Aaronw

Thanks, so '56. I did find a photo that claims to be a '56 IH in the dark green, and another photo of a Chevy 4400 flatbed in the light green that appears to be a 1956 based on the hood and side emblems (also a NAPCO badge), although possibly the same truck with the pumper unit removed. They were designed to allow relatively easy conversion between a flatbed truck and fire engine as needed. I think it is fairly safe to say the change in paint happened at some point in 1956.

I'm thinking small, I'd be happy to see them keep going with the new Ford trucks, 67-68, 70, 72, a flare side bed, 4x4 etc. I'm not really big on 1950s cars but I'd get one of these.

I've seen similar threads on other modeling sites as well. Seems to be little interest this year.

I had not seen that one, but it actually does help with another detail, the door markings which I believe changed in 1959. Even if it is a '59 instead of a '58 it would still show that they were in transition since other '59s show the later markings. These smaller changes were usually not immediate as the stock of old material was often used up. Thanks

It is weird I have a couple hundred vintage photos of USFS vehicles including dozens on either side of these three years, but I only have two period photos of vehicles from 1955-57, this one, and a Chevy flatbed (a side view so less helpful than the one I posted). Based on photos I know the change occurred after 1954 and no later than 1957, just looking for that elusive photo of a 1955 or 56 to find the exact year. I don't trust restorations for stuff like this, there are a few that have been really well done but most have minor to major accuracy issues. I'm pretty sure I know the '55 Panel truck you mentioned, not the most accurate restoration / clone out there... Thanks

I forgot about the grill. To further complicate things, I'm actually looking at a photo of a larger Chevy truck, a 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 ton which has an entirely different grill... Maybe this will be easier, can anyone identify the year of this truck? The US Forest Service switched from dark green to light green in the late 1950s. This is the oldest original truck (I'm not trusting modern restorations) that I've been able to find in the light green paint scheme. I have photos of 1954 / 1st series 55 Chevrolet trucks in the dark green paint scheme. Clearly the switch was made between 1955 and 1957, just trying to nail down the year. The photo says it was taken July 4th 1959 at a parade, so the truck is quite new in the photo and most likely delivered in that color. Photo is from USFS achieves, edited to better view the truck.

Are there any readily identifiable features that would allow one to identify the specific year of a 1955-57 Chevrolet truck from a photo? If so what are they? Thanks

Don't forget about the Audi based, Brazilian built VW Gol better known in the US as the VW Fox (for a few short years in the late 1980s).

Ford Country Squires, Volvo 145 / 245 wagons and a Type 2 VW bus would let me build all the usual vehicles we rode in on school field trips as a child (I grew up in the pre-minivan world).

Very cool, I think scratch building the bed sides is a good choice after trying to do the same with the kit sides. I do have one bit of possibly bad news for you though, I don't think the bed sides are actually taller, at least they don't appear to be on the 1948-52 trucks. I was under the same impression but found the bed height appears to be the same as the 1/2 ton. The whole bed sits about 2" higher due to the trucks ride height which makes it appear in many drawings to be taller if because they measure from the ground to bed rail. Looking closer I found the bed floor was also higher by the same amount.

Ok so it has been a while since I've been able to get at this one. Not happy with how the bed was coming along, there is just too much difference between the 6.5foot 1/2 ton bed and the 8 foot 3/4 ton bed. I'll try that one again, when I can plan it out from the start. Several western fire apparatus builders offered tool bins on their vehicles, like on this 1946 Dodge Van Pelt. I decided to go that route instead. I trimmed off the bed sides and built a couple of bins from sheet and strip styrene. I also extended the running boards to match the longer bed.

I don't really know, but if I sold everything on ebay and got average fair prices for it all, I could probably buy a decent used car.

Cozad has drawings on their site. Go to the specific trailer and they have photos, 3 view drawings and a list of specifications / dimensions. http://www.cozadtrailers.com/en/trailers/

We have a room we just use for storage, my wife refers to it as "The hobby shop". It does have full length shelves filled with kits on either side but it is far from a room filled with models... so obviously I need to get more.

Pretty much anybody that built fire apparatus between 1957 and 1990 built at least one on the Ford C. Ford Cs were used for everything, crash trucks, pumpers, rescues, ladders, snorkels yada yada yada.

Well that is a legitimate complaint for IH in general, they tend to be basic working trucks. I don't even recall seeing factory chrome on an IH before the 2002 models came out with their chrome grills. As I like working trucks, no chrome means less parts I have to soak in the purple stuff.

I'd love to see these again. I was able to get one of each several years ago for $75 each which at the time was a decent price, they typically sell for much more than that when you can even find them. Not sure why they wouldn't have sold well, the 1-1 were very common trucks, and they work well for medium or heavy duty truck projects. Models by Dave offers a hood to convert the S-2575 into one of the lighter weight S-1600 to S-1900 trucks. One thing for sure the molds sitting in a warehouse isn't going to make Round 2 any money.

I could be happy with this

Also the Russian UAZ. In the late 90s there was an attempt to import these to the US, but they never made it. They were only going to cost around $10,000 when a base model 2wd Toyota Tacoma was starting at $15,000.

I think it is a shame Toyota decided not to import their FJ70 to us.

I'm sorry that someone died, but a bad part of me is thinking Domo Arigato Mr Roboto and laughing.

Well they used a '75 LTD wagon at one point, what's a couple years off. Based on the comments there is some debate on the year. http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_78061-Ford-LTD-Wagon-1975.html

I think there is some potential in the Bluesmobile, you've got interest from movie buffs and collectors, cop car builders and both of the guys who like to build factory stock 4 doors ( ) The Family Truckster has much narrower appeal, but maybe it could be done as a 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire wagon with the optional funky bits to do a truckster. Take it a bit further and maybe there is the option of sharing some of the tooling with a 1979 LTD sedan? (again with interest from the cop car builders).

Not that I am aware of, I'm guessing that is a modified late model FJ70. We didn't get those in the US so it is a Landcruiser I know little about. It has was the replacement for the FJ40 so shares some features, but you will have a lot of work to convert it. The FJ40 always had round headlights so the later style headlights will be an issue. The FJ80 (the 2 Tamiya kits linked to) is a completely different vehicle, so not much use for a conversion.

The bed is different between 1/2 ton and larger, not only longer, but wider. I found this out when building a 1950 F3, the bed is 48" wide on the 1/2 ton, 54" wide on the 8ft bed. The wheel wells protrude 3" into the bed sides as well, so it is not simply lengthening and widening, you have to deal with the inner wheel well. It appears to be taller as well, but I don't believe that is actually from taller bedsides, it appears to be just due to the truck riding a little higher which puts the top of the bed a little higher. Also 16" wheels on the 1/2 ton, 17" or 18" split rims on the 3/4 and 1 ton. There are some diagrams in this thread from Ford Truck Enthusiasts. I've found that site to be very helpful for finding info on old Ford trucks, even if you just lurk. http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1265202-looking-for-tonner-and-bigger-diagrams.html