1914 Dennis Fire Engine

1
October 25, 2022
The contents of the box is packed typically for kits of the era.
2
October 25, 2022
Nostalgia
3
October 25, 2022
The engine and associated parts provides very spartan detail. Although not on full display, it does provide the opportunity for adding limited details apart from detail painting to create interest.
4
October 25, 2022
Hollow out the end of the exhaust.
5
October 25, 2022
Hollow out the end of the hooter.
6
October 25, 2022
A basic wiring harness.
7
October 25, 2022
I removed what I considered to be the plastic which simulates the protection for the wiring harness.
8
October 25, 2022
Oil filling tube and cap.
9
October 25, 2022
Valves x 8
10
October 25, 2022
All the holes drilled out for the wiring harness, valves and water pipes.
11
October 25, 2022
No basic fuel tank is provided. On this reference photograph a fuel tank can be seen. The only cause of action remains to fabricate a tank.
12
October 25, 2022
We have a fuel tank. I noticed now that the mounting brackets may be upside down.
13
October 25, 2022
The center beam was slightly bend (see orange arrow). I had the whole piece in boiling water and the result is that the whole piece is discombobulated. I will have to scratch build an entire new part number 117.
14
October 25, 2022
The scratch build parts required (on the left) to replace part 117
15
October 28, 2022
Modifying the front suspension to one that can turn.
16
October 28, 2022
The parts required to assemble the chassis primed with Tamiya NATO black. This will be followed by gloss black as a base coat for the parts which will be painted in metal colours and white as a base coat for the parts which will be painted post office red.
17
October 31, 2022
Colour on the chassis parts.
18
November 7, 2022
Detail painting of the parts and assembly of the chassis continue.
19
November 11, 2022
While continue to building subassemblies I note the date of manufacture.
20
November 11, 2022
The coachwork.
21
November 20, 2022
22
November 20, 2022
Laid down the first decals. No problems. The decals are behaving perfect for being nearly 58 years old.
23
November 20, 2022
No decals are provided for the instrument panel. I used dry transfers from a WW2 German set.
24
November 21, 2022
25
November 21, 2022
26
November 21, 2022
27
November 21, 2022
The chassis sealed in with Humbrol Clear Gloss and left to dry.
28
November 21, 2022
The ladder
29
November 21, 2022
Subassemblies drying between detail painting sessions.
30
November 21, 2022
31
November 21, 2022
The decals laid down perfectly despite being 58 years old. The decals were were sealed in with Humbrol Clear Gloss.
32
November 21, 2022
33
November 21, 2022
The coachwork with the hoses.
34
November 25, 2022
Work on the coachwork is nearing completion. Added instrument faces (dry transfers) from the German WW2 set. Add the number plate. Picked out more details.
35
November 28, 2022
Coach work married the running chassis.
36
November 28, 2022
37
November 28, 2022
38
November 28, 2022
39
November 28, 2022
40
November 28, 2022
41
November 28, 2022
Subassemblies for the rescue ladder.
42
December 2, 2022
Detail painting on the rescue ladder completed and ready for final assembly.
43
December 3, 2022
All the detail parts attached to build up the rescue ladder.
44
December 4, 2022
For a working version of the escape ladder use strong thread then knot and secure with a drop of to the middle roller, around the small pulley on the bottom ladder, around pulley on carriage frame. Take back and secure to center hole in lug on crossmember frame.
45
December 5, 2022
Reference photo to determine the rope setup.
46
December 5, 2022
Second rope installed. Take a piece of thread and similarly secure to the top roller (this is where I disagree. The reference photograph shows securing the rope to the bottom roller rather) then around the larger pulley bottom ladder, around pulley at top and secure to hole in lug on bottom tung of middle ladder.
47
December 5, 2022
The middle ladder is fitted and the third and final rope installed. Secure a third piece of thread to lug on bottom rung of bottom ladder, beneath middle ladder, around pulley and secure to lug on bottom rung of top ladder.
48
December 5, 2022
The construction of the rescue ladder is completed.
49
December 5, 2022
50
December 5, 2022
51
December 5, 2022
52
December 5, 2022
53
December 5, 2022
The rescue ladder has now been married to the vehicle.
54
November 28, 2022
Reference photos to paint the crew.
55
November 29, 2022
Figures, basic colour of the uniform painted.
56
November 29, 2022
Details being added.
57
January 4, 2023
The mudguards, headlights and hooter added.
58
January 4, 2023
59
January 4, 2023
60
January 4, 2023
61
January 4, 2023
62
January 4, 2023
63
January 4, 2023
64
December 27, 2023
Firemen completed.
65
December 27, 2023
The firemen installed on their fire engine.
66
December 27, 2023
The firemen installed on their fire engine.

