Jim B

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!

Those are some nice K500.

Looking good!

I like it. Nice detailing. Where did you get those figures, & where are you getting your new ones?

That wrecked Astro or Titan looks interesting!

Thanks, Casey. I'll have to see if I can track that down. You're correct about the V225, it was the 3208 built bay Caterpiller for Ford. I wonder if anyone makes that red & yellow logo for the valve covers?