Aaronw

I'm not sure how seriously you are taking the eyesight issue vs using it as an ice breaker to talk about large scale kits. I've seen this come up with other genres and scales. Scale and fading eyesight really does not work. The larger the scale, the more components are broken into smaller groups for better detail resulting in more small parts, not bigger parts. The smallest parts in a 1/72 kit are not really smaller than the smallest parts in a detailed 1/8 scale kit (individual links in a motorcycle chain are pretty tiny).

I'm actually stealing the hood, grill and hood sides. Anyway gives me a few ideas, and also supports my thought that this isn't one of those kits sought after for the bits. Seems a pretty generic kit unless you are building a '37 Ford just like the box top. I was contemplating using the '37 or '38 grill from the Ford truck, just wasn't sure how that would work out. Googling images of '37 Fords doesn't turn up much, most of the customs being quite similar to the kit. It just doesn't seem to have anywhere near the variety of the early 30s Fords. Thanks I forgot about this one, now that gives me some ideas, I could probably scratch a hood and grill somewhat like that which would actually make an interesting contrast the my other project. That could work as well, I was also thinking maybe some sort of Mad Max thing.

I picked up this kit specifically for the hood to use on another project. I'm debating on what to do with the rest of the kit. It doesn't seem to offer much in the way of a stock build, and seems to be a very modern street rod style and not one loaded in optional parts. I assume the body changed between 36 and 37 so the body would not be useful to combine with the 36 Convertible. It doesn't seem to offer much trading potential and I hate cannibalizing a kit for just one or two bits, so looking for ideas. Maybe something in resin that could go on the chassis? I'm not a big hot rod builder but certainly willing to give that a shot if I had something to go on. My meager interest in that genre leans heavily towards the vintage end. I've got a fairly decent parts box of left overs so have a fair bit to work with. Thanks

While I was working at the cache they got a flatbed load of hose and foam in, wish I had been able to get a photo, it would have made a good load for a model truck. Unfortunately I was too busy at the time. I have to hand it to people who work full time in a warehouse, the individual tasks are not as physically demanding as fireline work, but the work is constant. As far as hose on a pallet, it varies by source, but the Northern California Cache puts 80 1 1/2" rolls of hose on a pallet (4 stacks of 20), or 104 rolls of 1" (4 stacks of 21 + a middle stack of 20). Some caches go with 100 of either size. The odd number of hose for 1" has to do with stacking when the hose is still in the factory boxes (2 rolls per box), 26 boxes stacks better than 25. I can try to get some photos of the various equipment on pallets if you want. Ice chests are a nice bulky item that get sent out a lot, and a huge number of items are in boxes for shipping.

Thanks, I'm on the mend and should be back up and around for next season. I thought people might be interested to see what else goes on, plus some of this stuff is great model building material.

A couple of dump trucks local ranches converted into water trucks

Water trucks galore, used for directly fighting the fire, watering dirt roads, hauling potable and grey water etc.

On the really large fires that burn all summer fire camp may become a small city Mobile Laundromat (sorry couldn't get a good shot of the trailer full of washers and dryers) Mobile chainsaw and small engine repair shop Mobile control tower for the helibase

When available local offices from the national forest or national park will be utilized for the misc administrative work, copy machines, fax machines, phone etc. Occasionally a local school will be rented if the fire occurs during the summer break. When these are not available mobile office trailers will be brought in. Here a bus has been converted, it is fully equipped with copy and fax machines as well as a satellite link.

and shower and other stuff...

People need to wash up to

Vehicles need repairs as well so most camps have one or more mobile mechanics available. Again, most is contracted but some agencies have their own.

Vehicles need fuel, so they bring out mobile gas stations Helicopters use lots of fuel Most fuel tenders are locally contracted, but some agencies do have their own fuel trucks like this one from the Kern County Fire Department.

Need to feed people who are often in very remote locations The California Department of Forestry has their own camp kitchens But most are contracted, some specifically for fires, many also provide services to large events and movie sets. As major restaurant suppliers US Foods and Sysco trailers are a very common sight in fire camps near the food units. It is not always so formal, sometimes the food comes out of a bucket and you just pull up a rock.

Many forests and national parks have their own much smaller caches and trailers to deal with small to medium size fires.

The agency fleet is often overwhelmed with orders so contracted transport equipment is also used. Some of it is common rental equipment or transportation companies. Some have regular contracts and have their own trucks set aside for the work. Expeditor is a company that provides all kinds of services to support wildland fires. They provide buses for moving fire crews as well. Many fire agencies also have their own trucks for moving supplies, stake sides are typical.

Obviously you need trucks to move all this stuff. To save time these 28 foot trailers are pre-loaded with all the basic items a developing fire camp may need. Eight to 10 of these trailers are pre-positioned around Northern California to reduce travel times.

I've spent the summer on light duty so instead of being out on the fire lines with my crew, I've been on the other side of things providing logistical support for the many large wildland fires this year. Nearly everybody is familiar with fire engines, but I thought there might be some interest in seeing what the thousands of people behind the scenes do, and the misc equipment used to support these operations. Here I have traded in my engine in for a fork lift. The Federal Government operates the National Cache System, 11 strategically located warehouses around the US. Two are run by the Bureau of Land Management (Idaho and Alaska), the other 9 are run by the US Forest Service. Some shots of the Northern California Fire Cache, as of October this cache alone has moved more than 38 million dollars of equipment to the various fires around the state. Used hose is returned and a crew washes and tests it before retuning it to service. Each pallet is approximately 8000 - 10,000 feet of hose, this crew works 12+ hours a day 6 days a week. Similar crews refurbish other equipment.

California is not making it easy for the trucking industry, they are all but driving owner operators out of state. I'm curious if the law makers understand how goods are delivered.

All these oddball European cars are going to bankrupt me. It is a nice problem to have. It is not unheard of to find clear fuselage halves on aircraft kits with heavy glazing, so not really something new, although not common on car kits.

I primarily use it over acrylics, and my rattle cans are mainly limited to Krylon and Rustolium. Maybe it is less happy with some other paint types and I've been lucky not to use them. I always use it on the clear bits, makes the parts clearer and is nice insurance in case I get glue or paint somewhere it doesn't belong.

I don't know, I usually use black or grey but I'm going for an aluminum effect, not chrome.

I still have a tool box and work surface for mobile building, although I rarely use it for that purpose anymore. During my last move I added about a dozen new kits and got the new model room set up ASAP. All the new old house projects kept me busy for months after moving in, unpacking the stash took a few more but at least in theory I was able to dribble glue on plastic within 2 months of moving.

I've been using Future for 10 years and only had it crack if I'm impatient, I think it is due to applying it over paint that hasn't fully cured. I usually give it about a week before spraying over rattle can paint, maybe a day over acrylic. I've got a Paasche double action airbrush that I rarely use. I've thought about getting a simpler single action with the idea that simpler might equal trying to use it more often, but have always let the more airbrush savvy convince me that I don't need to... Maybe I will rethink that advice, looks like the H can be found for $30-40 so not a huge expense.

I now have a reason to get the Fujimi Toyota Prius Model