AndyC3J

There is a Sutphen tiller in Mamaroneck, NY.....but it's not a tower.

Same as everyone else.....sometimes it loads, sometimes it doesn't. I figured it was just busy server issues, or something. Typing the URL to come straight to the board works every time. Only issue I have with the main Bravo page is the contents are displaced. The feature photo and other photo links are way off to the right, instead of in the middle. Nothing I can't handle, but just thought I'd mention it.

Fourth?!?? Geez.....seems like just a few weeks ago, we were saying Happy 3rd. Where DOES the time go?!?!????

The money probably comes from the same place that it does on all the vehicle makeover shows ("Pimp My Ride", "Overhaulin'", "Trick My Truck", etc.), and the original "Extreme Makeover" as well, for that matter. Not entirely sure what that source is.....Sponsors? Producers? Commercial revenue? Donations? Who knows? Obviously, they get a nice chunk of it from somewhere, in order for these shows to continue to exist. As for the specific episode in question.....I've never met the Arena family, and may or may not ever get to, but after reading about them here on EMTBravo, I had to watch the show. One of the most moving hours of TV I've ever seen. Taped it when ABC replayed it. Don't know why, but I can't bring myself to tape over it....and don't really have a reason to, anyway. Such an awesome display put on by all involved, and I hope that all is going well for them.

Below is a link to a story which originally appeared on Code 3 Collectibles' website. It is an interview with Jeff Hawkins, a noted apparatus photographer who works for (or at least used to) an American LaFrance dealer in Virginia. He also was the backbone of the ATEV (American Toy Emergency Vehicle) club website and bulletin board until a couple of years back when he gave it up to devote more time to his job, etc. http://legeros.com/toys/columns/2005-07/ Not quite as "snooty" as the original topic, but quite insightful, regardless. That's one of the things I most regret about what the old Code 3 bulletin board disintegrated into, is not seeing Jeff's awesome work anymore. The man can photograph a rig like few others.

I currently shoot with an "old" Olympus OM-10 that used to belong to my grandfather. Prior to acquiring that, it was a borrowed Yashica of Mom's. Not sure which I like(d) better. Both do what I need them to nicely enough. Everywhere I go, I keep getting asked, "When are you going to go digital?". Well, it's not much of an exaggeration to say that if I had a dollar for every time I heard that, I could probably afford to. But, I just can't bring myself to blow the kind of coin that the camera I want costs, only to risk having it get drenched at the first wetdown it went to. Seeing that happen to an acquaintance of mine a couple of years back didn't help matters much. I've been given more than one subtle hint that I "might" be getting a dig for Christmas. Goes without saying that it won't be the one I want, but I guess it's a start. Will probably still cart the "old relic" around with me anyway, at least for the first few outings, until I get the hang of the new one (assuming, of course, that it does actually come to be in the first place).

I don't like to think about Christmas at all anymore.....I really don't. But, if "forced" to, it shouldn't be until after the tryptofan (sp?)-induced nap on Thanksgiving night. My step-father used to insist on Christmas music being the background noise for that particular dinner, the house was fully decorated by that point, the tree went up Friday morning, and the outside lights went on somewhere between Thursday night and that weekend. Made me happy to get out on my own. I agree wholeheartedly....WAY too early this year! Went to Hannaford the other night, and they have one long aisle for seasonal stuff. A third to a half of it is leftover Halloween candy, currently marked down to 75% off, and the other half is.....you guessed it, Christmas stuff! Ad in the paper recently hyping Santa's arrival at the Galleria, complete with live reindeer. Didn't even bother to remember the date, other than commenting that it's too early. Eggnog hit the shelves a week to 10 days ago. That's fine for some folks, but I prefer my first taste of it to be at Thanksgiving dinner. What's the deal with all these different flavors now, anyway? You couldn't PAY me enough to partake in Black Friday festivities. Traffic is bad enough around here on a normal day. I'm practically broke now as it is.....no need to put my life (and that of my only vehicle) on the line just to spend money I don't have in the name of saving a "few" dollars on something. I'd much rather take advantage of a rare chance to sleep late. I, too, wish it was a lot less commercialized, but what can you do (besides ignore it, of course)?

