Herk

Ron, For those of us that attended the IPMS 2014 Nationals in Hampton, Virginia (8-9-14) we were treated to a wonderful B-17 diorama that effectively used the airfield tower as part of the display. Display was made by a member of the Puerto Rican National Guard and shipped to Virginia to display. (Won Best in Show) Ask any one that was there, and mention the B-17 and they will tell the sound of the engines in the display hall was definitely remembered. Following is a YouTube link to the display: Notice the DT on the right front of the display - this was for the field at Deenethorpe, England. It is coincidental that the Mighty 8th Air Force museum in Savannah uses the same airfield for their B-17 diorama! Regards, Steve IPMS 47035

Joey, Sorry to hear about the issues with the articulated ALF. I know you wanted to do a model of your fathers' truck, but have you considered using a different tractor (one that AMT now makes?) The Series 700 truck photo I sent you was upgraded in 1980 with a Mack CF tractor, so this type change is not unusual. Your issues with lengths & angles sound just like the problems I had in scratch building an AF Class 530B (Series 1) crash rescue truck. As former AF "Ramp Rat" & fire fighter, I thought the conversion of an Army 2 1/2 toner to the Class 530 would be easy - keep the cab & frame from the kit and build be new body - it was all straight lines and 90 degree angles - yea right! After a cardboard template and a two styrene sheet plastic attempts, I came out with what you see attached. It has gotten a couple of awards at shows, but it has to compete in categories where fire trucks are not seen i.e. soft-top trucks & jeeps. I was lucky in finding a web site that had a design and templates for a card stock model of the 530B. I copied those and use a combination of the computer & a copy machine to resized the card template to 1/35. What scale are you looking at building the P-2 as - 1/72, 1/48, etc? Have you considered doing an O-11A or B? (see attached) Best of luck on the build - will be glad to share any photos or data I have on the O-11s. Regards, Steve PS - this is the list of what it took to make the Class 530B Chassis & Cab from Revell/Monogram M34 Tactical Truck kit. Body is scratch built, to include pump panels, using the following: · sheet styrene – truck sides, compartment doors · tube styrene – hard suction hose · brass wire – ladder supports, tail board grab handles, door handles · balsa wood – hose bed drain platform · shoe lace – 5 and 2 ½ inch hose · spare parts box – siren, rotating beacon, shovel, fire extinguishers, ladder · custom decals for all doors · Archer Transfers for cab dials & placards, pump panel dials & placards, non-skid surface for steps, cab floor & tailboard · 3 Inches Under (eBay) – hose nozzles, Motorola radio, cab spotlights · decorative bezels – head lights, emergency lights, turn signals, backup lights

Ed, You are not the first to confuse the ALF 900 & 1000 series apparatus. The Greensboro engine picture I sent yesterday was the "first-due" apparatus for my neighborhood. When I took the kit to the fire station, they showed me the difference between the two series. If you think about it from a kit marketing view, what sounds "flashier" Series 900 or Series 1000(Century) apparatus? Either way, you come out with a good basic unit. (also one easy to modify to make a specific unit) Joe - I am planning to kit-bash the AMT engine & ladder truck to make an ALF 100' mid-mount aerial (see attached), I would be very interested to see how you configure you articulated aerial - will you be using an ALF tractor or some other make? Best wishes, Steve Payne IPMS 47035

Joe, I would recommend looking for copies of the American Fire Apparatus Vol 1 - Pumpers and Vol 2 - Aerial Equipment from Squadron/Signal publications to help with your project. ($19.95 each) As for the kits, they were originally designed as the Series 900 equipment as the difference between the 900 and 1000 series was minor except for the serious modeler or fire truck enthusiast i.e. painted pump panel (900) vs chrome panel (1000). Is there a major need to designate as either Series 900 or 1000? First two attached photos are of Series 900 engines from Greensboro & Raleigh, NC FD. Third photo is of a Series 1000 - as you see little difference unless you know where to look. Good luck on your build, I too will be wanting to see photos of your build. Regards, Steve