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In the mailbox todat was a Ford C model Stake truck which will eventually become this: Went to the Jaxcon 2013 show today and came home with a Peerless Dodge WC-54 ambulance still in it's original shrink wrap for $10.00. Also picked up a Testors SH-3H 1/72 helo, and a Hasegawa 1/48 scale SH-3H helicopter including Belcher Bits Canadian CH101 Voodoo decals, Gulf War Modifications for the CH-124A, Sonobouy Launcher, and Short Sponsons all for $40.00! Couldn't pass that one up! Brought my 14 year old son who patiently walked around with my all day! Even got him a few kits too! A good time was had by all!

Here are some of my "off road" vehicles as well as one "on the drawing board: "Being refurbished at the moment" "On the drawing board" I have the diecast stripped, awaitng replacement of the current wheels and tires then fabrication of the hose body, brush plow and water monitor on the front of the unit.

I have been working on a replica of my original fire departments '79 brush truck. Started out with the Monster Truck, 4x4 chassis from a glue bomb, and a hood and grille generously donated by a fellow modeler. Been trying to make an accurate looking round headlight grille like this:\ but am not happy with the result. Dencon resin did offer a '79 grille, but it was not the round headlight type as shown above. Have been working on it off and on for a while. Lots of details as you can see, as well as slide in pump, tank, plumbing, dual hose reels and a master stream device mounted on the pedestal in the back bed. Hope to finally get it done one of these days...

Hey Ken, Thanks! David Neat has some great tutorials! I spent over an hour trying to locate someone here in the US that carries the Kapa Line board. It has a polyurethane as opposed to most of the other foam board that is polystyrene. I highly reccommend a peek at his tutorials! I even emailed the manufacturer - 3A Composites to see if they could connect me with a supplier. Still waiting for a reply...

Several months ago I viewed one of Dr. Cranky's videos where he was discussing clear coats. At the time, I didn't really think much of it, as I had my airbrushes, compressor, and dedicated paint area in which to apply my color and clear coats. After moving to an apartment in Central Florida, all of these items were in storage, and I asked myself "What is a guy to do"? So, I reviewed Dr. Cranky's video, and tried to see where I could find this stuff(DuPont™ A-7480S™ Acrylic Trim & Jamb Clear). http://www.johnsonautobodysupply.com/Acrylic-Trim-Jamb-Clear.html Seemed that it was rather ellusive to locate via mail order... Now, this was probably operator error on my part, as a recent trip to Carquest Auto Parts yielded the knowledge that they carried it. I also learned that they custom mix cans of spray paint only 5 minutes from my apartment. Well, after trying the DuPont 7480S, I have to say "YEAH"! This clear coat went on smoothly and dried crystal clear. Two medium coats looked great on the trial spoon on which I had tested different colored primers under a coat of Krylon Cherry Red to match a particular color for a series of projects that I am working on. Even better is that I applied the 7480S over some custom made decals and it worked flawlessly!!! Can't wait to get some of these projects finished to see the final results! Thanks again Dr. Cranky!

Greg, Thanks for the dehydrator suggestion. I have one in storage. Will have to dig it out on Monday when I am off. I did try out the duPont acrylic jamb clear coat that Dr. Cranky had mentioned on his video. What great stuff! I found it at Carquest Auto Parts. Thanks again!

Hi Tom, Didn't know about those Heller Citroens. I have always wanted to build some of the earlier ambulances, but the Johan Cadillac kits from that era just didn't look right. May have to check into these kits...

Hi Gang, I still have not been able to come up with a way to replicate the foundation block . Any suggestions? I am not married to any particular scale, so am open to different ideas. Thanks in advamce.

Dan, Is the canopy cab on the Neville Island piece different from our own Cargostar's resin canopy cab? His is very well done, and exceptionally priced. If you have any side view photos, you can use Tim Bongard's "Photogrametry" method to estimate your measurements. HTH.

Anyone know if the re-release that showed a white Ford C Stake body truck on a medium blue background has the additional frame rails? I just ordered one to build this: This truck served in the neighboring town from where I first ran as a firefighter.

JT, How much did you stretch the frame? Looking good!

