Simple ladder galley for 3880 fire engine

[playmofire]

I'm customising a number of 3880 fire engines.  They were meant to be simple custosm, but have got more complicated as time has gone on.  Currently, I'm waiting for some parts, so I thought I'd post some of the background work.

I've made ladder galleys before, but they have involved a fair bit of measuring, cutting and assembly and painting.  Here are two designs, one on a 3880 and the other on a 3614 van, each with and without ladders in place.

[playmofire]

Now here's the simple version, again on a 3880.  It involves having a cover over the top of the 3880, but this need not be permanently fixed if you don't want to.  The cover provides space for other items as we'll see when the customs are completed.

The third picture shows the parts used - the holders from System-X , part number 30 21 0700. All I did was cut off the peg part and then glue them in place with two-pack glue.  I posiitoned them by putting maskking tape on to the ladder sides and then the clips stayed in place on the ladder.  Then I put glue on the bottom of the clips and gently lowered the ladder in to place.

[Captain Henry]

Terrific Gordon! Using the System X clips is a brilliant idea, very simple yet very elegant solution. Can't wait to see the full customs!

[FireChief]

Hello Gordon, 

Those look really cool.  Did you use ABS or styrene for these? I had not thought of using those system x parts, but it seems to work very well.

On the first 3880 is there still room for equipment underneath the cover?


Ben

[playmofire]

Hello Gordon, 

Those look really cool.  Did you use ABS or styrene for these? I had not thought of using those system x parts, but it seems to work very well.

On the first 3880 is there still room for equipment underneath the cover?


Ben

The cover is grey ABS spray-painted.  There is room underneath still, though limited by stretchers to position the cover.   As for equipment stowage, that will be on top of the cover.

[Tim_w]

Hello  Gordon

Thank you very much for sharing your ideas with us . I really do like the different variations that you have experimented with. I did have quite a few of those connectors on my DS order for another project but i decided not to add them to the final list. I am beginning to think they would have been quite usefull now !!

Kindest Regards Tim

[oberasbach4]

Hey Gordon,

that looks great! Smart use of materials!
How did you make the search light (I assume that's what it is) on the first truck?
It looks functional. 

[playmofire]

Thanks for your comments Ben, Cap'n, Tom and Guido.  Not being good at measuring and cutting, and liking design that works, simple and elegant was what I was aiming at.

As for the searchlight, Guido, it is a working one and is made by a German firm called Robbe.  It's really aimed at the model boat building market.  They and Billing make a number of items which can be used with Playmobil though. 

[Little Jo]

I'm always fascinated how clever you use these simple shaped ABS materials to produce such usefuls superstructures to your vehicles.

What's this thicker end of the hose for? Is this a funnel or is it something like pump to pump off water from e.g. a flooded cellar?

[playmofire]

I did have quite a few of those connectors on my DS order for another project but i decided not to add them to the final list. I am beginning to think they would have been quite usefull now !!

Thanks for your kind comments, Tim.  As for the connectors, I usually have a few spare you can experiment with or there will be a small DS order put in in late October.