Another Peterbilt Fire Engine

[explorer2770]

I just can't help myself when it comes to mating the Revell Peterbilt 359 with the Trumpeter ALF body, and this long rainy weekend didn't discourage me from the challenge. Of course, I can't just slap another Pete 359 together with the Trumpeter body, that would be too easy and wouldn't provide a challenge. So, I went a little "wild" with this one. I cut up the Revell snapper to make it a 119" SBFA, slapped some diamond plate on the back of the cab for protection, fabbed up a top mount pump housing inspired by Indianapolis FD's ALF top mounts, and heavily modified the Trumpeter body. So here's the start to Engine 4.

Here you can see the high-side compartments added on the curbside. These will be roll-up door compartents after I get some more groove sheeting.

The Trumpeter body was also modified by raising the hose bed. Unlike the my previous attempt (below) where I raised the hose bed floor and sacrificed the height of the hose bed to use the kit side walls, I changed my tactic this time. I raised the hose bed floor and also raised the height of the body side walls by building completely new pieces. I think this gives the body a better look, but I will still use the Trumpeter dunnage "cover" on the front.

It definitely needs putty work on the hood and other spots, but I'm fairly happy with my progress on a 3-day weekend build. The pump panel is a little bland right now since I need to get some impressions off of the Trumpeter ALF pump panel and finish all 11 control handles, and then I can add details to the side panels. Then comes the functional hydraulic ladder rack...oh what fun.

Maybe, just maybe, I can get some primer on it by the end of the year.

[kilrathy10]

That is just, too sweet....Very nice work....I'm gonna be watching this one, for sure.....These works of yours are awesome....

[Superpeterbilt]

Very cool.

[GLMFAA1]

memories of Seattle's KW's nice project

greg

[Tesla]

Really nice Brandon... like JT said, your builds are awesome!

[Jim B]

Interesting build. Looking forward to progress.

[mackinac359]

Reminds me of a Mount Horeb, Wisconsin configuration.

Tim

[Chariots of Fire]

Ahhh,. Just make sure it's RED!

[ghoodii]

Nice start....and I agree with Charlie......RED!!!!

[explorer2770]

Thanks guys. I was slightly inspired by my hometown neighboring volunteer department's Autocar/Grumman top mount pumper pictured below, so I'll have a hard time painting this anything other than white.

Of course, it was a Freight-shaker, I could get away with red...

[hooknladderno1]

Brandon,

Don't know how I missed this on your initial post. Wow! Love your engineering on this! Very clean building style. I like the top mount operator's panel. What did you use for your gauge bezels? Any updates? Thanks for sharing!

David

[explorer2770]

Sorry Dave, I haven't made much progress on this for a few months. I used black jump rings from the craft store for the gauges, I had a bag of 3, 5, and 7 mm rings and picked the best ones.

I did make a first attempt at working ladder rack, but I have had this and all my other models in a box since September, just haven't had the time to work on things. I'll have to dig out the ladder rack this weekend and take some pictures.

Edited October 29, 2014 by explorer2770