Major Rescue Unit

[Tim_w]

Hello Everyone ,

A very special vehicle was delivered over christmas and Bill was here to help with the demonstration when it arrived.

This is my brand new Major Rescue Unit that has been designed and developed for my Playmobil fire service. It is a very specialist appliance and once fully kitted out will carry some of the latest rescue equipment. So what is a Major Rescue Unit or MRU ? A Major Rescue Unit carries all the specialist lighting, lifting, cutting and extrication equipment used at road traffic collisions (RTC's), train crashes, aircraft crashes and industrial accidents. There are lots of different variations on these appliances in real life and some fire brigades refer to them differently, but most carry the same equipment. The main difference between these appliances is usually the addition of a HIAB crane, which i have built into mine.

The Playmobil Version:

I have adapted mine to suit the needs of my Playmobil fire service and the current vehicles in the fleet. As i allready have one Rescue Tender (similar vehicle) my Major Rescue Unit (MRU) will only be used to carry heavy cutting gear and extriacation equipment. Everything else that is not needed will be carried by the other vehicle, which in the event of an emergency will follow the MRU to the scene. I allways like to give credit to the person who came up with the original concept. In this case the vehicle is based on Gordon's (Playmofire's) stretched 3880 chassis, an excellent idea that i can't take the credit for.

Lets have a look at the pictures....

Major Rescue Unit

[Tim_w]

This is the controll panel for the vehicles built in air compressor and generator. Power is supplied to electrical equipment from the plugs and air is provided to power rescue tools from the nozzles.




Bill demonstrates on of the latest peices of heavy cutting gear.

[Tim_w]

The HIAB crane. This is used for lifting and moving heavy objects. It can also be used as a winch.


The crane is operated by a hand control which plugs into the offside control panel. This hand controll can also be used to work the winch on the front of the vehcile.

[Tim_w]

The MRU has an extra locker for carrying all the equipment used with the HIAB crane. The stabiliser leg appears to be in the way but it is assumed that it will be in the down position when fire fighters need to get the equipment out.




The MRU carries a small tank of water and two hose reels. These are used for dealing with any potential fires at the scene of an RTC or other accident.


Aswell as the crane the MRU is also fitted with a heavy duty winch

[Tim_w]

Thank you for taking the time to look at the pictures. I am sorry they appear a little dis-jointed. I had quite a lot of trouble trying to get the camera to focus on these and had to spread them out over two days.

Kindest Regards  Tim

[Bill Blackhurst]

OMG  ! I can't believe I was fortunate enough to get to be the first privileged personnel to see this EXCELLENT edition to your Fire Brigade  ! The options manufactured in to this MRU are FANTASTIC  ! Now I know what project CFO Walters had in mind for me  ! I can't wait to see the rest of your spot on photo stories! BTW the new MRU concept, & design are beautiful  ! The pictures are perfect also  !

[playmofire]

You really have excelled yourself here, Tim.  A truly outstanding piece of work, quite amazing.   

I wouldn't worry about the stabiliser leg blocking the access to the storage compartment as compromises like this have to be made in real life. 

The idea of compressed air outlets for the rescue equipment I like.  Here, we've been thinking along similar lines without knowing it, the difference is I haven't got beyond thinking about it.

It's very kind of you to mention my stretched 3880 as your inspiration; the difference is yours got beyond the concept and a mock-up held together, if I remember correctly, with rubber bands!

Once again, Tim, an amazing custom.

[FireChief]

This is amazing Tim. I am always impressed by your work. Great job. 


 - Ben

[Little Jo]

What a clever usage of the display stickers and items. A really very usefull vehicle!

[Rasputin]

That is yet another beautiful and creative custom Tim W. I really like the outriggers and the crane . You said in a different post you might do a "How To" any chance you did one for this vehicle. i really would love to see how you do these works . i think it is so very well made and the attention to detail is superb .