Yeah, when the Quantum first came out, I thought it was the fugliest thing I'd ever seen. I actually like them now. Even the hideous Spartan Gladiator Evolution isn't all that bad. Still prefer the Gladiator Classic, though. Haven't yet seen enough of the new Spartan model to pass judgement on it. To answer the earlier comment, yes you can get the Velocity with "normal" mirrors. Saw a rear-mount platform demo with them, and it didn't look bad. I just wonder if rectangle headlights are (or ever will be) an option. The round ones do look somewhat odd.

Starts at 3 now? Cool! I was planning to arrive "early" anyway in hopes of getting pics of the rig(s) while it's light out, and before there's a huge mob of people around 'em. Oh, and to get a shirt before they're gone, too. ASI rules!

The Hutto rig (red/gray) is actually an Impel, not a Velocity. I was saddened to learn of the demise of the Lance, Dash, etc., as they were among my favorite apparatus models. Wasn't thrilled with the Velocity at first, but I think it will grow on me after a while, funny looking mirrors and all. Can't speak for Westchester, but I know of two departments here in Orange County (Goshen and Chester) who have Velocity engines on order for next year. Lodi (Bergen Co., NJ) has a Velocity tower on order, and I've heard Hillsdale is going for an engine. Seem to recall talk of a rescue going somewhere, but the town escapes me at the moment. Should be interesting to see one in person

Some friends of mine from the Garden State have asked me to find out if this will actually be a WETdown (i.e. Will there be water used?) and what company is producing the shirts? Thanks in advance for any help/info.

Just another "black eye" for the volunteer fire service, and more fodder for the anti-social event (read: parade and wetdown) types to feast on. I wonder what would the media's response would be if they knew that Pequannock wasn't their first stop that day? They made an appearance in Palisades Park earlier in the afternoon as well, where all "designated drivers" were made to give their license info, etc., to the guy at the entrance to the event before they ever primed the pump just as a precaution so they could monitor who did what in terms of the liquid refreshment table. Maybe I'm just too much of a "straight arrow" for my own good, but underage drinking is just plain wrong, no matter what. Firefighter or not. Ditto for driving after you've had a couple. Just a shame that these guys couldn't control themselves and party responsibly (and legally). What's that line about all it takes is a few bad apples....... ?

An eagle-eyed newcomer to the model fire trucks message board has pointed out that Code 3 seems to have jumped the gun by a few days, and already has product pages in place for what appears to be the August releases. They are a 1/64 American LaFrance Eagle engine for Buffalo, NY, and FDNY E-7 and L-1. Unfortunately, the only new tooling is the Buffalo engine, and I'm not all that crazy about it.

Seth and Kris, Congratulations and best of luck to both of you. After all you've been through, you deserve this awesome day! As luck would have it, my cousin is getting married today, too, so I'll be "in the spirit" no matter what. Andy

If they do release the Yonkers ALFs, being the somewhat unique pieces they are, then I hope some day to see the five new Pierces that Syosset just leased....and maybe their rescue and ALF tower, too. Now that would be some good stuff.

If they don't get their quality control issues under control soon, even the FDNY crowd will sour on them sooner or later. I am patient, and can wait for what is supposed to be coming, but if it's messed up when it gets here, then what was the point of waiting? Nowadays, it's like Russian Roulette when you open the box. Is your piece in good shape, or do you need to play another game of "RR" trying to get a refund or exchange. The detail is iffy from one piece to the next, but the quality of years past just isn't there. I keep hearing talk of other companies that might start dabbling in fire apparatus models. Maybe (hopefully) when they do, it will be the spark that gets Code 3 back in the game. Or, maybe the "new kid on the block" will end up being the only game in town. Time will tell.

