Firebuilder

Thanks Greg

Scott, You are correct sir, the rigs they are using are now Braun. Co. 1 is running a 2022 model ambulance . The colors have changed from yellow with a blue stripe (fire apparatus still yellow) to white with a blue and yellow stripe. I am trying to get this build as close as possible, but it won’t be 100%. With that, I put bondo on the hood to bump up the middle, matching a 2022 Ford E450. The grill is close but not accurate. I am working from photos of the actual rig. Still need to fine tune and finish sand, then prime again. Dom

I finally figured out the dashboard and interior. Just need a steering wheel and some details. It took several attempts to get it to look right.

Thank you.

Looking good!

Finally got the light bezels molded. The tape did the trick. Much cleaner resin cast part. There was minimal flash and clean up. Just need to file a bit in some places. Also made a mold for the grill. Was thinking of doing a black chrome for this truck instead of the traditional chrome.

The bottom half of the mold has been made, My thanks to Charlie for all of his guidance. Putting the tape on the back side of the bezel, I can see has already made a huge difference from the first mold attempt. Will cast the second half of the mold and then see what the final results are. I am following Charlie’s instruction step by step. Dom

Looks great, silicone is out of stock at micro mark , so I have to wait a bit To make the mold unless I can find it at another vendor

Awesome, very detailed right down two the spilled paint!

Well done, nice detailing!

I found a Ford F150 friction toy for $5.00 and the grille and headlight assemblies were much closer to what I need. So I cut it apart and modified the resin cab headlight openings. I also cut apart the rest of the toy and will put the fender flares , mirrors and wheel tubs to use on other projects. The scale for the toy says it is 1:28, but it matches the resin casting which is 1:24 perfectly. The rear bumper was also finished. Work goes on…….

Charlie, Amazing work! the bezels look great. I am waiting for the resin and mold silicone to arrive. Then I will get started on my bezels. Dom

This build has been sitting on the bench for awhile. So while waiting for items I ordered to complete another build I thought I would get some work done on this. The kit started off as an SSB resin 2005 E450. It was the best I could find for the build. I need it to be closer to a 2022 cab which is why the project stalled while I tried to figure out a more modern grill. Then the resin box I was going to modify, just wasn’t cutting it, so I decided to build from scratch. Dom

Thank you Charlie! I will definitely follow your instructions , I appreciate the time that you have taken to post step by step instructions. Your help has advanced this project, and also my skills. Dom

Than you!

Thank you!

Some work on the AMT pumper chassis has been started. I am using Moebius rims and tires . After building many of the AMT pumper kits, I started to replace the plastic front axel shafts with metal tubing and rod. I had way too many wheels break off because of the weak plastic axel shaft. I also replaced the rear axel with heavier rod. The original rims and axel are much thinner, The Moebius rims have a wider axel hole which needs the heavier axle. Started to mock up how the cab and box will sit on the chassis.

Thank you, as always your help and guidance is greatly appreciated.

Scott and Greg, after doing a little research, this kit is modeled after an approximate 1990 to 1999 wheeled coach ambulance. I did not find any roof pictures for the diamond plate. I do know that SSB was pretty accurate with most of the details though so it may have been there. Through out my career(now retired) in the fire/ems service, I have been in and driven many Horton/ VCI rigs and many other brands as well. Dom

Charlie, I learned that the hard way when I made the first mold and had to cut the bezels out when the mold halves became one solid piece. The second Attempt ,The mold worked but the results are not to promising for the bezels. I don’t know if I need to put less clay , or try to do it in a one piece mold. I am open to suggestions anyone has for molding the bezels. I did make a mold for some seats I will need and was very satisfied with the results. Dom

Nicely done! I like the colors and details

Finally got some primer on the cab, will leave it alone for a few days and then sand it and prime again. Started building the bumper. Work on the chassis needs to get done while waiting for primer to dry.

Charlie, Thank again for your guidance, I have the wood bucks made up, just need to pick up the brass at the hobby shop. I Will let you know how. It comes out once completed.

Steven, Thank you for the information, I will check out eBay and see what I can find. It may be a solution to the windshield problem. Dom

Nice build, great details!