126 25 October 2022, 05:32

Tom ...
So happy you are building this kit. I built this one back in the 70's (I was probably 11 or 12) and it was my favourite model of all time. The ladder actually works! Very nostalgic model for me.

7 November 2022, 19:12

bughunter
I can hear the sound of the ringing bell 👍

7 November 2022, 19:29

Villiers de Vos
Gentlemen, thank you for stopping by.
The classics (spoke wheels and open wheel arches) are my favourites. This is quite an enjoyable kit to build although far from perfect.
Tom, this kit is older than me. The date on the plastic is 1964. It is an easy kit to build (low part count), the instructions are easy to follow, but as far as seamlines, ejector marks and flash it needs a lot of TLC.
Bughunter, the different colours and pinstriping is eye catching.

8 November 2022, 04:02

Tom ...
Ha, Vos. It's older than me too... by two years 😄

Can't wait to start mine sometime in the future. Been putting it off as I want to do a good job so super glad I get to learn off yours, though won't be doing the kind of detailing you're doing. very impressive indeed. A joy to follow.

8 November 2022, 04:08

Kyle DeHart
Fantastic stuff! What a cool old kit.

8 November 2022, 06:23

Jv
Looking great

8 November 2022, 18:47

David Taylor
So,the kit is the same age as me.Will follow this one.

8 November 2022, 18:50

Rui S
Well this is most interesting for me. 👍 Don't know how I missed it🤔

8 November 2022, 21:24

Jv
Wow that is a great kit and so old amazing
Can't wait to see more

11 November 2022, 18:06

Jv
I have a few old kits in my stach but nothing that old

11 November 2022, 18:08

Bruce Huxtable
This is going to be a stunner - looking great, Villiers 🙂👍

11 November 2022, 18:37

bughunter
What paint do you use for brass? Looks good on pic 18 with all the details 👍

11 November 2022, 19:39

James C
Following 👀👍

11 November 2022, 21:08

Lochsa River
Love this....

11 November 2022, 21:18

Tini Hendriks
Old glory!

12 November 2022, 14:43

Villiers de Vos
Gentlemen, your interest is humbling.
@Bughunter, I am using Brass A MIG-0197 from their Metal acrylic range.
Detail painting and touch-ups continue. I hope to finish the coachwork this week. Waiting for paint to dry in between sessions 🙂

14 November 2022, 04:57

Villiers de Vos
Work continues. The decals behaved perfectly despite being 58 years old. Other than being sealed in with clear gloss, nothing else were used.

21 November 2022, 17:04

bughunter
And the dials are looking white and not yellow as often seen. 👍

25 November 2022, 19:39

Villiers de Vos
While waiting for the oils to dry on the rescue ladders, I have started painting the figures. This is my first attempt at figure painting. The final work on the little fire truck will be the fenders.

29 November 2022, 17:07

bughunter
Isn't it better to start with the faces? That's the hardest part. In case of problems it is easier to strip of all paint.

1 December 2022, 20:07

Villiers de Vos
Detail painting on the rescue ladder completed and ready for final assembly as soon as the clear coat dries.

2 December 2022, 19:08

Villiers de Vos
Bughunter, thank you for the advice. I have changed my approach and is now following your advice.

2 December 2022, 19:09

John
Coming right along Villiers 👍 Those figures are looking good too, especially the helmets. Amazed the decals performed flawlessly considering their age!

2 December 2022, 19:12

Tom ...
The ladders look amazing!

2 December 2022, 21:13

Kyle DeHart
They really do. Could certainly pass for the real deal. Incredible work

2 December 2022, 23:40

Villiers de Vos
Gentlemen, thank you for your comments.
All the detail parts attached to build up the rescue ladder. Now to figure out the rope that will operate the ladder.

3 December 2022, 09:58

Neuling
Looking forward here ...........

3 December 2022, 11:15

Villiers de Vos
There are three separate ropes to be placed. The first rope was installed as directed.

4 December 2022, 19:53

Kyle DeHart
That's just awesome.

4 December 2022, 20:46

James C
Very impressive 👍

5 December 2022, 16:57

David Taylor
Looks great.

5 December 2022, 16:58

Villiers de Vos
Gentlemen, thank you for your compliments and interest in the project.
It is starting to look like a fire engine 🙂)
Painting the crew and mudguards remains to be completed.

5 December 2022, 17:51

bughunter
Really great!

5 December 2022, 17:58

Kyle DeHart
Really continues to look amazing!!

