FireHouse Racing Team's American LaFrance HaulerHome

[DodgeAddict]

What better way to build a started kit that's missing pieces & using old plastic from others to do it

The first pic shows how far I got until realizing there were more than the instructions missing & red lenses

At this point I was decided that my diorama will have a "FireHouse Race Team" to honor the Gearhead FireFighters

This build is done using almost all repurposed plastic from other vintage kits

More coming later Thanks for looking!

[kilrathy10]

Now that's original thinking.....I can actually see this 1:1 in my mind....Most certainly could be a race car hauler....It's already got tool boxes everywhere, and long enough to put at least 2 cars on it......Why not???? I really like this idea....I really like it.....

[DodgeAddict]

One car with storage & sleeping room for the whole team

Blacked out areas in middle & front are windows with the rear open air

This spot here will have a sink in it the holes below storage for cooking utensils there's a window there!

The cabinet doors will be made from tread plate

Plans are for a MPC "FireFighter" Dodge truck done as mud drag truck,36 Chevy Modified & "Red Alert" Chevelle Drag car (in honor of a FireFighter friend) to share this truck as a team

[kilrathy10]

I gotcha....I see what you got going, here....Nice idea....

[DodgeAddict]

Thank you!

[olsbooks]

My favorite word for this....RE-PURPOSE. Very clever! A++++

Edited March 10, 2014 by olsbooks

[DodgeAddict]

Thanks Jesse, I try to use all I can from old models

[DodgeAddict]

Here's how the build has went in the last month or so These pick up where the ones in beginning post left off

Mock up began with a rear ramp from a Haulaway trailer kit at first the idea was to have it drop down out of the deck of the truck & quickly decided it wasn't happening,then use an attached platform to the rear

This changed again

as did the original floor layout this is what came out of my mind starting out for the floor plan

The lower open area is of course the kitchen/delicate parts shop carb building etc I closed in the backs of the outer cabinets to provide a correct look the open area in the center in the rear was for working under the car

Then a couple nights later I scratch build a ramp change my mind on the floor plan & where the ramp gets placed plus lay down new double diamond tread plate

The next night or so I built the front wall & started the floor for the sleeping area in the upper front

A few nights later I built the rear wall & the second floor the ceiling/second floor is from a a piece of floor & wall from a box trailer The trailer wall provides a riveted metal look for the ceiling The second floor will get covered in double diamond as well the second floor is narrower than the others to allow access using one of the ladders that came with the kit The new floor plan provides complete walk through when a vehicle isn't loaded

The next night I built the sink base & kitchen cabinets The face is the kingpin plate from the parts trailer & those holes are for kitchen utensils In this pic you can see the edge of the ribbed trailer siding that covers the front wall the same siding is on the bottom side of the over cab floor

[DodgeAddict]

I trimmed out some of the walls tonight & two of the windows plus fitted the front panel & mocked it all up

[DodgeAddict]

Tonight I'm going to try & cut out all the windows & have both sides & front panel finished

Tonight I'm going to try & cut out all the windows & have both sides & front panel finished

[kilrathy10]

This looks so cool....Looks like something that the guys on "Top Gear" would build.....I love it.....

[DodgeAddict]

Thanks JT! I used to be a custom builder on real vehicles I do custom boats/campers now & what ever else that comes along Here's my summer project

Captains quarters up there

Gonna build a 1/25 scale of it too

Maybe I can post it in the Big Rig section The motor is a diesel from a Kenworth like Sonny & Frank used to drive

[DodgeAddict]

Tonight I'm going to try & cut out all the windows & have both sides & front panel finished

Tonight I'm going to try & cut out all the windows & have both sides & front panel finished

Tonight so far I finished the wall I started & will cut out the front panel probably when I finish this post It's all rough cut right now

Thanks again to everyone!

[DodgeAddict]

I went ahead & finished the front panel

taped it up for pics

Here's a topical view

Done building & headed for bed

Got to go paint the bottom color on the cab & the front panel on the bed

Here's the before

I figured that it would glow in the dark or make my cell phone crazy

It's going to be my support vehicle for the houseboat project & the camp we have there those cabinets will hold generators,welders etc + it'll make our camp shower & toilet water last longer we'll have a 2500 gallon capacity now

Had to cut & treat rust+ strengthen the bed sides with that tread plate

[kilrathy10]

Yeah...This is an exiting project....It's looking great, too.....I like the rear cut out....That looks really cool.....

That boat is looking pretty cool, too....That's gotta be some fun.....

[DodgeAddict]

It is fun I'm between coats now on the real FireTruck I'd like to build a real version of my table project though That is doable