AMT American-LaFrance Pumper

[Jim B]

My next build is going to be the AMT American-LaFrance 1000 Series Pumper. Now, I know that this is a 1970s truck (like most of the AMT releases), but I can not find any detail photos of the interior. I'm planning on a semi-gloss black frame, Alpine Green Detroit Diesel, and a red body; but what color was the interior (dash, floor, seats, etc)? Did American-LaFrance use OEM colors for their engines? Seemed to be a trend in the 1970s to have them painted another color.

Since this is my first fire truck, I'm sure I'll have more questions. Maybe the next one will be a Ward-LaFrance conversion. My wife is a big fan of "Emergency!"

Thanks.

[Aaronw]

These trucks were very basic inside. Keep in mind the are truly custom built trucks so there really is no right or wrong. If you wanted hot pink seats, and a chrome plated interior they would take your money and make it for you.

Typically what you will find is the body color on the interior with black "accents" (steering wheel, gauge cluster etc), seats are typical vinyl colors black, brown, grey etc. Painted diamond plate was common, but black or body color are not unusual. Memphis and I believe Chicago painted the running boards dark green for quite sometime, as they found the color help up better than others. The diamond plate on the trucks was generally steel, not aluminum so they were painted. You see many of these built bright metal tread plate, the kit even chrome plates the tread plate for you, but this is a case where plain old silver paint will be better than BMF, Alclad, or other metalizer paints. If you really want bright tread plate I'd go for a satin stainless steel or dull aluminium look as these materials were starting to be used particularly on the coast or where salt was used on the roads. It takes a lot of work to keep aluminum shiny (my crew finds this out first hand when they make me mad ).

If you haven't seen it I have a website for fire apparatus builders, there are lots of pics of apparatus and close ups of detail.

http://www.geocities.com/cnf_e32/index.htm

Engine 51 was a Ward LaFrance but this walk around of the engine would be pretty much the same as an ALF. E51 is a nice example because except for the light bar and SCBA mounts it was maintained 95% original to its purchase in 1973 until it was returned to LA County last year. Being a '73 it is right in the period of the ALF in your kit.

http://www.geocities.com/cnf_e32/apparatus/E51/E51.htm

[Jim B]

Thanks, Aaron. I'll definatly check out your site.

I suppose I should add: is there a "propper" red? I have Dupli-Color Victory Red. Will that do?

Edited January 7, 2009 by Jim B

[Alfnut]

Jim, if you would like the 80's style Century cab conversion see www.modelsbydave.com, he also has halligan bars and as Aaron knows Daves work is top notch.

We had a 1981 with a DD it was dark green, I can sift through old photos and see if I can find any interior details that may help you out

[Jim B]

Thanks, Josh, I'd appreciate the photos if you can find any.

As for the conversion, I'd kind of like to see how this one goes together before I start making too many changes. The Models by Dave Ward-LaFrance cab is on my "to buy" list, though.

[Alfnut]

Thanks, Josh, I'd appreciate the photos if you can find any.

As for the conversion, I'd kind of like to see how this one goes together before I start making too many changes. The Models by Dave Ward-LaFrance cab is on my "to buy" list, though.

also www.scalefirehouse.com

im still diggin through my attic to find the pictures but there are guys on the site that could surely help as well