5 December 2022, 20:29

Rui S
Looking Great 👍

5 December 2022, 21:00

Jv
Yep I agree fantastic work

5 December 2022, 21:21

Ventsislav Gramatski
Very cool, that an excellent model and not something you can usually see!

27 December 2022, 17:34

David Taylor
Brill.

27 December 2022, 19:34

Andy Ball
Oh wow!! That's an oldy, but goldy!!

29 December 2022, 12:35

Peter Hardy
Outstanding Villiers!

29 December 2022, 23:31

Villiers de Vos
Gentlemen, thank you for your kind comments and interest. Only the firemen remains to be completed.

4 January 2023, 23:04

Kyle DeHart
The engine itself looks amazing. Great work.

4 January 2023, 23:52

Rui S
I agree. Very well done. Beautiful model of that old fire truck, congratulations Villiers.

5 January 2023, 01:02

Villiers de Vos
Thank you Kyle and Rui.

5 January 2023, 05:12

Denys Astakhov
Amazing!

9 February 2023, 05:22

Villiers de Vos
Thank you Denys.

9 February 2023, 16:01

David Taylor
Brill wood effect.Are you putting the crew on.

9 February 2023, 18:15

Villiers de Vos
David, thank you for the comment about the wood effect. Painting and finishing the crew is on the back burner for now.

9 February 2023, 18:51

Nicky dm
Thats so amazing!

12 February 2023, 07:41

gorby
That is a stunning end result from a ancient kit.

12 February 2023, 09:50

Villiers de Vos
Thank you gentlemen for your kind comments.

12 February 2023, 19:52

Landlubber Mike
Amazing work!! I have an old Entex 1/16 kiting I hope it comes out half as nice as yours!

23 February 2023, 15:35

Villiers de Vos
Thank you Mike for your kind words. Judging from your work, I am sure yours will be a head turner.

24 February 2023, 08:12

Guy Rump
Absolutely superb build. Congrats! 👍

24 February 2023, 20:16

Villiers de Vos
Thank you Guy.

25 February 2023, 04:46

Markus
Looks great. I like the Model T. I habe two in my Display case, but the Fire Truck is on my wishlist for birthday. Maybe i'll get one from my wife 🤔

12 March 2023, 18:15

Spanjaard
Wow, superb job. Certainly an eye catcher!

12 March 2023, 20:10

Villiers de Vos
Thank you gentlemen for your kind comments. In due course I plan to add the crew as well.

13 March 2023, 05:25

Stephen Lesley
Geez, the kit is only 1 year older than me. Villiers, the wood effect and finish you achieved is outstanding. I had to go back through the photos to check if you hadn't substituted the plastic ladder for a scratch built one from balsa!

25 July 2023, 16:37

CaptGPF
Amazing! You definitely have the Midas touch for building kits - each one a masterpiece.

25 July 2023, 17:39

Villiers de Vos
Stephan and CaptGPF, thank you for the time taken to comment and your kind words.

Stephan, this kit is two years older than me. Seeing all the parts stuffed into a single bag brought back a lot of nostalgia (all pleasant).

26 July 2023, 14:14

Zsolt Czegle
Great work on this one! 👍

31 July 2023, 04:12

Villiers de Vos
Thank you for your kind words Zsolt

31 July 2023, 07:38

Neuling
Careful and beautiful build. Congrats!

31 July 2023, 08:26

Villiers de Vos
Thank you Neuling.

31 July 2023, 10:52

Mr James
Lovely work. Those ladder look real 🙂

31 July 2023, 10:55

Villiers de Vos
Thank you James.

31 July 2023, 16:26

Isaac Kite
Why am I not surprised that this is sheer quality? Villiers strikes again!

17 September 2023, 16:09

Villiers de Vos
Thank you Isaac.

17 September 2023, 21:56

Jan Eifel
Love it!

8 November 2023, 14:02

Villiers de Vos
Thank you Jan and JD

11 November 2023, 04:09

Ben M
What a gem this turned out to be.

11 November 2023, 05:16

Villiers de Vos
With the four musketeers finally completed and installed on their ride, I am calling this one done.

27 December 2023, 13:43

Neuling
Very well done. Lovely.

27 December 2023, 14:38

Landlubber Mike
Beautiful work! Love the musketeers - great touch! I can't believe the decals worked being so old, but glad they did!

27 December 2023, 19:40

Villiers de Vos
Neuling and Mike, thank you for your kind words.
Mike, this was my first attempt at painting figures. I have been avoiding it and although the sculpting dates from 1964, the outcome is not too bad.

28 December 2023, 17:43