The vehicle in question is a 2003 Pierce Dash 85-foot rear mount platform, which they purchased as a demo from Tyler Fire Equipment in 2005. That having been said, does that price tag ($700,000) sound reasonable? Hopefully, it works out for them. Sucks that so many people think it's "fun" to crack down on emergency services, even when they're trying to do something that will benefit the people they serve in the end.

In most cases, it seems to go by the year of the chassis. I've wondered a lot (and asked a few times) about this as well, and have never really gotten a straight answer. With cars, there seems to be a cut-off point in mid year where it becomes the following model year, but fire trucks don't seem to work the same way. Most places go by the chassis manufacture date, others by when it was delivered. Some probably still go by which half of the year it was started in, or when they ordered it. Who knows?

The Catskill Fire-Cats (Catskill Chapter, SPAAMFAA) are pleased to announce their 31st Annual Antique Fire Apparatus Show and Muster. The event will be held rain or shine on Sunday June 10, 2007 from 9 AM to 4 PM on the grounds of the former Middletown Structural Steel warehouse. The site is located on Route 302 between Middletown and Circleville, and is approx. 1/4 mile south of Exit 119 off of Route 17. For the Mapquest types, the physical address is 2618 Route 302, Middletown, NY 10941. This figures to be one of the largest events in the history of our club, as there will be AT LEAST 100 antique and classic fire trucks on the premises......GUARANTEED! A large percentage of that number is represented by part of a huge collection of privately-owned apparatus that is stored at the site. Among the highlights of this collection is a 1958 Seagrave "Anniversary Series" pumper which formerly served as Engine 2 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and was recently replicated in 1/50 scale die-cast by Corgi, in conjunction with the National Motor Museum Mint's "American Fire Engine Classics" series. Said model will be one of many prizes raffled off during the event. Fire Apparatus of all ages, makes and models is welcome. Apparatus 1982 or older is eligible for judging for numerous show awards. In addition to the massive display of rigs, there will also be muster games, including: Bucket Brigade, Hose Rolling, Midnight Alarm, Water Ball, and a fastest water competition. Vendor spaces are also available for a Firematic Flea Market. For pre-registration, fees, or other info, contact Bob Reynolds at (845) 343-4746, or reply here and I will get back to you. Food, refreshments and T-shirts will be available. 50/50s will be sold, in addition to door prizes and other raffles. Spectator admission is free, however, children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult. We have a number of ambitious new members who are anxious to make this event a success, and breathe some new life into our organization. We hope you will consider joining us. Bring an antique truck, bring a team, or just bring yourself. It promises to be a great day!

The "Great Neck" engine is actually ex-Hastings on Hudson. The Great Neck lettering is just a decal for it's role in a recently filmed movie.

Yep, was a great day! Won't know how "successful" it was until the treasurer's report at the next meeting, but was far and away the biggest turnout (both participants and spectators) in the six years I've been a member of the club. Thanks to everyone who attended. Hopefully we can do it again next year (and then some).

How much of that price tag is "bells, whistles and LEDs", and how much is equipment? There's a Seagrave pumper up here in this area that weighed in at over half a mil, and the full compliment of equipment on the rig was included in that price. The cost of the truck by itself, I do not know. Does not appear to be a "parade pony", either. Oh, it looks nice, but it's not a "whacker-mobile".

Here's the Joe Pinto pic of L-30's Anniversary scheme: http://www.emtbravo.lunarpages.com/SpecFeat/FDNYL30.html I believe Mike Martinelli may also have a current pic on his site (fdnytrucks.com) as well.

I've seen one or two of those running around my area, and wondered the same thing. Doesn't look like any Freightliner or International I ever saw. The nose on the one in the pic, and the nose on the one in that link don't match, though. Have they redesigned it already?

Well, unfortunately, "our hero" (me) came up short today. As was mentioned, the untimely passing of a Goshen FD member cut the schedule from five to four, and a late start caused me to only make three of 'em. Oh well.....nobody's perfect. Must rest up now. Have a hot date with a '58 Seagrave and a bucket of soapy water tomorrow morning.