Fire Apparatus Model Forums

I've been away from the hobby for some time now. Recently trying to get back into modelling. To date I've made a 1/43rd scale car mounted to a pen set as a retirement gift, and two Motormax 1/24th scale cars also as retirement gifts. What I really need, and want to do though, is to get back into the groove and start making replicas for myself.

This model is a replica of a City of Port Huron, Michigan Ford Crown Victoria, using the Motormax 1/24th scale car. They have since updated their graphics so these are essentially outdated but was perfect for the retiree in question.

I repainted and highlighted the interior and removed two of the three package shelf lights (common to the MM FCVs) and after filling in the holes I used flocking material to hide the repairs. I used the provided in-car computer adding very subtle detail. I then fabricated a center console with radio, siren, and scanner with hand made radio handsets and the coiled wire. Finally I added containment screen to both rear door windows.

For exterior details I modified the MM provided light bar, that was essentially void of detail, to accurately resemble the department's light bar. I fabricated through the "A" pillar spotlights, replicated three trunk lid mounted antenna and improved the push bumper warning lights. Finally I applied the graphics provided to me by Jim Botaitis (jBot Decals) and clear coated them with Acrylic Floor Finish.

I was rather pleased with the replica, but more importantly the recipient was very pleased.

That looks nice Mark. Good to see you back at it.

Thanks Rich... I've got tons of projects just waiting for me in pretty much every scale...

Fantastic work my friend. There is just something great about a all black patrol car. They just look sharp.

Thanks for sharing

BEAUTIFUL perfectly done! Can‘t wait to see your next builds

Only one thing I don‘t like on these MM Ford Crowns are the headlight lenses
Why they didn‘t leave them clear? This checkered pattern looks so strange

Thank You Steve. I appreciate your compliment and agree with you regarding all black cars. My department evolved through both... First all white cars and later all black and they looked sharp. Still, there's something to be said about a basic black-and-white...

Thank You Hazmat for your kind words. I will see about posting another replica here that I made for another retiree.

I've got a bad case of CRS but I believe that quite some time ago I posted photos of my Detroit Fire Department command FCV also a M.M. I used that post to critique the M.M. Ford pointing out what I liked and disliked about them. Comparing the M.M. to the CMW I found each had pros and cons over the other, but that both were great base model cars. If I had one pet peeve about M.M. it would be that I feel the tires/wheels are proportionally too small whereas the CMW tires/wheels are better.

The CMW's model is my favorite crown vic in the scale. I'm hoping at some point Greenlight will release their new Crown Vic in a blank sooner or later.