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If you have not previously seen one of Franklin Mint’s fire engines up close you’re in for a big treat when you do. This was my first up-close-and-personal session with one. Examining the big, long snorkel truck, I came away amazed at what I’ve been missing. Details abound in every crevice and corner of this lime green Pierce fire-fighting machine.
At a standardized 1:32nd scale, Franklin’s fire engines, pumper trucks and latter trucks are plenty big and pack lots of room for realistic tools, accessories and working featurettes. This Pierce is no exception. The doors open to a detail-rich interior. The big steering wheel turns the front tires and operating features include a multi-piece expanding boom with rear bucket snorkel unit that also pivots and swings from side to side. Opening the four chrome doors, fore and aft of the rear tandem wheels, two on either side of the truck, allows you to extend the stabilizer pods for the needed high work when the snorkel is elevated. The rear bucket is hinged in such a manner as to remain level throughout its range of motion as the boom goes through any and all fire-fighting and rescue movements.
It may take hours to take in all the equipment Franklin has built onto the beautifully painted and appointed truck. Accessories include rolled hoses, chrome fittings, leather straps, axes and extinguishers, lights, gauges, ropes and ladders, to name just a few.
I am duly impressed with FM’s expertise in putting this ladder truck together. Whether a fan of fire engines, the noble profession itself or just someone fond of great little gizmos and miniature detail, there’s something here for quite a few of us!
Issue price $295.
(04/23/2007)
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