'55-56 Chevy 1-1/2 or 2 T truck kit for USFS Class 3 tanker build

[W Humble]

I've been building since about '55, and have driven Class A for a number of years, but never built a truck model.  I'm doing a version of our family White 3000 tilt-cab (as a flatbed rod-hauler) now, and have ambition to build a small truck which I drove in the '60s: a '55-56 Chevy 1-1/2 or 2 Ton flatbed that the US Forest Service typically converted into a Class 3 fire tanker.

I'd like to have some help in sourcing the parts (resin, etc) that would be helpful to re-create this very versatile fire truck, and wonder if anyone knows of any such model having been built?  I don't have any pics, but have the layout -- including the  fire-pump controls, which we truck operators had to memorize -- pretty well in mind.  Also, though it didn't have much in the way of decals, the 'official use only' and USFS shield would be a blessing to discover ready-made.

I also herded around a ''64 Dodge version of the same unit (larger tank) that would do to build, though the Chevy is closer to my heart!  That 265 didn't have much excess torque, but it would rev when the road improved, whereas the Dodge was a better lugger with the old 318!  Both got us to a lot of fires, which unlike now, we actually put out!  No motelling in 1964, we slept in the duff, or on the tanker!  

Old Wick

[Casey]

There is one easy to find '55 Chevy 2Ton scale model truck, but it's 1/43 scale:

 

 

[mikemodeler]

If you have your heart set on 1/25 scale, AMT has issued several 55-57 Chevy pickups that would be a good start for the cab and engine. You would have to scratchbuild the frame and body and find some wheels, which might not be that hard to find. 

[Atmobil]

Contact Aaronw on this forum: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/profile/66-aaronw/
He is in the USFS and may have decals to help you out.

As for trucks, the AMT 55-57 pickup kits (most recent reissue is just out http://www.modelroundup.com/product-p/amt-r2-1094.htm )
that could be used for the cab, I think the only difference is the wheelopenings wich is bigger on a 2 ton.
It also has a 265 V8 in it.
I bought a set of resin wheels on Ebay a couple of years ago that looks to be of the same type that was used on trucks like that. I think I bought them from Missing Link but not 100% sure as I don't see them having them now:
https://www.ebay.com/str/missinglinkresincastmodelcars
http://www.missinglinkrc.com/index.htm
You can see a picture of them here, they are mounted in the tires from Emhars Bedford truck kits and the frame is also the Bedford kit frame:
http://www.modelroundup.com/category-s/232.htm

Here you can also see a resin 65-67 Dodge that I bought from oldr-n-drt here on the forum: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/profile/10793-oldr-n-drt/
Contact him if you are interested in a kit of the Dodge (he also does singlecab)

As for frame and suspension, scratchbuilding or sourcing from another kit with similar dimensions.
Evergreen has stripstyrene in C-channel profiles in many dimensions or maybe the AMT Ford C-600 kit can be used as a donor for the frame.

[Casey]

Here's a link from your post in Gen Discussion:

 

[Chariots of Fire]

Modelhaus made a C60 Chevy truck kit in resin a few years ago.  You would have to check on e-bay or post a request here to get one as Modelhaus is no longer in business.  Here is a tanker I made from the casting.  Scale is 1/25

[Atmobil]

I got parts from the Monogram Tom Daniel S'cool bus:

I was thinking of maybe using the frontclip of that and grafting the wheelopenings from that on to either a AMT 60 or a Revell 64-66 pickup. I'm not sure if they are correct or not but I think they look close.

[Oldmopars]

Keep in mind that the grill opening of the C60 truck is taller than the C10-30. The grill would have the Chevrolet letters on top of the grill, where the C10-30 it is stamped in the grill. 

You would need to have 2 front ends, and graft them together to get the right grill opening. It can be done. 

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/150429/item/F7609  VS.

https://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/Details.cfm?VID=42187510&Year=1965&Make=Chevrolet&Model=C10