Fire Engine Red

Modeling Subjects Autos
1

Hi All,

I am in the process of building the trumpeter America La France fire pumper, but I cannot find for the life of me a decent shade of red. I have searched the whole’net just about, but no joy. The funny thing is that I was a batallion chief and had fire engines under my nose every day for about 18 years. Only now though, I started building models and I am at a loss here, so any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all in advance and regards

Gianni

2

Gianni,

I am also building the Trumpeter ALF. If you are looking for the same color red that Trumpeter shows on their model, I have found that Testors/Model Master Italian Red is very close. I highly recommend using the Testors laquer paints as they go on very easy and the finish is awesome.

Dave

3

I have been using a Bright Red in the Badger ModelFlex line. The best results I’ve achieved is putting it over a white primer and not a gray primer. Then, to really get the pop, I apply Future as the top coat.

I will second the vote of theranddav in that MM Italian Red is a very good color also.

4

Hi All again and thanks for the replies,

Cool then, will get that, yep I knew about the white or yellow undercoat, just to be sure, to be sure, you know, you don’t want to mess up such a nice model,

thanks again to all and happy modeling
best regards

Gianni

5

I’m using the Testors Colors by Boyd, Boyd Red on mine over a gray primer, and it is a really nice color since it isn’t the same-o same-o bright red.

6

Hi Jeff,

thanks for your help, appreciate it, will try that as well, the problem with RED is that there are so many different tones and shades, that it is difficult to choose the correct one. Also, when I was in the Fire Dept., we had different engines, trucks and ladders / Hydraulic platforms from thre Dennis Sabre (my favorite), to Merceded, Magirus Deutz, Freightliner, Ford, all using different reds…but I still maintain that a fire engine should be RED, RED and RED only!!! hehehehe!!!

thanks again and all the best to all

Gianni

7

Giannai:

Hi, my name is Mitch, I build aircraft, BUT…I built a few of the AMT American LaFrance pumpers 20 years ago or so. I used to in firefighting, sort of (explorer/training), until I fell and broke my back.

RED, RED, RED…some are traditionalists. I happen to find the lime green or lime yellow attractive, but a lot of people don’t. Just thought I’d toss my two cents in.

Good luck with the Trump kit. I’m watching another thread, to see how it’s going together. I may buy one.

Mitch

8

I like the lime yellow color personally but that is in part because our heavy rescue is a lime yellow and boy does it stand out. If I were to paint one red I would anyone of the colors suggested here they all have there own good qualities.

9

Hi All and thanks for the replies. I have been busy at work hence the delay in posting. Yep, the yellow stands out a lot, nonetheless I had someone crashing in the back of my rescue truck as I had just arrived at the scene of a highway crash, we were still inside the truck and I was reporting on the radio, when ka-boom…no injuries, fortunately, from both sides. But you get that…

I am busy now with the B.A.s, and scratchbuilt a haligan tool, ceiling hook, and ancillary equip. will lat you guys have a look at a couple of pics ASAP.

thanks to all and all the best

GB