Del Prado / World Fire Engines

Frequently Asked Questions

Compiled / created by Mike Legeros 

Contents

• What are these models?
• Where can I see a list of all models?
• Where can I purchased either the series or individual models?
• How much do the models cost?
• How does the Japanese series differ from the European series?
• Where can I see pictures of the models?
• Where can I see pictures of the models taken by collectors?
• Do any of the models use existing molds? And how detailed are the models?
• How do the models compare to Code 3, Corgi, or other brands?
• What does the packaging look like?
• What kind of fire engines are modeled?
• What are the scales of the models?
• What scale is used most?
• How accurate are the scales?
• What countries are represented by the series?

Q: What are these models?

A: Del Prado produces "subscription models," where a different car, plane, train, etc. is released each week. Each World Fire Engines release includes the model, a plastic display base, and a "magazine. "The magazines are several pages long and relate to either the vehicle itself or a larger topic, such as the history of firefighting. They also include a separate, single sheet showing the specifications and a photograph or drawing of the actual apparatus.

Q: Where can I see a list of all models?

A: Visit the Japanese Del Prado site, http://www. delprado. co. jp/collection/fire/list. html. Or view this model guide (PDF format) created by Mike Legeros, http://www. legeros. com/toys/guides/.

Q: Where can I purchased either the series or individual models

A: The series is available in Europe and Japan. The individual models also appear quite frequently on eBay, mostly from European sellers. They can also be imported by dealers in the United States with contacts in Europe or Japan. One recommended dealer who imports from Japan is listed below. The models take 4 to 7 weeks to arrive at their store, but shipped via UPS after arrival:

Japanese Toys & Gifts
Mitsuwa Market Place
100 E Algonquin Rd.
Arington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 640-1124
jpgift@earthlink.net

Q: How much do the models cost?

A: On eBay, they typically sell for $20 to $30.

Q: How does the Japanese series differ from the European series?

A: The set consists of the same 64 models, but released in a different order depending upon the country.

Q: Where can I see pictures of the models?

A: Visit the Japanese Del Prado site, http://www. delprado. co. jp/collection/fire/list. html. Or view this model guide (PDF format) created by Mike Legeros, http://www. legeros. com/toys/guides/.

Q: Where can I see pictures of the models taken by collectors?

A: http://www. legeros. com/toys/gallery and click on any file name beginning with del-

Q: Do any of the models use existing molds? And how detailed are the models?

A: The 1939 Bedford, 1939 Leyland, 1907 Seagrave, and 1947 Citroen appear to be Matchbox Collectibles mold, some of which appear re-painted or re-lettered. The 1912 Christie appears to be a Road Champs mold. The 1924 Ahrens Fox and 1948 Mack appear to be based on their larger-scale Franklin Mint counterparts. The 1950 American LaFrance might be based on a larger-scale Corgi version.

There's also a considerably disparity between the details in the molds. Notice the mirrors, for example. Some are thin plastic, some are thicker plastic. Some are molded as part of the chassis and painted silver. Perhaps different design teams worked on different models. Some of the releases have moving parts; some have none. Others have noticeably hollow parts, such as the boom on the 1990 Leibherr crane, which is solid on only three sides.

Q: How do the models compare to Code 3, Corgi, and other brands?

A: They're more detailed than, say, Siku, Solido, or Tomica. Some of the releases are probably on par with Corgi. One or two might be on par with current Code 3, but I'd have to check more closely.

Off hand, I'd rate the detail (for the models I've seen) as:

Q: What does the packaging look like?

A: In Japan, each release is elaborately boxed. See the Japanese Del Prado site for pictures: http://www. delprado. co. jp/collection/fire/index. html. In Germany, each release is simply shrink-wrapped with the "magazine."

Q: What kind of fire engines are modeled?

A:

Q: What are the scales of the models?

A: They vary, though all are six inches long or shorter. The scales, based on Japanese numbering:
 

#	Scale	Description
1	43	1939 Bedford
2	87	Morita MAF-125A
3	43	1912 Christie
4	50	2002 Morita FFA-001
5	43	1939 Leyland
6	43	1907 Seagrave
7	43	1924 Ahrens Fox
8	64	1985 Morita
9	43	1996 Robo Fighter
10	64	1970 Seagrave K
11	43	1947 Citroen H
12	64	1995 Morita MSR-I
13	64	1948 Mack
14	64	1995 Morita
15	64	1945 Metz Unimog S-404
16	120	1997 Mercedes Rosenbauer
17	53	1992 Hummer
18	64	1960 Hotchkiss
19	87	1992 Super Fighter
20	72	1980 Berliet
21	72	2000 Iveco
22	72	1998 Renault
23	87	1984 Morita
24	43	1990 Rainbow 5
25	72	1992 CCF Iveco
26	72	Autopompe Dong Feng
27	72	2002 Iveco
28	43	1975 Land Rover
29	72	1952 Magirus Deutz
30	50	1995 Mercedes / Rosenbauer
31	80	1990 Liebherr
32	32	Mini Fire Truck
33	64	1999 CCFF Renault
34	64	1995 Morita
35	72	1999 Renault Camiva
36	64	1950 American LaFrance 700
37	50	1990 VSRTT UMM BDU 11 Dil Bemaex
38	50	1974 CCI Citroen
39	57	VSAB Peugeot Boxer Picot 25D
40	72	Iveco/Magirus Drehliter DLK23-12nB CS
41	43	1922 "Bomb Tanque" 84 PS Delahaye
42	50	1939 KL 17 Opel Blitz
43	57	1957 EP Renault 2T5
44	57	1972 EATT
45	50	1976 Citroen
46	87	1993 Pierce Lance
47	50	1962 Opel Blitz
48	64	1974 Mack
49	72	2003 Nikki Sky-Arm
50	57	1952 GMC Brush Breaker
51	72	1999 Sutphen Monarch
52	72	200? Oshkosh ARFF
53	64	1958 American LaFrance Series 900
54	80	2003 Nikki Sky Action Ladder
55	57	1970 FPT Citroen
56	64	1952 Seagrave 70th Anniversary Series
57	64	1985 Fourgon d'appri, Renault
58	32	1907 Steamer Durenue Krebs
59	64	2001 Janus Bi-fronte 4000 BAI
60	50	1950 PS Laffly BSS C3
61	?	Nagano BD-1
62	80	Air Crash Dragon X6 TA
63	64	Volvo Water Tender
64	?	Peugeot H20 Concept Vehicle

Q: What scale is used most?

A: Based on the above list:

Q: How accurate are the scales?

A: Some are very close. Based on the spec sheets included in the Japanese issues and hand-measuring of the models, here some "exact measurements:"

Q: What countries are represented by the series?

A: Belgium, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States:

23NOV04
mike@legeros.com