Tim Bongard

Detailed Models

and

Building Projects

Life is a scratchbuilding project

Build On &

Build Boldly!

I usually never build fantasy emergency vehicles. I'm not sure why, but years ago after I built one of my first model fire trucks, I think I got some negative feedback from some close modeling buddies who kind of looked down on that initial effort. I didn't quite get it - why they reacted the way they did - but they were detail modelers of the first magnitude and I was just starting out having come from a model railroading background. In model railroading, having your own railroad is an accepted and very normal part of the hobby, but the feedback I got was stinging to the point where I swore never to build another fantasy rig again. Every model since has been a replica of a real piece of apparatus - at least until this one.

One of the car clubs I belong to recently had a contest where we each brought a kit, threw them in a big bag, and then grabbed one blind out of the bag. We then had a few months to build whatever we grabbed - and I drew a Mobius Ford Bronco kit. I wasn't sure what to do with the thing at first. I leaned for a long time in the direction of building a stock version painted up in US Park Service colors, or as a Boy Scout Reservation truck, but that really didn't turn me on too much. I also saw a few of these that had been used by fire departments as brush trucks with one in particular appearing in a spread in Vintage Fire Truck - closer, but not quite enough to get me going.

Initial set-up and decals

A refreshing fantasy build...

With the deadline coming up, I had to make up my mind and had to settle on a topic. The penalty for not finishing was having to supply the club with three new kits for a raffle later in the year, so there was some pressure to get something done. Then, one evening while scanning photos of a number of Bronco brush trucks, I groused that none of them had all the features I liked. This one had that, that one had this, and, wait a minute, why don't I just combine all the stuff I like? Part of my brain rebelled, but I realized that it was time to shed what had become a personal taboo based on that old and somewhat invalid criticism I had endured a long time ago. The heck with it! I'm just going to wing it, and what follows is the fun result!

Prototype

Gallery

Most of my projects begin with a real vehicle or prototype that I then try to replicate. These are some of the real truck this model was based upon. You can click on each image to get a full view of the photo.

Changing a full roof to a shortened Pick-up cab

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These photos show the development of the basic cabinetwork.

Salem Beach FD Bronco Brush Truck

More cabinet details

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Project Launch