1:21 Angloco Scania P280 Fire Tender & Volvo FM Aerial Platform Appliances

[MCD]

Been a while since my last project, so I hope Its ok to share with you my latest builds as they are something a bit different? I'm genuinely pleased with how they have turned out! After exhibiting at Bricktastic 2025 in Manchester last year, I was really feeling the buzz from the reaction to my Truck models and felt the need to do something new and different to add to the display for upcoming Bricktastic 2026 in February.

I had been inspired by a few of the town displays with little fire scene dioramas  - And got to thinking, how cool would a couple of Fire Appliances look in my scale?  As my subject matter is usually Volvo and Scania, the following two really grabbed my imagination:

Using blueprints and Schematics from Angloco, a British Fire Appliance builder, I was able to  develop a large majority of the designs in Bricklink Studio. Next, with a considerable order from 'Bricklink' and Lights from 'Game of Bricks' I have spent the last few months on the builds. Much of the Chassis has been developed hands on, and added detail realised as I built - Studio can only help so much!

Starting with the FM Aerial Flatform - This has as many working features as possible, the main boom is part motorised and part mechanical, with the extension based on a similar system to #42108 only turned on its side. The front extension for the basket needed to drop through 90° and so that has a support wheel to guide it until fully exended:

The support legs are mechancial and drive of one gear so both legs open at once, similar to the mech on my Scania/Mack Anthem #42078 alternative. Feet are manual push down as I was aiming for scaled look rather then mechanisms. The model features working front/staggered rear steer, opening doors and as you can see - suits a set of 'Technician' Firemen.

For the Scania P280 - the hardest part has been detail and proportion, I spent alot of time on the internal structure and was able to add alot of inner cabinet detail with various equipment pieces, alot of 'artist licence' but alot of fun. Usual functionality of steering and all four doors opening - 5 technician seats installed as well:

Together I think they make for a really great set and I'm looking forward to the reaction and how they will sit with my other trucks at Bricktastic 2026. I'm hoping with the Fire technicians; a small diorama of hydrant and hoses and the lights (see shameless link bottom of thread) They should do quite well?

Decals are an original set of #42175 FMX and some code3 water transfers for Scania and various Chevrons. Wheels are original - just lightly sprayed satin silver with a hobby paint.

As I mentioned earlier - both have working lights from Game of Bricks - based on standard kits with additional splitters and extensions I have been able to build a pretty convincing setup - I'm not sure how to add videos here? but perhaps I can shamelessly plug my tiktok video of the FM:  (And there is a more recent video of the Scania P280 and more videos of the FM on my instagram mcd_technic)

Thanks for looking, hope you've enjoyed seeing them?

Mike

 

Edited November 27, 2025 by MCD

[N1K0L4]

Very nice models, it's amazing how you managed to include so much detail and accessories in such small scale (which is acording to the width of 15 studs around 1:16 scale?).

[MCD]

54 minutes ago, N1K0L4 said:

Very nice models, it's amazing how you managed to include so much detail and accessories in such small scale (which is acording to the width of 15 studs around 1:16 scale?).

Ive always assumed based on 49.5mm and 15stud wide it to be approximately 1:20- 1;21, certainly when I scale drawings it feels that way? But yes - your right on the width.

Edited November 27, 2025 by MCD

[Ngoc Nguyen]

The GOAT of 49.5 tyre trucks strikes again!

[Jundis]

What a brilliant display of the power of 49.5 tires! The use of the bright yellow liftarms are also great.

1 hour ago, MCD said:

Ive always assumed based on 49.5mm and 15stud wide it to be approximately 1:20- 1;21, certainly when I scale drawings it feels that way? But yes - your right on the width.

Hmm 1 stud is 8 mm, so 15 studs equal 12 cm. As european trucks usual are 255 cm, it gives us a scale of 1:21 👍

[MCD]

1 hour ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

The GOAT of 49.5 tyre trucks strikes again!

What is GOAT?

27 minutes ago, Jundis said:

What a brilliant display of the power of 49.5 tires! The use of the bright yellow liftarms are also great.

Hmm 1 stud is 8 mm, so 15 studs equal 12 cm. As european trucks usual are 255 cm, it gives us a scale of 1:21 👍

Yes - I always felt this my scale is !;21 - although my earlier trucks based on 1980s versions creap towards 1:20.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

2 minutes ago, MCD said:

What is GOAT?

Greatest Of All Time!

[EWay]

These look amazing, you've done a fantastic job! And though there are a lot of technical functions, especially in the Volvo, the scale and level of realism is giving me happy Model Team vibes :)

[allanp]

Oh, those lights! 

[TLCB]

Featured at

The Lego Car Blog

[MCD]

On 11/28/2025 at 9:48 AM, EWay said:

These look amazing, you've done a fantastic job! And though there are a lot of technical functions, especially in the Volvo, the scale and level of realism is giving me happy Model Team vibes :)

Thankyou - sorry the delayed reply Ive been away from the forums a bit! I do love the combination of system and technic...

On 11/28/2025 at 10:10 AM, allanp said:

Oh, those lights! 

Really brings the models to life! I'm a bit of a lights addict on all my models at current.

[Jim]

A bit late to the party, but that's a very impressive build!! Well done.

[karmadrome]

This is utterly fantastic. Great job, Mike! And a big thank you for releasing instructions on RB despite the annoying Chinese copycats! Can't wait to add the Scania tender to my fleet.