Now for the real work

 This is now the most dificult part of any build, making the thing that I am building look real. It requires hours and hours of work getting all the details just right. Still lots of weeks to go before we even get to the testing stages for the water systems, lights and sirens., but where would the fun be if it was completed in just a few weeks.

Working here of the detailing around the cab glass.

Top rails are staring to take shape

The basic shape of the top water canon is now complete and the two servos controlling it mounted and working.

Lots of LED lighting going on including the top flashing lights.

Working out where I will fit the main breaker.

Lots of details added, rear bumber, rear LED strobes and cooling fans

Decided to give it a number 5, first of the many decals which will eventually be added.

Front LED's and strobes mounted plus rubber bumpers. The low spray system has also been built and added but not fully tested yet.

Low spray nozel, all fitted and working with pan and tilt servos.

Overall the build is starting to come together. I decided to go with gun metal grey for the doors and am please I did. The darker grey does not look as good as this although once all the paint work and details are on it will all need weathering.

Its red

It is very red. The paint has gone on really well although it is really difficult to assess how smooth the coat is under the artificial lighting. There are going to be so many details added once the red has dryed that the whole thing wont look so monalithic. 

 

Let the primer dry

While the primer is drying I decided to work on the water system. Each of the ten litre containers needs an internal stack pipe so the water is drawn up from the bottom of the conatiner. This was built out of some alloy pipe then the hose and quick release connector was added. This way it will be easy to remove the conatiners to refill them when needed without water going everywhere. 

 

First coat of paint

 

The main metal work, welding,fixing and filling has now been completed so the first coat of primer can go on. After several days of coats of primer and rubbing down I am starting to get near to a finish that would be ready for the colour coat. 

Let the detailing begin

It will be sometime before this build is complete. The main part of the structure is now built but his is where the real work starts. All the surface details need to be added then finished with filler, then rubbed back and repeated again and again and again untill the finish is perfect.

Front plate where the windscreen wipers will be mounted.

Work started on the top water canon

Side panels added

More work on the top section

Side door magnets fitted.

 

Airport Crash Tender

 While the new tank design is still very much on the drawing board, plus I have to work out how I will fund it, I am continuing to work on the Airport Crash tender. I have done loads as you can see from the pictures and a few issues sorted out.

I have decided not to build the boom but instead go ahead with the top mounted turret. This is the main bearing which will support the turret.

Side doors fitted made from a couple of old baking trays.

Front section cut and ready for the lights7 

 Next step is to get the body trim panels fitted. A few have already been fitted but it will be some time before they are all in place. 

There is no rush with completing this build as it will not be needed until March for its first show.

In terms of electronics I did a test run and the motor and steering work fine. The water pump system works and will take its water from two ten Litre tanks fitted onboard. Flow rate on the pumps will be about 6L/Min so following the same ratio as the real thing( the tank will be empty in just under two mins. 

I have worked out a 4WD system but have not got around to building it yet, if I need it at all.