CORGI - SIMON SNORKEL FIRE ENGINE

A beautifully engineered model of the very latest type of Fire Engine used in this country, which would sell very well for twelve years. The cage at the end of thetop boom was kept horizontal through a pantograph system of linkage. These were of plated wires with their appropriate ends cast-on to eliminate any possible misalignment on essembly. Everything was operated by two aluminium thump wheels activating racks and pinions. Four retractable stabilizing legs were also fitted to ensure the model did not topple over in certain positions. Five firemen figures were also included in the cab area and one extra figure, seen to be operating the nozzle, was located in the cage. But mine was missing.

1924 STUTZ MODEL C FIRE ENGINE

Despite the difficult economic times, the 1920's and 1930's are referred to as the �Golden Age of Fire Engines�. Dozens of companies, both local and national, competed for business as cities finally phased out the horse-drawn pumpers of the 19th century. Cities and buildings were bigger and needed the speed and pumping power mechanized engines could provide.

Stutz, represented by the 1924 Model C, only lasted from 1919 to 1924. Despite a perfect score on a 12-hour test at the national fire chief's convention, only 302 were built.

1924 Stutz Model C fire truck is an 11.25"Lx 3.5"Wx 3.75"H die cast metal car with openable hood, free wheels, workable steering, highly detailed engine and components. With old fashioned ladders, extinguisher, other tools. Also comes with a 24K gold plated fire engine coin. This 1924 Stutz Model C fire truck is manufactured by Yat Ming; ref. no. 20198 in RED color. Individually packed in a window box WB. Box is 15"Wx 6.25"Wx 6.5"H. Buy it now

MARKLIN - VOLKSWAGEN 181 GERMAN FEDERAL ARMY

German Federal Army type 0,4 t tmil (4 x 2) passenger vehicle. Special version equipped as an airfield fire department vehicle (fire department chief's vehicle). The civilian VW 181 is based on this vehicle. With a hardtop. The vehicle's superstructure is constructed of metal. Other components are made of detailed plastic parts. This vehicle has separately applied details and a blue light. It also has an authentic red paint scheme with ELF lettering. The vehicle is lettered with identifying marks. Length approximately 4.4 cm / 1-3/4".

CORGI CLASSIC: BEDFORD CA DORMOBILE 'AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE'

The Bedford CA Dormobile comes as a Personnel Carrier for the Auxiliary Fire Service. Launched in 1952 the Bedford CA 10/12 cwt van featured semi-forward control, a 1.5 litre petrol engine and sliding doors. A 15cwt long wheelbase model was added in 1959 and in 1964 came an improved, face lifted Mk.2 version. Production ended in 1969. This should prove a popular addition to any 'fire' collection, being a rather unusual model.

1/24 AHRENS FOX NS4 1925 FIRE ENGINE

Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company built over 1500 fire engines between 1911 and 1977. The roots of the company go back to the 1850s under different names. In 1975, the Ahrens Manufacturing Company got it start. In 1891 Ahrens merged with three other manufacturers to become the American Fire Engine Company which in 1903 merged with International Fire Engine Company to become the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company. Ahrens Mfg. broke from American LaFrance in 1904 and in 1910 became the Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company. Ahrens Fox was recognized as the 'Rolls Royce" of fire trucks, reflecting not only its expense but also it quality. Many Ahrens Fox pumpers are still operational today.

1:24 scale Ahrens-Fox N-S-4 '25 Fire Engine Diecast Model by Yat Ming Signature is highly detailed. It comes in very elegant display box with black velvet inserts. It also comes with 24K Gold Plated Coin of Authenticity. It is very smart model of this fire engine finished in red/brown with gold lining, moveable spoked wheels, numerous chromed parts, 2 ladders, moveable spotlight , approx 29cm long. Buy it now.

1938 FORD FIRE ENGINE

Ford created this sturdy little pumper for the Georgetown Engine Company No. 1 using its one-ton truck chassis. The grille, fenders and headlights were redesigned for 1938, and behind that barrel-shaped, oval grille was Ford�s rugged flathead V-8. The 221-cubic inch, 85-horsepower, 24 stud-per-head (also new for �38) powerplant was up to the task of motivating the little workhorse. The introduction of the new chassis was popular with firefighters, for it allowed them to carry more gear, more conveniently�just the ticket for the heroic job they had to perform.

