Another in my occasional series of Chicago-themed service vehicles.
This is AMT/Ertl’s 1/25 “Rescue 911 Ambulance,” the last retooling of MPC’s venerable (and excellent) Dodge Van series. This version kept the basics of the stock late-70s Dodge B300 Tradesman van, but added a peculiar grill configuration apparently designed to approximate a later 80’s appearance without actually doing the necessary retooling of the bodywork. The kit had no ambulance features whatsoever beyond the lightbars and decals. It actually retained the “disco cruiser” interior of an earlier release with bench seats, wood shingle paneling and quilted padding throughout.
I picked the kit up on eBay several years ago intending to use it with some aftermarket ambulance decals I had, but I quickly determined I’d be better off scratchbuilding an ambulance “box” on a regular Ford truck chassis. So this kit was in limbo…until one day I ran across a photo of a sunbleached and rusting 80’s-vintage Bell telephone van, an all-too-common sight back in the day when there was only ONE telephone company for everybody. (Hence the quote above, from the 60’s comedy “The President’s Analyst.”)
I “dialed in” (pun intended, I’m sorry) on a 1980 timeframe since the bodywork and dash details of the kit are closest to that model year. I decided to leave the grill as-is, though it’s only pressed in place on the actual model, in case I feel the need to accurize it some time later. I managed to cut open and articulate the rear doors without destroying the lovely molded detail, then set to work making shelves, bins, toolboxes and assorted equipment. About halfway through I realized a roofrack and ladder would be required, so (after looking for an aftermarket ladder and finding none I liked) I made those as well. Internet photos provided lots of ideas and images of original equipment (like the iconic hardhat and the blue and yellow toolbox).
Paints were Tamiya acrylics. The biggest surprise for me (being an airplane guy at heart) was that the authentic original light olive of the Bell System vehicles is essentially a lightened RLM 02 color. Go figure. All markings were done up on my laptop (MS Paint and Open Office) and printed on my HP inkjet using BareMetal’s “Experts Choice” decal paper. Little touches like the ladder and fire extinguisher markings, keypads for the lineman’s test-sets, and correct license and city sticker details help “sell” the illusion and were the real fun of the project.
It took about a month of off-and-on work, but I had a blast doing it. I hope you enjoy it.
It’s an obscure line from a fairly obscure (but great) satirical 1967 comedy film called “The President’s Analyst” starring James Coburn. The insidious organization behind all the mayhem turns out to be TPC – “The Phone Company.” At one point the last person left helping the hero, a KGB agent no less, utters the “Bedouins” line.
It was a 60’s thing. Substitute “cable company” for “phone company” and it kind of conveys the sense of it.
Just a wonderful piece. and that movie has always been a favorite of mine. Everyone wants to know what the “President’s Analysis” has heard from the President during their sesions. Therefore the crux of the film. In the end, I believe the KGB agent also becomes a patient of Colburn’s.
Thats great! Im a splicer for “Ma Bell”…cant call it that anymore unfortunately, those days are gone. I actually have one of those yellow and blue tool boxes and the red "butt-set" hanging in the back. They still had a couple of those vans lingering around here in New Jersey when I was hired...couldnt kill them…lol. The only accuracy thing I could point out is the trucks we had didn`t have AM/FM radios, just a blank insert where it would be. You really nailed it though…just as I remembered them…only New Jersey Bell on the side and like the other guy said,some news papers and coffee cups…[:D]
“The Phone Cops!”
I’ve been driving friends, family and unfortunate strangers crazy with that phrase for so long, I’d forgotten where it came from. Thanks, Pat for jogging the old brain cells.
Thanks to all for your kind comments, especially you telco guys. When I first got the idea for the project I looked high and low for good interior shots of in-service trucks, but couldn’t find much. Lots of cable TV trucks, but no phone trucks. I did find a few manufacturers’ catalog-type layouts for shelves and bins and stuff, but no two looked the same. So I sort of made it up by guess and by gosh, and it’s gratifying to know I at least got it in the ballpark.
If anybody’s curious, I’ve experimented (for the 1st time) with posting my whole set of photos online, captioned as sort of a build log. The link is:
Just looked at your WIP gallery and really have an appreciation of all the work you put into this kit! I work for Verizon and the last thing I`d think of modeling is my truck…lol. If you need real pics of real working field trucks let me know…we are finally getting new vehicles after 15 years!
Again, great work on the van…if I didnt know it was a model, Id swear it was the real deal!
