this ensemble has an s.IG.33 auf Fgst. Pz.Kpfw.III (Sfl.), (that's the Pz.III with the "Pillbox" on it) chained down on the trailer. How's that for contrast..?
I'll probably buy the new M19 Tank Transporter and chain down a couple of my spare AFV CLUB M5A1s on it...
Removed by original poster on 04/12/14 - 20:43:28 (GMT).
irondivision2
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: September 08, 2013
KitMaker: 63 posts
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Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 08:46 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Looks like someone else has gotten onboard with the idea of a model firetruck.
Photos found online - unfortunately no source was given but the truck was incorrectly identified as a Studebaker US6:
Anyone know the source on this kit?
Photos are from my website, the kit is a Class 135 Army Fire Truck in 1/48 scale. Working on the next version of this, the Class 325, with the help of Author Jim Davis who was a crewman on one of these in WW2.
irondivision2
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: September 08, 2013
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Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 08:48 AM UTC
[quote]As a NJ volunteer firefighter, I'd love to see any new American fire truck kits from any era, WWII, Cold War or modern day, in styrene. The only ones I know of are the Lindberg kits, and the Trumpeter Ward le France. Unfortunately I think this is too small of a niche market within the modeling community!
Love these pictures though...very inspiring for a scratch build.
Here's one of my favorites, a '42 Ford F1:
You would be amazed at how popular WW2 Army Firetrucks are in resin. My sales of the resin Class 135 in 48th scale are through the roof!
-Bob
Love these pictures though...very inspiring for a scratch build.
Here's one of my favorites, a '42 Ford F1:
You would be amazed at how popular WW2 Army Firetrucks are in resin. My sales of the resin Class 135 in 48th scale are through the roof!
-Bob
Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 08:58 AM UTC
I can believe it Bob. I wish you would do a conversion kit for 1/35th. I can cut down the Itareli Water Truck to make the enclosed Chevy ton and a halfway easy enough but the front mounted Darley water pump, the hose reels, multiple fire extinguishers and hose nozzles are hard to come by!
irondivision2
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: September 08, 2013
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Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 09:30 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I can believe it Bob. I wish you would do a conversion kit for 1/35th. I can cut down the Itareli Water Truck to make the enclosed Chevy ton and a halfway easy enough but the front mounted Darley water pump, the hose reels, multiple fire extinguishers and hose nozzles are hard to come by!
Well, since making those last posts in this thread I've been scouring the internet for decent 1/35 scale kits of the Chevy 7000 series 1.5ton trucks and haven't found doodley-squat! Hard to believe since these trucks were widely used. Scaling-up what I have in 48th scale for the fire truck parts isn't hard at all but ya can't build a barn without a roof! I'd have to do the whole enchilada. I've also been searching for a cheap Italeri Hardcab GMC in 35th scale to "butcher", Nada!
Just had a "Duh" moment, I can also look for an Italeri Water Tank Truck cheap. Back to Ebay!
Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 01:16 PM UTC
I just knew you would say you wanted to do the full kit instead of just a conversion. i was trying to look out for my wallet!
Oh well here goes! Italeri just reissued the CCKW water truck kit and besides, it has the most refined molding of all their hard cabs anyway. Also I think HobbyBoss is supposed to be doing a brand new hard cab 700 gal. fuel truck and a SWB deuce this year.
The Italeri frame is a much more correct starting point. It is more work to build but it goes together much like the real thing! I like it b/c it is made up of the correct separate "C" channel elements. The Tamiya frame is easier on the modeler but is cast as one great big hunk of square, blockish cheese.
Of course you should change to the banjo differentials rather than the split type. the splits are not wrong just very rare. Scale link markets a very nice resin conversion set of banjo differentials for the CCKW.
Finally I will say I probably have a bit of experience chopping the CCKW down to make the ton and a half and was going to do it again for the fire truck.
(Please see below.)
Oh well here goes! Italeri just reissued the CCKW water truck kit and besides, it has the most refined molding of all their hard cabs anyway. Also I think HobbyBoss is supposed to be doing a brand new hard cab 700 gal. fuel truck and a SWB deuce this year.
The Italeri frame is a much more correct starting point. It is more work to build but it goes together much like the real thing! I like it b/c it is made up of the correct separate "C" channel elements. The Tamiya frame is easier on the modeler but is cast as one great big hunk of square, blockish cheese.
Of course you should change to the banjo differentials rather than the split type. the splits are not wrong just very rare. Scale link markets a very nice resin conversion set of banjo differentials for the CCKW.
Finally I will say I probably have a bit of experience chopping the CCKW down to make the ton and a half and was going to do it again for the fire truck.
(Please see below.)
Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 01:22 PM UTC
You are looking here at the Italeri cab and hood on the Tamiya fenders and cut down chassis. Also I used the Tamiya load box shortened at each side rail division. Definitely use the Tamiya tires and wheels as what you would measure for your efforts. Tamiya has the best, I think most correct tires and wheels of all the CCKW model manufactures.
Finally the Tamiya gas tank and mud flaps have the greatest level of detail however the Italeri gas cap beats them all!
Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 02:48 PM UTC
Bob you might want to check out my Armorama thread on the CCKW at:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/203281&ord=&page=1
There might be something helpful there though I suspect you are way ahead of me.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/203281&ord=&page=1
There might be something helpful there though I suspect you are way ahead of me.
Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 03:27 PM UTC
Another Italeri cab on a Tamiya chassis:
Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 04:02 PM UTC
Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 04:06 PM UTC
irondivision2
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: September 08, 2013
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Posted: Sunday, April 13, 2014 - 12:54 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Bob you might want to check out my Armorama thread on the CCKW at:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/203281&ord=&page=1
There might be something helpful there though I suspect you are way ahead of me.
I've been following that CCKW thread with great interest. There's a few things that haven't been done yet with the Chevy/GMC series trucks. Might have to break my rule about not doing any more 35th scale but will think about that one.
Tiger_213
California, United States
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Posted: Monday, April 14, 2014 - 08:17 AM UTC
Not entierly relevant but theres a few Jeeps and 2 1/2s in this;
http://thebrigade.thechive.com/2014/04/13/some-times-the-fd-has-to-get-off-the-road-80-photos/
http://thebrigade.thechive.com/2014/04/13/some-times-the-fd-has-to-get-off-the-road-80-photos/