I thought sice there were not very many firetrucks done around here that I would put my progress up as I build one. This is AMT’s American LaFrance ladder chief kit. It is the older issue in the white box. Planning on doing the matching pumper as well. So far the only positive thing I can say about this kit is well it’s a firetruck. Since this is about the only kit around for one, that is a given. After that it pretty much goes down hill. The parts came crammed several trees to a bag which in turn caused a whole lot of parts to get tangled up and broken off but since there is no numbering scheme to the parts them selves should not make to much of a difference to find the right piece. The instructions are another hit. It shows one side of the truck and does not give very detailed locations for alot of the parts. So put all this together and what a challenge this should be indeed. I’ll post progress pics here for those that are interested to follow along and maybe someone else can pull together the courage to tackle this kit too one day on here.
This first picture shows the disaster I encountered when I opened the box. I don’t think AMT would have gone bust had they put each part tree in its own bag.
4 hours into the kit this is what I have. Most of that time was spent figureing out where the parts were. As you can see this is going to be a big boy of a kit. I am probally going to leave the engine the primer color after looking around on the Detroit Desiel web site, thats about what they look like after they leave the factory. Probally will just paint up the filters,belts and fan. And of coarse give it the mandatory oil leak.
Hope there is some interest in this build, I look forward to it even with the problems for some sick reason.
Thanks guys. I put together the rear compartments yesterday. Think I wound up with with glue on every finger with those things. Of coarse AMT not letting down had 2 pieces with the wrong locations for them to. After some grumbleing, some shaving off of some styrene they finally fit right together. I’ll get some more pics up soon.
Thanks for the compliments guys here are some more pics, strating to look like a firetruck now a bit more. Figured out that this thing would have probally been easier to paint before it was built, but to late for that now. Painted the motor with a color my dad said was pretty much right on with the color of Detroit Desiels. Happens to be MM Hellgrun RLM 25. Actually got it to paint some tank interiors with . First pic show the pedestal on the truck. This thing was a wholelot of fun to get together [}:)] The hydralic cylinders have a nasty seam in them fro where they came apart when I tried moving the beams up and down. Might just have the ladder be in a permanent stored postion. Put on a mist coat on the compartment doors too. The second pic is the chasis and support legs. Hopeing by the end of the week to have the body completed at least and have a start on the cab.
Here’s a few shots I took today. Been doing alot of masking , mostly cause I keep forgetting to paint something. I started to work on the interior a bit. Painted the floor aluminum and the rest black. The seats are Tamiya flat earth. My auto colors are somewhat limited. Still have the dash and the detail painting to go yet.
This is the area where I have masked and painted a few times now. Get done painting ,pull off the mask and realize that something else should have been metal or red. After a bit of touching up and some additional parts for the rar I should be ready to throw on a gloss coat.
Did wind up haveing to glue up the stabalizers due to a major piece involved in them being moveable being melted from the factory. So much for quality control.
The main ladder has been assembled and painted , still needs a wash which I think will really be a great touch. It is pretty good length to it. I put a 1/24 car next it in one pic for a ref. Also painted the compartment handles and put on the door handles and head light bases which will be one of the few things left with the kit chrome on them. Still have a good bit left to do. Planning on putting some aluminum tubeing for the exhaust and some rubber pads on the stabalizer feet. Just a slow build so far.
Did some homemade improvements to it today, at least I like to think of them as improvements. Redid the kit exhaust with aluminum tubeing and added rubber pads to the stabalizer feet. Got those and most of the rear deck done today along with the wheels. Must say the tires are not the best I have ever dealt with. The Tamiya ones one the Dragon Wagon really spoiled me. Have to yet more painting and even more masking before I can do to much more.
