1950's Ford "Emergency Unit"

[hooknladderno1]

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).  As a past member of the department, "close enough" just wasn't good enough!  Follow along as I bring you up to speed on the project thus far.

 There are a few makers of diecast collectible vans and banks.  I chose this Sentry Hardware 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.

 

 

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 body was then shot with Duplicolor self etching primer(olive green color).

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 halves were thoroughly 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

Edited August 8, 2015 by hooknladderno1

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

Interesting project David. My hat's off to you for cutting up a diecast. Looks good so far. I'm watching.