Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20150915* Mack Fire Pumper 1:32 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-1945 Review The Mack CF600 Pumper is a familiar fire truck that is still widely used in firehouses through the United States. These lifesaving specialty vehicles are custom built to suit the demanding needs of each fire department. This Mack fire truck does what it does best, and that's pump water at high pressure with its powerful internal centrifugal pump that is available in capacities that can pump water up to 15,000 gallons per minute. For the Modeler: This review covers the Revell re-release of the 1:32 scale Mack Fire Pumper. The kit number is 85-1945. This is a Re-release (Re-Pop) and Re-Box of the Backdraft movie kit. This is a 'SNAP- TITE' kit made as a skill level 1 for the beginning builder. It is molded in red styrene and you ll need several different colors of paint to finish it properly. No glue is needed for assembly. There are 60 parts molded in red, clear and chrome. It includes plastic tires and plastic axles. No engine is supplied. The chassis is a flat base with the frame work attached. The body is solid with the interior attached and the cab is solid as well. Included are hose reels, sirens, emergency lights and a pump control panel. It features an optional cabmounted water cannon that turns, or flood lights plus removable ladders. This is a beginner's kit and includes Colorful Peel 'n Stick graphics. It does not have waterslide decals. This would be considered a CURBSIDE kit and makes for a great introduction to model building for the novice builder. On the other hand, as you can see in the full review, a little extra detailing can make this kit a real nice shelf display model. Overall the dimensions are: Length: 9 7/8, Width: 3, Height: 3.
BUILDING CAVIATS: Having organization and a proper work area is important if you want to build a model properly. But even without dedicated space a place to leave your build while you work is necessary. Being able to lay out your parts organized helps the build as you are not digging for parts in the box possibly losing or damaging them. Also you really should have a place to let painted parts cure. Throughout the review you will find OPTIONAL IDEAS that I suggest. These are completely your choice. Not doing these steps will in no way affect the build, they are just ways to offer some personal and custom touches to your builds. OPTIONS will be noted. One of the best parts of model building is using your imagination to create the car YOU want! Unless you are building a Factory Stock or a Replica car your choices of color and build options is completely up to you. The instruction give recommendations but you are free to substitute whatever options you want. There is no Wrong way to build your kit! Have fun and enjoy your hobby. Review the instruction sheet thoroughly to get familiar with the assembly sequence. Decide your color scheme in advance and your custom options so you can build accordingly. PIC 1 This is the box art for this kit as released in the 2012 version. Unless otherwise stated this is a SNAP-TITE kit so no glue or other adhesives are used in the construction. Also, unless stated, Paints consist of Testors Enamel or Model Masters Enamel bottle paints and Testors Airbrush Acrylic paints. The body and chassis is finished with an airbrush. One of the major benefits of using an airbrush is you get a good quality job with no brush marks. You can get just as good results using Spray can products but they require a longer drying time. Assembly paint colors may vary from the instructions as I use simplified colors that most model builders should have on hand. Before beginning your build soak and wash your parts with a mild detergent like DAWN to remove any mold release agents and help with paint adhesion. Note to remember: Always follow the Manufacturer s Safety and Use Guidelines when using any of the products mentioned in the review for your own protection. PIC 2 Here are the decals for this build. As stated this ARE NOT water slide decals, rather STICKERS. When applying the stickers, avoid touching the sticky side to prevent finger prints on the stickers. Bend sticker sheet slightly to lift edge off sticker and use a fingernail to lift sticker from the sheet. Line up the sticker on the body and press an edge into place. Slowly working the sticker with a finger until it is fully on model.
PIC 3 PIC 4 All the parts are sprayed, with a primer of your choice. This helps the paint adhere better when painting the model. Be sure to let it dry completely before painting any parts. PIC 5 Once the primer is dry, I begin painting the chassis black with my airbrush, using Testors Acrylic Airbrush Paint. This is an option, you can either paint it on with a brush, or use a spray can paint of your choice. PIC 6 Once the primmer is dry, I painted the cab red with my airbrush.
