LF8 fire engine for Copt Hewick Volunteer Fire Brigade

[playmofire]

Although I have a general interest in fire engines, I have an especial one in German fire engines and brigades, and I've always liked the light fire engines many German volunteer brigades have based on the rectangular style Mercedes-Benz van which predated the Sprinter model.  I bought my first 3880 fire engine in 1987 (a silver wedding present to myself!) and when I saw the 3614 racing service truck in the mini-catalogue which came with the 3880, I began thinking about turning one into an LF8.  After a lot of thought and one or two prototypes, now, after just over 8 years, here is the first version which has proved very popular with the Copt Hewick crews in rural areas.  Already, there are plans for a revised version and for a rescue tender.  As you can see, the appliance is quite different from Copt Hewick's most recent machine, the water carrier (see it here:
http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=220.0)

Unfortunately, the weather has been too cold for me to get out and photograph the finished version, so here are some "inbuild" pics which I was going to save to the end, when I will also show some pics of actual machines.  There is a brief descriptive text on each pic.

[playmofire]

Here are some detail shots of the stowage arrangements.  There are also stowage racks to go above the one shown here, but those can only be photographed once the body is on.

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Lastly, details of the BA (breathing apparatus stowage) behind the front seats.  The finished vehicle carries a crew of four, with BA for two of them.

I hope that if there is an improvement in the weather in the next few days I can take the photos of the finished machine and post them.  Meanwhile, thanks for taking the time to look at the pics.

[Captain Henry]

Wow! That is phenomenal Gordon! Building your own PM fire truck from the ground up... Amazing! 

[Tiermann]

Yes, it is amazing. The fire theme seems to particularly draw in the vehicle customizers more than other themes. It appeals to me I think because it is all rather gadgety, and I like gadgets and equipment. I don't have any fire engines  myself.

Yet.

[FireChief]

hey Gordon,

that looks pretty cool, I cant wait to see the finished product. I like all the storage racks

Ben

[Sylvia]

Hi Gordon!

What a challenging project you have taken on! I really admire this ability that vehicle customisers have which allows them to look at 2 different vehicles and see the possibilities for combining the parts to make another completely new one!

Thanks for all the photos showing the work in progress. I'm also looking forward to seeing the finished truck.
Hope the weather improves soon down your way.

[Tim_w]

Hello  Gordon 

This is excellent i cannot wait to see the finished version. I really do like how you made the slide out trays in the back and the mounting for the BA sets.

Kindest Regards  Tim 

[Sir Gareth]

Great photos Gordon, I like to see how it's done. 

 

[playmofire]

Thanks to all for their kind and encouraging comments.  An improvement in the weather and in my cold/sinus infection (penicillin is a wonderful thing!) have meant I've been able to complete the pics, so here are shots of the LF8 with its body on etc.

As before, there is explanatory text on the photos.

So first, some shots of the appliance with its body on and all shelving and storage devices in place, but before fitting out.