1:50 Scale Model Seagrave Tractor Drawn Aerial - New London

The "New London" decorated Seagrave Tractor Drawn Aerial is the first release in a new range of highly detailed fire and rescue replicas of Seagrave equipment by TWH Collectibles. The model is 1:50th scale and captures every detail from the actual "in-use" truck with the New London fire department.

The marauder II chassis and cab have been meticulously replicated in fine detail. The roof sports an air conditioning system, complete with painted fan blades along with a clear, full length light bar and three flexible radio antennas. Other details on the cab exterior include the proportionately scaled grab rails, diamond plate foot wells and front fender, complete with diamond plate surface and small coloured light lenses.

The chromed metal, self fit rear view mirrors are fitted into the holes in the cab frame. What makes this model so impressive is the detailed paint work. Tiny markings, covers, fasteners and trim have been highlighted perfectly creating an amazing level of realism throughout.

The fine textured photo etched front grill is amazing with replicated Seagrave logo and silver painted surround. The large front windows, complete with wire windscreen wipers allow the cab interior detailing to be appreciated. The console mounted cooling fan, grab handles and steering wheel are prominent with contoured seats, complete with seat belts and driver's console all accurately reproduced.

The cab can be tilted forward to view the fully detailed engine and transmission at the heart of the chassis. The front wheels have working suspension and steering with accurately moulded rubber tyres fitted to the hubs. The battery housing has moulded batteries with flexible wires visible on the underside of the chassis. A small arm pivots up to hold the cab in the raised position, allowing a good view of the engine block and exhaust pipe work.

The decking of the tractor uses accurate patterned diamond plate throughout with photo etched grill panels giving a true life-like appearance.

The cab interior has been fully replicated and is visible through the glazed windows. The rear wall of the cab has breathing air tanks fitted with the fire crew seating facing rearward.

The underside of the tractor shows the exhaust and transmission, complete with driveshaft to the rear axle. TWH Collectibles are well known for the level of detail added to each model and the Tractor Drawn Aerial is no exception, showing the incredible amount of engineering that has gone into this replica.

The rear chassis is amazingly heavy and this was a surprise when picking the model out of the box. The weight alone gives the model a sturdy feel when the ladder is extended which is further enhanced by the H-pattern stabilisers at the front which pull away from the chassis with screw down pads. A nice touch on the model are the two small plates which are stored in the holders on the underside of the chassis and are placed under the stabilisers to give a larger surface area. Even the rope handles have been added, demonstrating the extra level of detail TWH adds to each model.

The rear of the chassis is again constructed of diamond plate panels with accurate placement of the chromed storage door handles. The rear wheel has a steering linkage which would be controlled by the fireman in the tiller cab and the degree of steering is pretty good. flexible rubber mud guards with printed logos are fitted to the wheel arch and the tyres have a detailed tread pattern.

The rear panel prominently displays the unit number of 25 with very realistic light clusters integrated into each if the access ladders up to the tiller cab. The lenses are contoured and really add to the realistic appearance. There are also red beacons on each side of the cab along with rear facing work lights.

The tiller cab has been meticulously recreated with the detailed interior visible through the glazed windows. Large grab rails are added to the cab sides and access steps and the chromed rear view mirrors are supplied in the box and need fitting. On the sample model, the fit was very loose so a touch of PVC wood glue has been used to keep the mirrors firmly in place.

The turntable is mounted to the tip if the chassis with an angled base panel with safety rails and chains fitted. The hydraulics that raise the ladder are nice and stiff allowing the ladder to hold the position chosen at any angle.

The four stage ladder is highly detailed with an all metal construction. The tip of the ladder is painted orange with silver lights and several tools fitted to the sides. Below the ladder is the water spray nozzle which extends as the ladder is extended.

The side plates display the name of the fire department and also act as storage for the removable ladder

The ladder rungs have been nicely replicated and have an authentic pattern and structure cast into them. When extended, the steps line up, just like the full sized machine

The ladder can be extended smoothly and the large, mult-stage silver tube mounted below the ladder extends with each ladder section to the tip where the detailed nozzle is located.

