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I am using a new feature with this review called Zoomify. Every time you see the logo, you will be able to click on the photograph and take a close up and clear look at the photo. The Ventura County Fire Department American LaFrance Rear Mount Ladder is the second Ventura County release from Code 3 Collectibles. The first, Engine 50, was another American LaFrance model and all 1500 models sold out in a matter of days. Ventura County Fire Department History Founded in 1928, the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) serves a land area of 1,873 square miles including 860 square miles of forest reserves. The adopted operating budget for 2004 – 2005 was $92.5 million. Protecting 473,604 citizens, the department serves the unincorporated areas of the county and Seven cities within the county:
The VCFD consist of (2004-2005): Personnel
Facilities
Apparatus
The Real Truck
Rescue Engine 40 is a 75' American LaFrance Ladder housed out of station 40. Station 40 is located:
Mountain Meadows Station 40 also houses Rescue Engine 140, a FMC 50' ladder, and USAR 40, which is a 1968 Mack tractor / trailer.
Review Available from Code 3 Collectibles 12753-0000 Markings: RE40
As mentioned before, this is the second Code 3 Collectibles Ventura County Fire Department release. The first release was the VCFD American LaFrance Rescue Engine 50.
The mold used on this model has been used before on other Code 3 Collectible releases such as the Fort Worth ALF. Like all models, the department's representative reviews and approves the model throughout the project's production cycle. This model sports the unique color scheme of this Southern California department. Like all models released by Code 3 Collectibles, the paint is flawless and they have done a very good job reproducing the yellow with wide blue stripe. This model, like the real apparatus, has RE40 (Rescue Engine 40) printed on the bumper and rear. The graphics are reproduced in great detail. Take a look at the photos below. The photograph on the left is from a VCFD apparatus the one on the right is of the model. Code 3 Collectibles has long mastered the art of pad printing this model is no exception.
The word "PARAMEDIC" does not appear on this model. I can only assume this model was based upon data collected prior to being designated as a "Paramedic Engine." Remember, it takes about a year to produce a model (concept to release). According to a fellow collector, Rescue Engine 40 became ALS Medic Rescue Engine 40 on April 1, 2005, along with ME36 and MRE27.
Code 3 Collectibles did an pretty good job reproducing the model's pump panel. Keeping in mind, this is a 1:64 scale representation, the detail of the gages and connections are pretty accurate. The weathered hose above the pump panel is very well done. The model's front bumper is an extended bumper but the bumper on the real apparatus is not. This does not distract from the beauty of the model but presents an accuracy problem. Excluding the bumper, the front of the model is accurately represented.
The other problem is the rear of the model does not represent the real apparatus. However, keeping in mind it would have cost Code 3 Collectibles (and us) more money to accurately reproduce the apparatus rear, I am satisfied with how it is presented. The emergency lighting is accurate and detailed. Most lights are lens, not painted. The medium duty LTI ladder has a pre-piped waterway and appears to be accurate. It rotates 360 degrees. The models has working stabilizers. One axel has a yellow hub. A fellow
collector explains the purpose of the the "tag axle" is to increase maneuverability
by shortening the truck's wheelbase measurement while retaining most
of the weight bearing capacity of a 'twin-screw' setup. This is a welcome addition to the small number of highly detailed West Coast models produced by Code 3 Collectibles. For those of you who were lucky enough to grab an Engine 50, this will be a welcome addition to complete your set. Otherwise, this model will be a great addition to any Southern California fire / rescue model collector. On a WOW scale of 1 to 5, I give this model a 4....
A special thanks to Jason Giszewski, Allan Perkins, Code 3 Collectibles, and www.LAFirePhotos.com for allowing me to use their photographs for this review. | I would also like to thank Zoomify for supplying a copy of their program. Finally, did anyone notice the new Code 3 Collectibles Fire / Rescue logo at the top of the page? |