Painted in bright red with superb applied graphics and pinstripes, the windscreen wiper is a separate part, the searchlight swivels and pivots, and, on the right side, a rotating, emergency light assembly, with three red lights. A chromed, red light/siren unit is mounted on the hood. In the driver�s area you get a 3-D dash, and nicely scaled steering wheel, pedals etc, and brake levers. The seat�s moulded in soft-touch plastic, behind the driver, there�s a hose reel with a length of hose that rolls off. On the left side, there are two sections of hose (non-removable) in mounting brackets. There�s also a rear-mounted hose reel, with nozzle. The rest of the hoses, located above this reel, are of the moulded-in variety, made to look as if yards of it have been folded there for ready access. There�s a separate, chromed nozzle on one end of this hose assembly to provide a touch more realism. In the rear, you�ll also find two, chromed work lights, and mounted on either side of the handrails, above the hose deck. Various gauges, and levers, and tools (non-removable) are also mounted on this truck, along with nozzles, two lanterns, and two fire extinguishers. Buy it now.

HOT WHEELS 30th ANNIVERSARY COMMERATIVE REPLICA 1981 OLD NUMBER 5

The "Old Number 5" that it has in the box is from the "Hot Wheels 30 Years" series that was issued in 1981 and released in 1998. It is red body, beige interior, BS wheels, "Fire Dept 5" on the hood and Louvres on both sides of engine. See more.

CORGI - AEC ERGOMATIC FIRE ENGINE CHIPPERFIELDS

Today, I take another car for looking, that is a die-cast of Corgi No.CG31703 AEC Ergomatic Fire Engine Chipperfields. This die-cast is a limited edition of 12,500. (Scale 1:50) For the die-cast of AEC Ergomatic Fire Engine was used in the Chipperfield�s Circus, also Corgi had produced later on a period of �90. It is red body which is an identity of Chipperfields. They have three set of ladderd fire fighting, blue dome light on the roof, jewel headlights, black base and �LLW 456M� labels. See here.

DINKY TOYS : FIRE ENGINE

Fire Engine with Extending Ladder; Dinky Toys No555. This model was first issued by Dinky Supertoys in December 1952, was renumbered 955 in late 1954, and remained in production until 1969. Of the two examples shown, is the earlier version, without plastic windows and fitted with metal wheels with rubber tyres. The example at dates from after renumbering: it has windows and is fitted with plastic wheels. All versions feature a bell, a ladder that can be raised and extended, and a towing-hook. The tinplate base plate is stamped with the maker�s name, �555� and �Fire engine�. The earlier version is the harder to find. Length: 140 mm.

SIMON SNORKEL FIRE ENGINE

Corgi No.36 Simon Snorkel Fire Engine

This fire-fighting device is designed to bring the fireman and his hose close to the seat of the outbreak in high buildings. Unlike the normal escape ladder, the Snorkel is articulated so that it can be manoeuvred hydraulically from ground level. It can rotate through 360 degrees, as well as extend vertically or sideways. The fireman does his work from a caged plateform at the top of the movement controls are duplicated. The appliance is mounted on along-chassis Bedford. Stability when the Snorkel is elevated is ensured by hydraulic jacks lowered from the fire-engine chassis.

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MODEL FIRE ENGINES

1. Models of fire engines have been available since the beginning of the Century, made initially by German tinplate manufactures like Marklin, CKO and Schuco. American manufactures like Arcade and Kenton later made cast iron fire engines.
2. �Extras� for fire engines were soon available. Bing for instance introduced and American Escape Ladder in 1904 and a fire house with room for three vehicles in 1909
3. British-based companies like Mettoy, who went on a create the corgi range, were making a number of models based around the fire theme in the 1930s.
4. In 1938 Dinky made a diecast fire engine with six tinplate firemen. Mint boxed versions of this model can be worth up to �500 today. In 1955 Matchbox had introduced a Dennis-based vehicle into their 1-75 range and other UK-based companies like Budgie, Lone Star and Corgi soon followed.
5. The lasted Corgi model fire engine available at the moment is the Mack B aerial ladder truck in the colours of Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania.

From:The Diecast Collector Magazine
November 1997 Issue 1