Fire Apparatus Model Forums

Also wending its way down my work bench is a model of Columbus, OH Engine 2, a 2008 Spartan Gladiator/Ferrara pumper that I am building using a combination of a Mott's Models 3D printed cab and a Code 3 Consohocken Ferrara body. We photographed the real rig during the 2011 Capital City Fire Fest in Dublin, OH and I believe it has been recently replaced by a new Sutphen. This is the second 3Dcab that I have worked on and is cast in Frosted Ultra Detail. The cab is excellent and captures the real one perfectly. The pictures show what I am building, the Code 3 donor, and the 3D cab in various stages. The plus of using FUD is minimal sanding - the minus is that they are more expensive, but I think the detail and lack of necessary sanding makes it worth the cost.

I began by taking apart the Code 3 model, stripping the body of its paint, and then repainting it in a suitable shade of red. To prep the 3D cab, I followed Brian Mott's instructions and soaked it for a few hours in a solution of water and Dawn dish soap, and then let it dry overnight. After it was dry, I clear-coated the model to help smooth out any imperfections in the casting. After some very minimal sanding, I next primed it, which is where I am at the moment. I'll keep you posted as I move along. Feel free to ask any questions as I know 3D is still catching on in the 1/64 kitbash world.

I am using Rustoleum paints, a Code 3 donor model from Greg McGee, the 3D cab by Brian Mott, and InQuarters Columbus decals.

Photo 1 - real apparatus
Photo 2 - base C3 model
Photo 3 - raw cab
Photos 4 and 5 - primed cab
Photo 6 - status as of 1/15/18

As you will see from these photos, the 3D Spartan cab, like the real apparatus, is longer than the stock C3 Ferrara cab, so I will be stretching the C3 frame to accommodate the 3D cab. I am opting to use the C3 chassis instead of the 3D chassis and I'll explain the frame stretching process that will be necessary to make this work when I get to that step.

This will be interesting. Can't wait to see it develop!

Thanks for sharing

Great job so far. Just ordered my first FUD cab.

Joe O was kind enough to get me photos of the right side and rear of one of Columbus' real Spartan/Ferrara pumpers to aid in this project. As an apparatus photographer, I often don't take pictures of these views as I'm mainly concerned about the left front view, which is what we all tend to take. Sometimes I think like a modeler and get these views, especially if its a rig I think I might model some day. On my two trips to Columbus I was thinking like a photographer as at the time there wasn't a Spartan cab available, but thanks to 3D printing and Mott's Models, we now have one. In any event, Joe's photos confirmed a fear I had, which was that Columbus had spec'd their Ferrara bodies like their Sutphen bodies, meaning that there is a side mounted ground ladder on the officer side, and thus the Code 3 body would need to be cut in order to closely match what Columbus has. Of course I came to this realization after painting the pumper body, but no worries, I'll just paint it again.

These photos show the real truck and what I've done to cut down the compartments on the officer side to accommodate a ground ladder. I'll post again once I start working on patching the hole created by cutting down the compartments. I used a combination of a jeweler's saw and a Dremel saw to make the cuts.

Looks good so far. Can't wait to see the final product.

These photos show the installation of the thin sheet plastic to fill the hole left from cutting down the cabinets - I decided to strip the rear body again to insure an even paint job. I also have begun to paint the cab red. Next up - puttying the gaps in the newly installed plastic.

Here are some undercarriage photos to show what I'm doing to rejoin the cab and body chassis pictures. I had to cut these two apart as the Spartan cab is slightly longer than the Ferrara cab. It looks crude, but it works.

And here's where I am as of tonight - the model is now fully painted and assembled. I still have to add the mirrors, Mack bulldog hood ornament, mudflaps, and rear lightbars, and then finish the decals and clean up some areas. But this is how it looks, and will be the last photos I publish here as the next photos will be of the completed model.

Really coming along Mike!