Does anyone know what this will look like, what era it is? I can't find any images anywhere - 4nscale.com is showing it as a June 08 delivery. Cool to see the vehicle selection continuing to expand!
Jerry, It looks like Athearn's information is not entirely accurate. This was posted by Bill Cawthon on the N Scale Vehicle Association's Yahoo Group, and he should know: "By the way, the new Ford C rescue truck is suitable for 1967 or later, not 1957 as the Athearn announcement says. The rescue body is a 1967 Gerstenschlager." And Dave, the N units should look just like the HO unit. http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH91805 Carter
Interesting piece. I would have liked one that was representative of an earlier model (late 50's / early 60's), but, I will probably buy at least one of these. What would have been a common Fire Rescue vehicle of the late 1950's or early 1960's?
I do not think Heavy Rescue were in wide use in the 1950's. The 1960's was a revolutionary era in fire apparatus. This was when the snorkel, platform and rescue came into wide use. Like the HO model, the single rotary denotes an early model. I will be adding the light bar from the fire engine to update it to 1980's vintage. I REALLY wish someone would make scale flasher units from lo-prifile PC board and surface mount LEDs. I need 10 sets for my fire trucks and 5 smaller sets for my cruisers.
I can't disagree with that Carter! The rear looked a little too modern for the 50's. Will we see this nominated in June?
Found a Swab Wagon rescue body on a Chevy truck chassis. This was built in 1963, known as a TYPE 1. This is considered on of the first type of "rescue vehicle" not made from a converted ambulance.
Jerry, It probably will not be released in time to be nominated for inclusion in the voting for the N Scale Vehicle Association's Fourth Annual N Scale Vehicle of the Year Awards in Louisville. The process needs to have at least six weeks lead-time from the initial nominations to the final ballot that will be voted on at the convention. There also needs to be an opportunity for absentee voting prior to the convention. However, if it hits the dealer's shelves in early May, it might just make it onto the ballot! I should also clarify that the Athearn Ford C could be used as a 1957 model if you ignore a few of the molded in details. However, additional information posted by Bill notes that besides the rescue bed, the lights and sirens on this Athearn model were also first used in the late 1960s. Will you be in Louisville? Carter
Good Morning. The truck is a fairly accurate replica a 1976 version with a Saulsbury Box that I drove while a member of the Wyandanch Vol Fire Company in the early 80's. Lots on memories returned when I saw the picture of the county rescue compay #2. Very nice model Jerry
hey daniel check these out. i ordered several sets of these last year and have yet to get around to installing them. http://www.ironpeng.com/ipe/n-athearn.html
The late 50's/early 60's was right around the time that purpose-built rescue box-type vehicles became popular. Before then, a rescue or squad truck was usually a pumper with a few extra compartments that carried some specialized equipment. Some smaller volunteer departments with next to no budget used step-vans. Dave. (ex-firechief, fighting fires since 1970).
