MOC: tractor drawn aerial

[Ralph_S]

Ever since I built a pumper truck and an ambulance for Bricksboro Beach (a collaborative project with members of The Brickish Association for our show at the Steam museum in 2009) I've been thinking about building a minifig scale tiller truck/ tractor drawn aerial to go with it. What stopped me from doing it was the lack of a suitable ladder design. A few weeks ago I had an idea -possible thanks to a few new parts- which prompted me to finally get started. I have had a fair few discussions on what constitutes minifig scale on EB in the last months. Some people build their minifig scale trucks 6 studs or 8 studs wide. I tend to be very fussy about scale and often feel 8 is too wide, while six looks a bit small next to regular cars. So, like most of my trucks this one is 7 studs wide.

The truck isn't based on any particular brand and model, but was heavily inspired by the Simon Duplex/ LTI truck used by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Tiller truck (2) by Mad physicist, on Flickr

The ladder can be raised, extended and rotated. The truck also has working side support struts. The real truck has several bits of ladder that slide out, whereas mine has just one. I could have used a stack of standard ladders that LEGO and many other builders use, but they often don't look right to me because of the lack of railings on the side and because they require awkward compromises to reach the proper length. My solution is a bit flimsy, but I like the look.

Tiller truck (8) by Mad physicist, on Flickr

Both the ambulance and the pumper truck I built for Bricksboro are red with a blue and white stripe, with some sort of zig-zag worked into them, using SNOT work. This tiller truck provided a bigger canvas, so I could do something similar, but simply using a mosaic like combination of plates. It's easier and doesn't interfere with the doors, but looks just as nice.

Tiller truck (4) by Mad physicist, on Flickr

Finally, all the vehicles of the Bricksboro Beach Fire Department together

Bricksboro Beach Fire Department (1) by Mad physicist, on Flickr

Cheers,

Ralph

[Fuzzylegobricks]

Really amazing job Ralph_S! Its great to see another awesome creation.

[lightningtiger]

'Ralph_S'....totally AWESOME your aerial truck is and that is one long ladder !

Keep them comming.....hey, you need a station for those vehicles to live in right ?

Brick On 'Ralph_S' !

[dr_spock]

Excellent to scale work, Ralph_S.

[XimenaPaulina]

Once again another excellent creation Ralph! It's always a pleasure looking at your MOCs as there are lots of interesting and very clever building techniques (ladders, brick-built pins-stripes on this one). Great work as always!

[Roodaksta]

Brilliant work Ralph_S! I like the details you put on the side of the model, truly an outstanding MOC! Keep em' coming!

[LEGO Guy Bri]

Excellent fleet 'RS'. The main truck looks awesome. Love the details especially the ladder boom. Great job, keep it up

[AussieJimbo]

Great new fire engine, Ralph_S.

A fine addition to your emergency vehicle fleet.

:classic:

[Ralph_S]

Thanks everyone. The fire department didn't seem complete without a ladder truck. I probably ought to have a look at building an SUV for the chief as well. For the first time in years I don't really have a clear-cut idea of what to build next, but completing this model has made me think about using some of the other vehicles I still have from the Bricksboro Beach project to build my own US-themed urban layout. A fire station could be a nice part of that. I also still have a US diner.

Diner (5) by Mad physicist, on Flickr

I might have to make it a bit less 'tropical' though.

Cheers,

Ralph

[AussieJimbo]

Great diner, Ralph.

I'm sure you could put a great little town together.

:classic:

[Ralph_S]

Great diner, Ralph.

I'm sure you could put a great little town together.

:classic:

Thanks. I'm thinking of a downtown area with the firestation, diner, a parking lot and a few other buildings -an old brownstone office block perhaps. I might even do a railway track behind it. I'll have to give this some thought.

Cheers,

Ralph