The ladder rungs have been nicely replicated and have an authentic pattern and structure cast into them. When extended, the steps line up, just like the full sized machine

The model is securely packed in a two section polystyrene carton with printed outer cardboard box. The box as graphics and photo of the full sized TDA and several brochures are supplied in the box giving details on the TDA design along with a history of the New London Fire Department. Assembly instructions are also supplied.

The model is securely packed in a two section polystyrene carton with printed outer cardboard box. The box has graphics and photo of the full sized TDA and several brochures are supplied in the box giving details on the TDA design along with a history of the New London Fire Department. Assembly instructions are also supplied.

Below is some photos of this model:

Source: TWH Reviews

1:50 Scale Model Pierce Quantum Pumper - Seminole County

Presented here is the 1:50th scale Seminole County Quantum pumper, Engine No 16 which is an exact replica of the "In Use" fire truck at the Sabal Point station on Wekiva Springs Road, Florida. The Seminole County fire department has over 400 personnel across 18 stations with 16 engines, 2 ladder trucks, 17 Advanced life support rescue units and a heavy rescue/special response unit at their disposal.

The main cab is hinged and can be tilted forward to reveal the fully reproduced diesel engine beneath, complete with battery compartments and exhaust pipe all visible. A small bracket can be lifted up to hold the cab in the raised position. Even the electrical cables have been reproduced and fitted to the batteries in the holders on each side of the chassis which demonstrates the commitment and attention to detail that makes TWH Collectibles a world leader in model development.

The TAK-4 suspension system has been accurately modelled on the model and is fully visible by turning the model over. The front and rear wheels have authentic road tread tyres with working steering of the front axle with chromed wheel hubs.

The rear axle has a drive shaft running the length of the chassis to the Allison transmission system. Other details found underneath the model include the air tanks for the suspension along with the fuel tank and silver finished exhaust. Four work lights have also been added to the underside of the chassis just like the full sized machine and the rear frame has an integrated towing bar.

The pump housing and panel on the Seminole pumper is a totally different design to the other pumper models so far released with the firefighter controlling the systems from a central position behind the cab. The entire panel has been accurately reproduced with all the dials, guages and controls present and correct, just like the full sized engine. All the panels of the pump housing are finished with a chromed diamond plate texture which really gives the model a realistic look.

The side panels of the pump housing have the chromed hose connections with a footwell on one side holding a replicated hose and nozzle while two modelled axes have been fitted to the model for that extra bit of realism. Two floodlights are mounted above the pump housing and there is a hose storage area covered with a fine mesh material where realistic looking moulded hoses are stored.

The top of the rear body has more areas for storing the hoses which are covered with another fine mesh cover which is a nice touch on the model. A storage compartment at the front houses several cylindrical shaped canisters and a long storage tube is mounted along the upper edge. Two red plastic warning lights are fitted to the rear body frame and white grab rails with chromed fittings have been added throughout the model.

The fold down ladder holder has two clips to connect the accurate and fully functional three stage extending step ladder and single stage roof ladder and once connected, the holder folds up into the travel position with the ladders securely stored above the roof and there are three small storage tubes integrated into the ladder holder.

The cab interior has been fully replicated from the three seats in the rear compartment to the officer and driver's compartment enclosed in a wrap around dashboard with printed dials, switches and display screen of the Command Zone computer system. Unlike the other Quantum models, the Seminole version has two small windows integrated into the rear panel of the cab while the roof sports two radio antennas, a single piece clear light bar across the front of the roof and the cab compartment's air conditioning unit.

Amber paint has been used to pick out the small lights cast into the cab roof and small plastic lenses have been added on the cab sides along with chromed door handles and grab rails. The paint finish is exceptional throughout with silver highlighting used on the compartment door frames and authentic printing of the markings all round the model.

While the model is the centrepiece, the packaging has also been very nicely done with a printed cardboard box displaying a real fire truck on the front holds a two section polystyrene carton within. There is a printed leaflet which gives details on fitting the mirrors and extension ladder onto the model while a small printed booklet gives details and a brief history of the Seminole County Fire Department.

The addition of a reproduced Pierce product brochure and Pierce manufacturing brochure is a really nice touch with both full of information and pictures of the Pierce line of fire and rescue equipment. This added material is an excellent finishing touch to another exceptional model release from TWH Collectibles.

Some photos of this model is shown below

 

Source: TWH Reviews