A CLOSER LOOK AT
FIRE BRIGADE MODELS(UK)

15 Grennell Close ? Sutton ? Surrey ? SM1 3LU
By:  Glenn Morson*

Who Is Paul Slade?

As a small boy, Paul shared the same fascination with Fire Engines as most boys do. The sound of the bells, the bright red paint and all that chrome that was prevalent on those early trucks. Aged about ten, Paul and his Father went to Brixton Fire Station in London on a visit…that was it; he was hooked, becoming a regular visitor to the station, making sketches of the Fire Engines. On leaving school at the age of 16, Paul served as an apprentice bricklayer; however his passion for the fire service saw him joining the London Fire Brigade in June 1969. After his 12 week basic training at the Brigade training center Southwark (Now the home of the London Fire Brigade Museum), he was stationed at Clapham in South London.  For more information of the London Fire Brigade Museum click here, Telephone: +44 020 7587 2894, E-mail: museum@london-fire.gov.uk

During the next 19 years Paul served at Brixton and Sutton stations in the south of London. Some of Paul’s more memorable call outs where the Moorgate underground disaster, Putney Hill gas explosion and he also attended a 50 pump fire in the docks in between  London Bridge and Tower Bridge, a warehouse fire which was one of the largest peace time fire in London’s history. Throughout this time Paul became a skilled model maker; he first stared with a Lesney (Matchbox) A.E.C. Merryweather fire engine converting it into a Pump Escape. This was a simple conversion using parts from other models and balsa wood. As his skill refined; he made some beautiful models using fine card from new shirts, balsa wood and parts from an early Air Fix model kit of a Dennis Fire Engine for the ladder and Wheeled Escape. These models that include Dennis, AEC and more are now a proud part of the London Fire Brigade Museum’s collection.

Upon Retirement

 
Paul retired from the fire service in December 1987, falling back on his building days setting up own business in construction work. However, this was not the end of Paul’s interest in the Fire Service and Model making. Using the last of his retirement fund Paul launched into the world of being a model producer with his new company FIRE BRIGADE MODELS. This was the beginning of what has now become the best and largest range of both classis and modern Fire and Emergency Vehicles in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, it was not easy sailing by any means, a fortune was spent in research with pattern makers, casting companies and also finding a good graphics company for fine water slide decals. With parts coming from as far as Italy, Germany and even Thailand and using pattern makers from around the UK it was a logistics nightmare to get every thing in the correct place at the correct time. 

 
The Competition
 

In the early days of Paul’s new venture when he was still feeling his way around and making contacts in the model producing world, he must have frightened one or two companies. Some went to great lengths to put him off the idea, claiming it was not possible due to the lack of contacts and even going as far as saying they had sole rights to one fire manufacturer’s complete range! But Paul not fazed by these claims, found this to be proven as complete fiction much to the claimants’ embarrassment. Another company allegedly tried talking contractors out of doing work for F.B.M. claiming the same sole rights. Fortunately the speculation and conjecture were proven to be unfounded.

The Range
 

Fire Brigade Models’ kit range span over three centuries with models depicting typical horse drawn fire equipment from the 1800’s through the war years to the ultra modern Dennis, Scania and Volvo to name a few. The range as been produced in 1/48 scale a world standard, large enough to see all the fine details but small enough to display. All models kits are produced in high quality white metal for ladders and add on parts, etc. to high quality resin cast bodies; all models also have rubber tires. Today F.B.M. is introducing a new 4mm range (1/76 scale) of white metal and resin Kits which will be available later this year. The F.B.M. line also includes figurines depicting Fire Fighters, Police and Paramedics through the years.

All Photos courtesy of Fire Brigade Models

Die-cast

In 1998 Paul was approached by a Chinese Die-cast company, The idea was to release the Dennis Sabre in 1/76 scale but after a year of talks it was decided to go with 1/50 scale, it took about two years for the first release to be part of the FBM range which was well received by the collectors. I asked Paul,
“What are the set up costs for such a project?”

“The set up costs are expensive. I have an arrangement to settle this with the number of models produced; I cannot go into to much detail on this subject,” commented Paul Slade.

If you have one of these die-cast models in your collection, you would have noticed that the decals are water slides and not pad printed; I asked “why?”   

 “The type of decal markings were decided by China not me, due to the small production runs of 150 to 300 on each Fire Brigade (Department), it was more cost effective to go with water slide decals,” said Paul Slade.

Paul’s die-cast range is steadily growing with over twelve UK fire brigades’ liveries now available for the Dennis Sabre and the introduction of the new Scania for 2004 with three liveries and more to follow this year. I asked Paul, “if there were plans for more vehicle manufacturers in the die-cast range and if we would see ambulance vehicles in the future?”

