Heavy duty rescue gear for 4821 fire engine

[playmofire]

I don't intend to make any major structural changes to my 4821 fire engine but rather customise it mainly through the equipment it carries, initially with a view to whether it would make a good emergency tender/rescue vehicle.  The first custom is a pair of speaders (the original ones which appeared with the 3880 in 1996) adapted to be used with the new compressor unit introduced with the 4821 rescue gear.  The photos are self-explanatory.  The next custom will be a custom version of the original 3880 cutters, again adapted to be used with the new compressor.  (This is a rather more complicated undertaking.)  The angle and closeness of the camera to the subject exaggerates the size of the spreaders and in real life they are much more in scale than they appear to be in the pictures.

[Bill Blackhurst]

Great innovation, Gordon! Your awesome adaption of the original 3880 fire engine rescue tools are on the same level as Tim-W's customs using these tools from awhile ago! Both versions show the versatility of these awesome tools! BTW, will you be adapting the original 3880 large cutters to work with the new pump also?

[Richard]

Thanks for making me look this up, Gordon!

I have heard abut hydraulic rescue tools, specifically the "Jaws of Life" invented by George Hurst. However, your excellent Playmobil model made me want to know more.

I found a very informative article HERE. I also learned that the first "Jaws of Life" was used to extricate a race driver from his car in 1963.

The year 1963 is important to me, because it explains why I didn't know much about hydraulic rescue tools. They really became popular after I left the police department.

Thanks, Gordon, I learned something from admiring your splendid custom. It really made me want to know more!

All the best,
Richard

[WarriorOfToys]

Great custom Playmofire!
Can't wait to see the Jaws of Life...

[Gepetto]

Great job as usual Gordon! Thank you for sharing this with us. 

[playmofire]

Great innovation, Gordon! Your awesome adaption of the original 3880 fire engine rescue tools are on the same level as Tim-W's customs using these tools from awhile ago! Both versions show the versatility of these awesome tools! BTW, will you be adapting the original 3880 large cutters to work with the new pump also?

Thank you, Bill, for your kind comments. 

I will be trying to adapt the old-style cutters, but this is a more complicated operation.  I've looked closely at Tim_W's custom on these and noticed that in practice the cutters wouldn't cut as they don't overlap, so I'm having to start from scratch rather than adapting Tim's custom to the new compressor.

[playmofire]

Thanks for making me look this up, Gordon!

I have heard abut hydraulic rescue tools, specifically the "Jaws of Life" invented by George Hurst. However, your excellent Playmobil model made me want to know more.

I found a very informative article HERE. I also learned that the first "Jaws of Life" was used to extricate a race driver from his car in 1963.

The year 1963 is important to me, because it explains why I didn't know much about hydraulic rescue tools. They really became popular after I left the police department.

Thanks, Gordon, I learned something from admiring your splendid custom. It really made me want to know more!

All the best,
Richard

That's the great delight of Playmobil, Richard, it widens our knowledge of the real world, and thank you for your kind comments.

[Bill Blackhurst]

I will be trying to adapt the old-style cutters, but this is a more complicated operation.  I've looked closely at Tim_W's custom on these and noticed that in practice the cutters wouldn't cut as they don't overlap, so I'm having to start from scratch rather than adapting Tim's custom to the new compressor.

I know what you mean in regards to the overlapping process of Tim-W's customs, but I was able to solve the problem I encountered, as shown in these pictures of my version of his fantastic design being held by my avatar! I hope this version helps you to reconsider scraping this excellent design originating from Tim! I apologise for using such large pictures, but I was trying to show the close up details of how this conversion is accomplished  .

[playmofire]

Thanks for the photos, Bill.  I see how you' ve adapted Tim's design and it does the trick.  My thinking is to try to use the original cutters but I can see advantages in the way you have combined the cutters and spreaders.  Time to think some more.

[peetje]

Cool cutter.
Nice work.
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