Jim B

Clem, I have hoseted several international exchange students in my time, so here is some advice. Your profile says that you are 17, so I'm assuming that you are still in high school. What you need to do is find an exchange program that works in Germany to bring students to the US. Rotary & CCI International are a couple that I know of right off the top of my head, but YOU have to start the process oin your end (passports, J-1 Visa, application, etc.). Once your visa & application are approved, the program will place you with a family here in the US, hopefully in a location close to your choosing. I have had students with CCI for the past few years, and they have very high standards. Good luck.

I don't know about a Loadstar, but AITM has a Fleetstar: http://www.aitruckmodels.com/pages/ck43inter2070a.html As for the 379, GW Trucks offers a nice hod conversion for the Italeri Peterbilt 378 in 1/24 scale, and P&P Resin offers (or did) a 1/25 379 cab kit.

I think we're going to have to get them directly from France.

Great looking ship!

Kevin, that thing is a beast! Very cool.

I kind of figured that's who you emailed. I doubt Universal Studios would be of any help, either. Speaking of The Scale Firehouse, what's up over there? It's been "down for maintenance" for like three weeks.

Dan, did you try the County of Los Angeles Fire Museum (http://www.clafma.org/)? They might have something.

Phil, what's wrong with the squad body?

Personally, I'm not interested in the Paris bus; although I will admit it's pretty cool. I'm more interested in the fire truck: http://www.heller.fr/en/maquettes/trucks/156-camion-pompiers-bonneville.html Of course, there's always the Niña, Pinta & Santa Maria!

Great looking Western Star.

The only place I've found modern fire fighters is here:http://stores.ebay.com/3-inches-under?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 Police Car Models does sell some "modern" police & sheriff figures:http://www.policecarmodels.com/figuresnew.html

That's pretty neat!

Yes, it's called a grill guard. If yiou want to do all that, this probably isn't the kit you want as the frame is all one piece (it's a snap kit, remember), and the cab & sleeper are one piece as well. For a C500, you'd probably be better of scratch building the frame (the C500 has straight frame rails; they don't have the dip in the front like the W900). I think you can get all of your other parts from AITM (http://www.aitruckmodels.com/), possible even the 12V71.

This is the Revell/Monogram Snap-Tite kit. It's a very good kit for a snap kit, it scales out well, and has a very nice Caterpiller 3406 engine that is quite detailed. The tires aren't very good, and it does lack brake details (but who needs brakes!) I have build several of these kits, and they do look very nice. The good part about them is because thay are relatively inexpensive, people generally don't feel too bad about "experimenting" with them. The other kit you are referencing is the Revell of Germany glue kit. That has a higher level of detail in it (brakes, better tires, etc.), and a Caterpiller 3408. It's a nice kit as well, but it's major drawback is that it's molded in red! As far as resin parts, what are you looking to do?

Nice looking wrecker.

Ah, I see. Good luck with your scratchbuilding projects.

Wow! That's a lot of work. Should look great when it's done.

Nice colors.

Wow! Those are huge! Is that you hugging the tire of the C500?

Looks good, Casey.

Dan, this might help for the squad: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-25-scale-model-resin-Emergency-Squad-51-deluxe-fire-truck-conversion-kit-/171009534492?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item27d0f66a1c#ht_764wt_679 He also has figures for Johnny & Roy. What's stopping me from doing the squad or the Ward-LaFrance are the decals. I'm assuming that you've seen Cargostar's Ward-LaFrance cab?

Very cool!

I'm with you on this one, Chuck. Definately a C500.

Great looking trucks. You do some mighty fine work.

Fantastic looking cab!