Try Dave Panek at : wcltdnut@yahoo.com. His custom vacuum formed bars are AWESOME! He is reasonably priced, and great to deal with! You will not be dissappointed.

I am temporarily in an apartment. My airbrushes/compressor are in storage, and I don't have a spraybooth either. I guess that I will just have to be patient and wait for a day off when the humidity is lower...

Hi Guys, After moving to Florida recently, I am struugling with the issues of having to paint outside with rattle cans(humidity). While primer and flat paints are no problem, gloss paints are giving me fits! They keep coming out dull. Thus far, I have stuck to frames that are the color of the body. Not a big deal that they are not glossy, but attempting to polish them would be challenging because of the small surfaces, bolt heads, chaasis parts, etc. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. We are still about 6 months away from purchasing a home with the plan to add a dedicated, air conditioned, paint booth equipped spray area...

While it didn't all come today, in the past week or so, I have gotten a lot of stuff that I have wanted for a while. Finally had time to assemble and use it. First is the Proxxon rotary tool. Man, is it smooth AND quiet! I also purchased the drill stand, small parts vise, AND X-Y table. Their "instructions" or lack there of, leave a lot to be desired, but if they work anything like the rotary tool, I will be very happy!!! I also recently picked up a can of duPont acrylic door jamb clear coat as mentioned in Dr. Cranky's video. I can see why he is sooooo fond of it. It goes on like a dream. Tried it on some test spoons, have to wait for them to gas out. I am still working out the issues with painting in the humid Florida weather. Gloss paints come out dull. I am hopeful that once cured, that I can polish them to a nice shine...

Victor, Thanks so much for the measurements and "how to"! One way that I use to keep cuts straight and true is the old Dymo label tape. Place it down where you have drawn your vertical lines, and the strong adhesive keeps it in place while you scribe or saw your cut lines. On curved surfaces like the bed sides of this truck, I would probably use a few layers of the Dymo tape to build up an edge that the saw blade can't "jump"...

Victor, Great job! Do you happen to have the measurements of the bed slices that you cut and assembled to make the long bed? Also, any measurements of the crewcab door length from front to back? I had attempted a crew cab a while back, but it looked too long: Any help would be appreciated. BTW, my wife is from Hillsdale!

Richard, At the risk of ruining an expensive kit, do you recall if you used the enamel or lacquer? I would think that the enamel would be safer, but also softer over the chrome. Any suggestions? Thanks.

JT, What kind of trouble specifically? I remember that "the magazine that doesn't like to be mentioned" had a build review article when the kit was originally released that told of the "problem areas" and ways around them. I did have the article "somewhere"... I am hoping that it is stashed with the kits in storage... By the way, if you really don't want your other one, I am sure we could work something out...

Hi Guys, Any one who has build ups of the Beal tanker - PLEASE POST PHOTOS! I have two of these kits that will eventually become tractor drawn fire service tankers. Richard, Can you explain how you did your clear coat and what you used? I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Nice work! The 700 Series La France has many subtle differences than the 1000. I have been trying to adequately sculpt them into a classic 700 Series for some time. No one offers one in 1/25 or 1/24 scale, although Dave "Cargostar" Carey and Tom Coolidge are reportedly working on them. I can't wait til one becomes available, cause these have been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. My hometown ran a '53 into the early '70's.

Riley, You might want to try Goo Gone. It is less "hot" than the Goof Off and thus less likely to affect the underlying paint. As Chuck suggested, try it on an inconspicuous area first. Good luck!

I am sure if you contacted Daniel, he could give you all the info. I believe he now casts a 4 door cab as well.

Larry, Another great job by your brother! Thanks for sharing it! His projects look like they came pre-assembled at the factory - always so cleanly built! One suggestion that you might share with him for the future is to use flat elastic found in the sewing section or bias tape. These items have a scale texture and lay/bend flatter, more like 1:1 fire hose. Here is a link to a tutorial on this technique: http://www.scalefirehouse.com/watercooler/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=2430 Not taking anything away from his fine build, it is awesome!

Has anyone built one of these? I purchased one from Daniel when they first came out, but have yet to build mine. I was thinking of something like this: I would appreciate seeing anyones built up FL Series cab. Thanks.