1/25 Trumpeter American LaFrance Eagle Pumper Fire Truck

[DavidsScaleModels]

NEXT UP – Trumpeter's 1/25 scale American LaFrance Eagle Fire Pumper Fire Truck which is a commission build. The client trained and served as a volunteer fireman on this truck. This is the first time I built a fire truck so this will be an interesting build for me. The client also furnished many photos of the actual fire truck. I am also going to use resin accessories from Three Inches Under. They have accessories for their line of hundreds of American made resin detail parts and graphics for scale model funeral cars, ambulances, police cars, fire apparatus, taxis, commercial vehicles and related dioramas. The kit comes with s sheet of photo etch details and the decal set matches the exact truck the client worked with helps with this build.

Starting off I am starting with the chassis. I painted all the items that mount to the frame with Tamiya semi-gloss black. For the shocks I used flat black for the rubber covering on them and the batteries. I also assembled the pump and transfer case. These were painted using Vallejo Metal Paint in duroaluminum. The other brackets, mounts, oil filter were all assembled. The frame itself was painted using satin Frame black. The suspension and rear axle were assembled and mounted onto the frame as well. The tires are a soft plastic. I the scrubbed 400 grit sandpaper to replicate some minor wear/usage on the tires tread pattern. I still have some minor details to add to the frame then the exhaust system and to properly install the wheels and tires. Then on to the building the rest of the truck.



You can see all the photos and details from the start in the build log at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-25-american-lafrance-eagle-fire-truck/

 

[BarleyBop]

Ha! Walking by the local fire hall I've wondered if the fire engine didn't get more wear from all the TLC then actual duties!
Looking forward to seeing how you pull this one off!

 

[DavidsScaleModels]

The second week of the American LaFrance Fire Truck has the chassis completed. I drilled out the end of the exhaust pipe and thinned out the pipe wall to make it more realistic. The drive shafts were then installed and all the wheels were installed.

The next section to work on is the pump section which has a control panel on one side and outputs on both sides and finally a nozzle on top. To start with the kit control panel has three control levers molded flat on the surface. I cut these levers off and drilled out the slots. I then used some styrene rod to make the levers. For the knobs on the end I used a candle to heat up the end and create the knob. I then detail painted the panel. The kit comes with decals for the gauges and placards. The gauge decals are too large for the panel. The decals do not fit inside the rim rings. To correct this I scanned in the decal sheet and reduced the size by 3% and then printed out a new decal sheet. The gauge decals now fit perfectly inside the gauge trim rings. For the chrome trim rings, dials, and hose connections I used a Molotow Chrome paint pen.

While certain areas on the control panel were drying I started looking at the opposite side panel and the top panel. On the opposite side panel is a "tower light" this portable light has a reel of cable to provide power. The reel on top had molded area to represent the cable. I opted to sand these down and use actual 30 gauge yellow wire. The light is stored on the side panel. The kit has the cable molded to the panel I trimmed this off and replaced it with the yellow wire. Once the section is assembled I will route the wire to the reel. On top of the panel was a long hand bar. The reference photos show a smaller bar. I cut off the one on the kit and then using styrene rods I scratch built the correct one. I then detailed the passenger side panel to match the reference photo.

I am hoping to finish the pump section this week which includes a scratch built yellow hose with a scratch built nozzle this is stored in the bottom of the control panel in the reference photos. I will cover how I am replicating hoses next week.

You can see all the photos and details from the start in the build log at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-25-american-lafrance-eagle-fire-truck/