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As many of you may know, I am replicating many of my hometown fire department's apparatus of years past. Our first "Emergency Unit", an early 1950's Ford stepvan carried ropes, hand tools, air packs, fuel , life jackets and other supplies for our marine units(boats). There are a few makers of diecast collectible vans and banks. I chose this True Value bank, as it was cheaper AND I planned to cut it up anyway to lengthen the body/frame. The bank came with horizontal side moldings that the 1:1 truck never had. So, the question was - how do I remove the moldings without damaging the sides of the van? Well, with less precision that a surgeon, My Proxxon rotary tool (think Dremel) made pretty quick work of it. Next came time to cut the body. Good old Dymo label tape was used to guide the hacksaw blade in cutting the roof and sides of the van. After that was accomplished, the body was stripped with aircraft stripper. It made quick work of the paint and was scrubbed with Dawn dish detergent after a thorough washing. The halves were thoroghly dried, The gap was bridged with brass sheet and secured with JB Weld. Seams were filled with Evergreen sheet and Perfect Plastic Putty. Still lots to do on this project. More photos to come! David

Jay, She's looking great! David

I have long been a believer in diecast conversion, especially where no subject exists in plastic or resin. Here is a Matchbox Collectables 1946 Dodge Power Wagon My hometown had a 1927 American La France pumper. As there were no kits available, I took a 1/24 Yat Ming diecast and modified it. This is early on in the project. A twin replica is being constructed as a gift to the fire company who celebrates their 125th anniversary this year! I have several more that I will post in separate threads... David

Nice start Jay! I had begun a similar project several years ago, but like many - set it aside. Look forward to following your build! David

Ray, What an awesome tutorial! I have long wanted to bend small diameter brass and aluminum tubing at 90 degree angles to make ambulance stretchers and brush guards. I didn't want to spend the big bucks on a tool that I wouldn't use often. I will be getting the components together and giving this a try! David

Amazing details! I admire your clean building style too! She's a beaut! David

Charlie - you make it look easy! Always appreciate your museum quality work AND your step-by-step photos of the progress! I too will be following this build! David

Alain, I was referring to my plans for what I would build behind the cab once it's available in resin. David

Russ, I have used it several times and LOVE it! Because it is not solvent based, it does not damage surrounding detail. I haven't had any adhesion problems. As it is NOT solvent based, NO noxious odors! It sands and feathers well - another great feature. Check out the videos on Youtube. A 40ml tube costs $7-8.00 at most hobby stores. Any LH?S that uses Horizon Hobby can get it or any of the Deluxe Materials products for you. I have no financial or material connection to this product. I am just a happy customer! David

Alain, I've been following this and have to tell you what a great job you've done! I can't wait til it's available as a casting! I can see a fire tanker or heavy rescue behind this cab! David

JT, She's looking great! I see that you are aware of Harbor Freight. They make a nice mini punch set that is a whole lot cheaper than the Waldron Models ones. While it won't do holes as small as the Waldron ones, it is great for uses such as you have here. http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-punch-and-die-set-95547.html I bought mine for $30.00 Don't remember if it was on sale, or they have raised the price recently... Very useful though. David

Hemi, Do you have a photo of what you're looking to build? Here is one that I scratbuilt. Frame for body was vuilt with 0.08 or .10 Evergreen stock. Kinda like stick building a house. All frames are then glued together and "skinned" with sheet plastic. David

Mike, If you have an airbrush, Alclad allows you to mix any of their colors together. Have fun and experiment! As Bill said above, cast aluminum can look different depending upon several factors. FYI, for replicating a rough "cast" finish, Alclad CAN be brushed on small areas where you don't need a smooth "chrome" like finish. David

SCI-FI, A lot of friends have been using a gentleman named Jeff from "Firebird Designs ". I am told his prices, quality, decals, and turn around time are great! Look forward to following your project! If you have any questions, we're all here to assist! David

Aaron, Thanks for sharing your photos! Greg, I always enjoy seeing your work! The Faun was quite an undertaking! David

SCI-FI, If you have never scratbuilt a rescue box before, I will share my method with you. I build a 3 dimensional "framework", similar to stick building a house. Build each "side" separately, making sure that each is true and square. Drawing a template to scale and a miter box with a stop or chop saw can help. I like to use .080 or .10 square Evergreen stock. Once you have created your "rectangular box, you can glue it all together. The wheelwells can be square, as you will cut the circular openings in the sheet plastic "skin" tthat you will apply over the frame. Wheel moldings can be built by applying strips of Evergreen stock that is tall than the thickness of the side frame and skin. By using stock that rises above the exterior "skin" of the box, you can build up multiple layers of strip, the apply a small section of 1/4 round,styrene or simply round over the edge with a file. Pretty easy actually. You can use cardboard to gauge you spaces before you commit to more expensive styrene. David

SCI-FI, Here is a photo of a HEMMT based tanker that is used by the Maine Forestry service (credit to the original photographer). I have a few more photos of this in my computer at home. Once I complete my HEMMT heavy brush tanker, I had considered doing one of those. David

SCI-FI, I started a new thread "Scratchbuilt ARFF Vehicles" in the "Truck Stop" area. David

With JT stirring interest in ARFF projects, I thought I would start a separate thread. SCI-FI had posted photos of some Oshkosh 1st generation Striker 8x8's. I have seen the "in progress" work of a professional modeler who is also working on one of these. His build is nothing short of AWESOME! Personally, I have been planning a build of an Oshkosh P-19. These came out in the mid 1980's and are still in use as reserve apparatus or being refurbished by CRSI for smaller airports and municipalities. (Chuck Maderom photo) I would also like to build some 1st generation Strikers, two, three, and four axle versions. Previously, I have built/am building some rapid intervention vehicles (RIV). Anyone else with an interest, references, or other ARFF related projects - feel free to join in! The following three photos are not my work. Great craftsmanship! These two are mine. David

And, that is one seriously problematic rebuild you got there, Dave.....Did it come like that or was it just from a long time in the attic...?? JT, Sorry to hear about the grandson woes... Had some challenges the past week with my 16 year old. I'll trade you! Seriously though, I "thought" I had taken great care of my models in transit to Florida 3 years ago. This is the only one that I know of that is like this. We are slwoly getting moved out of the apartment and into our new home. Now I have to figure out the layout and funding of my new build, airbrush, display and storage areas... As the Bare Naked Ladies song goes "If I had a Million Dollars...". Going through builder's withdrawl... David

Terry, It would be great to see you build the HEMMT tractor! Now the #125,000 question - 1/35 or 1/24 scale? David

Jim, She is looking GREAT! Keep that positive momentum moving you forward! Can't wait to see your next update! David

I'm afraid there are no Oshkosh or other American ARFF kits in 1/24-25 scale. It would be a scratchbuilt project. There are several folks doing different ones from my P-19, a friend's MB-5, and a fellow doing a first generation Striker. I started a new thread in the "Truck Stop" section to not intrude on JT's build thread. David

JT, I guess I'm going to have to live my "Big ARFF" fantasies out vicariously through you. During our move, I checked out the poorly built up Simba that I had bought on eBay several years ago. My intention was to rebuild it as an American ARFF. Well, when I opened up the box, this is what I found: A twisted mass (or mess) of plastic... Now some might suggest a wrecked Simba that rolled. Still have to think about that one... Looking forward to your next update! David