“We are in the process of finalizing manufacturing of a new die-cast on the MERCEDES ATEGO; the first model being for London Fire Brigade, with more Fire Brigades to follow. The latest information from China is that they will start work on this in May of this year. So we are looking at a fall to winter release date.”

“As for ambulances, we have planned for some to be included in the Die-cast range, but it seems doubtful on the cost of tooling to the number of models that maybe sold. I may not reach a profitable target. So, at the moment, ambulances are undecided, but saying that, photos have been taken and sent on to China,” Paul Slade.

There have been some issues with quality control in China with the first releases, but Paul assures me that he has taken care of them. I have to say that I have three of these in my collection and they are good quality models. They are comparable to Corgi and would look special in any collection, but I feel the use of pad printing would give them a more refined look. However, I do understand that it's down to making an affordable model for the collectors. Remember, Fire Brigade Models is an independent company that is operated from a home address and does not have the same financial backing as, say Code 3 or Corgi. All the Die-cast replicas come with a limited edition certificate with limited production runs, between 150 to 300 Worldwide. Below is a selection of photos showing the Dennis Sabre models and the three new Scania replicas; also in the die-cast range are three U.K. police vans with more to follow sometime this year.

Dennis
 

Dennis Fire (Demonstrator) Photo: www.britnett.net/modelking/

West Sussex Fire Brigade Photo: www.britnett.net/modelking/

Leicestershire Fire Brigade Photo: www.britnett.net/modelking/	Kent Fire Brigade Photo: www.britnett.net/modelking

Scania
 

South Wales  Fire Brigade                                           Photo: www.britnett.net/modelking/

Bedfordshire Fire Brigade   Photo: www.britnett.net/modelking/

Strathclyde Fire Brigade
Photographer Unknown

Ford Transit

Heathrow Police Photo: F.B.M.

Northumberland Police Photo: F.B.M.

Nottinghamshire Dog Unit   Photo: F.B.M.

For a more in-depth look at the Die-cast Range visit   www.firebrigademodels.com

NEW DIECAST FIRE RELEASES FOR 2004
 

MARCH 2004  

                                          
MAY 2004

 JULY 2004

PROPOSED

END OF THIS YEAR THE MERCEDES ATEGO

MERCEDES ATEGO, London Fire Brigade.

Photo from http://www.poplarfirestation.com/TodayApps.html
 

1/50 scale firemen have not been introduced in the U.S.A. yet; cost with posting is £16.00 (around $26.00) from F.B.M.    A set of 6, 4 firemen standing at ease, 1 sub officer with the roll call board, 1 station officer in undress uniform.

Photo: www.britnett.net/modelking/

www.firebrigademodels.com

The Complete range from Fire Brigade Models is available from Paul Slade in the U.K, Fire Brigade Models takes credit cards from the U.S. but there is a 5% charge. Also available is a FULL COLOUR catalog for $10 including S/H  
Address: Fire Brigade Models, 15 Grennell Close, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 3LU, England

Phone: +44 0208 644 8730
Fax:     +44 0208 286 1152

E-mail: firebrigademodel@aol.com
 

Listed below are two dealers in the U.S.A that stock the Die-cast range

Andy Cutting
6103 North Glenwood Road
Chicago, IL. 60660
Phone:  773 381 3105
E Mail: worldfiremodels@yahoo.com

Fire Brigade Models die-casts
$65+$6.50 s/h within 48 states U.S.A.

My background by ANDY CUTTING

I am originally from Australia, being a fireman over there for 7 years. I moved to
Chicago and am now a full time firefighter/paramedic in the Chicago suburbs for
nearly 5 years.

Being from Australia, I've always been fascinated with fire models resembling Aussie units, which to this date, are still not replicated by any company. The English units are reasonably close, i.e. Scania's, etc, and I know New Zealand uses Dennis Sabres and Rapiers.
I DO accept pay pal, checks, cash in both in U.S. Dollars and British Pounds. I sell the Fire Brigade Models' die-casts for $65+$6.50 s/h to U.S.A.
 

ROUTE 1 SCALE MODELS
421 EAST WASHINGTON STREET
NORTH ATTLEBORO, MA. 02760 USA

Telephone 508 695 0588

E Mail:  rt1models@naisp.net

In addition to selling European imports of fire trucks, they produce there own line, Ashton Models. For more information please email at the above address.


* Glenn Morson – Glenn is an avid fire apparatus model collector and associate web master of www.fireengines.net.  He recently moved from the  United Kingdom and now lives in Los Angeles.  Glenn is an amateur photographer that specializes in photographs of Los Angeles fire apparatus. To view Glenn's photos Click Here

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