1957 Diamond T M-52 Ready for Delivery

redneckrigger · June 18, 2016

Ok, I am not a truck guy... so I'm not too embarrassed to ask this question... but what exactly does this model represent? I mean, what is that black tubular framework about? Is this truck supposed to be able to smash through brush and get to a fire?

Harry, that is exactly what it is for. These are widely used in the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts, as there is very dense underbrush and growth that when on fire is the devil to extinguish. This is a similar idea to the Culin Hedgerow Cutter used on tanks to get through the dense hedgerows in the Normandy area in WWII. These trucks are able to do exactly what you stated. They are true beasts of the Fire Service! I actually built one for the Massachusetts DCR Forest Fire Control years back from a GI deuce and a half................(a real 1:1 version), no where near as rugged as this one but still kind of cool.

Edited June 18, 2016 by redneckrigger

GLMFAA1 · June 18, 2016

Great model.I would like to see the yellow truck you use for your(what ever that little picture is called next to your name).Is that one if your builds?

Tom if I may answer for Charlie:

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/21363-near-final-construction-on-the-pierce-arrow-dump/It t

It graced my kitchen island when it went to the NNL last October

greg

Chariots of Fire · June 18, 2016

Harry: That is a brushbreaker. Our part of the country has a lot of pitch pine, white pine and scrub oak. A truck like this is intended to "break" its way in to the fire and pinch it out by following along the flanks of the fire to put it out. They will take down a 6" tree easily. The whole idea is to go around as many as possible but if and when it is necessary to take one dowm it can be done. Long Island, NY and the Pine Barrens of New Jersey have similar natural cover but they use "stump jumpers" not breakers.

Tom: My avatar is a 1928 Pierce Arrow. I will post some pics of it. Way back in the "On the Work Bench" there may still be some in progress pix but I'll post some new ones.

Chariots of Fire · June 18, 2016

Tom if I may answer for Charlie:

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/21363-near-final-construction-on-the-pierce-arrow-dump/It t

It graced my kitchen island when it went to the NNL last October

greg

That's the Coleman that is in pieces. The Pierce Arrow is off to the left with the dump body up.

misterNNL · June 18, 2016

Now I remember seeing these knock out beautiful truck at the NNL last October!Outstanding work,truly accurately done.Thanks for sharing.

Chariots of Fire · June 18, 2016

Here are some pix of the Pierce Arrow. The real truck was in a truck museum in Middlebury, CT along with many other trucks of the past. I photographed it and took a lot of measurements on several trips to the museum. Tom Coolidge cast the tires from masters that I made up. Lots of soldered brass strip stock, tubing, structural shapes, nuts and bolts and working steering box. The last photo shows a shot of the real truck with the model in the foreground. Scale is 1/25.