Model Power #8968-25 Water Cannon Truck

I have three Marx Army playset sets of figures ready to post, with a fourth set that needs photographing, so I'll probably get that started tomorrow. For now though, I found this series of photos still unedited on the computer.

Years ago I had found out that Model Power released several 1/48 scale fire engines with no city names on them. I want to be able to use engines that were suitable for Milwaukee, but there just aren't that many out there with "City of Milwaukee Fire Dept." markings. Alternately, having no name on them allows them to be used regardless of the locale your model or toy train layout is based on and these Model Power issues were perfect. Being 1/48 scale, these were just fine for my 3-rail O-gauge train layout, the Milwaukee North Western.

There were, to the best of my knowledge, three trucks in this Model Power series. Two of the trucks were posted back in June of 2023 with this truck being purchased in 2024 and photographed earlier this year. I'm calling this a 'water cannon' truck, as the last Model Power fire engine I posted was a 'snorkel'. What's the difference? The snorkel has a single spray head, larger at the rear and narrowing at the front for a focused assault on the fire. This truck has two separate nozzles, both of which have the same diameter nozzles and I believe this would have given the spray a wider dispersion. It measures 7.5" (19.05cm) L x 1.75" (4.44cm) W x 2.25" (5.71cm) H  and the boom extends 14" (35.56cm).

Ed

It's a bit hard to see, but on these next few photos the white outriggers (stabilizers) have been deployed.

 

Model Power #7968MP 1/48 Scale Diecast Aerial Ladder Truck

I managed to find several fire trucks for the train layout that are a) the right scale for my purposes and b) not lettered for any particular city or fire department.  As it turns out, they were all made by Model Power - a name recognized by O-gauge railroaders as a source for figures, but not known for fire trucks (or vehicles in general). The first one I managed to photograph and place on the layout is this 1/48 scale aerial ladder truck which represents - I believe - an apparatus made by American LaFrance in the 1970s. What led me to believe it was a '70s era vehicle was the two rectangular lights with rounded corners, just above the main running lights on the cab front. Earlier versions of this truck didn't appear to have this design feature.  

Apparently the trucks I bought were new old stock (NOS) with packaging that had seen better days. It appears as if Model Power discontinued these a long time ago so I was glad to be able to latch on to a few. The truck measures 7 1/2" (19.05cm) L x 1 3/4" (4.44cm) W x 2 1/4" (5.71cm) H and the ladder extends to 18" (45.72cm). Enjoy! Opa Fritz

"The Gary Fire Department operated two of these 1970 American LaFrance 900 series ladders. They had 100′ ladders and  200 gallon booster tanks. This one carried ALF serial # 2-1-2323 and was assigned to Truck Co. 2. These photos are pre and post rehab in 1982. It was rather unique because the cab roof was cut out to lower the overall height of the rig to accommodate the low door height of the apparatus bay. It was one of the few Gary apparatus that remained in it’s original assignment for the majority of its career."

wayne stuart photos

https://chicagoareafire.com/blog/tag/american-lafrance-ladder-chief/

Here it is in action my my O-gauge layout