OPTION: I only painted the bottom half red, (as indicated by the arrows) I will be painting the top half black, if you use this option it is best to only paint this area. It saves on loosing detail in the model with too much paint. You can do this or paint the entire cab red. PIC 7 PIC 8 Once the primmer is dry, I painted the truck body red, and the back of the cab. Note that I did not paint the entire body indicated by the circles, those parts are painted a different color, the fire hoses will be painted flat black and the boiler plate is aluminum. This helps keep the detail on the model and not use excessive amounts of paint.
PIC 9 PIC 10 Chassis is painted in detail with the colors steel and aluminum. NOTE: Remove any Copyright information molded in the plastic by scraping it off with a blade and sanding it smooth. OPTION: You can paint it in detail, or leave the chassis entirely in black.
PIC 11 PIC 12 Muffler is painted Aluminum and black, Let the paint dry, then snap Muffler into place on the Chassis. PIC 13 Rear end leaf springs are painted black.
PIC 14 Once dry, snap into place into the notches on the chassis. NOTE: that there are two, and go on each side. PIC 15 PIC 16 Rim and tire assembly: Snap chrome rim into place on tire marked number 1, repeat this for the other tire.
PIC 17 PIC 18 Paint the rear-end assembly black, slide the other set of tires marked number 2 on to the axle. Once that is done, take the tires with the rims and snap them into place on the axle. Once that is complete take the rear end assembly snap it into place on the chassis. NOTE: be sure to use the proper tires so it will assemble properly in the photos they are marked number 1, number 2. PIC 19 Once you have the cab painted, I did the option of red and black or you can do all red. For the tutone, simply mask the red off with a good quality masking tape and paint the top half. Make sure the paint is dry to the touch and carefully remove the tape. Be sure the paint is dry before continuing your assembly.
PIC 20 The running lights and turn signals on the grill were painted turn signal amber. PIC 21 Snap the front grill, running lights into place.
PIC 22 All the parts of the interior were painted as needed. The diamond plate is aluminum, and seats are black. PIC 23 The fire axe was painted brown, red and aluminum. The back of the cab panel red and the window seal was painted black. PIC 24 PIC 25 Snap the parts into place, the axe on the top of the body, the back panel of cab, the steering wheel and shifter into the interior. NOTE: I did apply a small amount of glue to the axe and steering wheel to hold it into place.
PIC 26 PIC 27 Snap in place the chrome gauges, and the chrome cover for the hoses on top. NOTE: I painted the gauges black and white per instructions.
PIC 28 PIC 29 Snap the chrome caps on to each end of the fire hoses. Make sure that you have them correct as there are two different ones. NOTE: I did paint the small straps on the hoses aluminum. Now snap the hoses to the side of the fire truck body. PIC 31 Snap the chrome hose cap (white circle) into the hole on the side of the body. NOTE: I painted the faucet caps white (yellow arrow). Paint the chains and the remaining caps silver.
PIC 32 PIC 33 Paint both the ladder pieces aluminum. Paint the pick black and aluminum. Snap the pick in place first in the bottom holes. Snap the ladder pieces together, make sure the ladders with the ends are to the back. The ladder that is flat is to the front. Now snap the ladder in place to the side of the body where the holes are. NOTE: I did add some glue to the pick so it would stay in place.
PIC 34 PIC 35 Snap handles and light bar on to back of truck body. NOTE: remove the tabs on each side of the handle bars, indicated by the red circles. I painted the two globes transparent red. ***NOTE*** Be sure to snap the light bar in FIRST, then both of the handles. Snap top of handle into the light bar and bottom of handle into the body. PIC 36 PIC 37 The window glass needs to be installed into the cab and the dome on top of the cab.
PIC 37a Gather the sub-assembly and accessory pieces and attach them to the cab to finish up the model. NOTE You must choose either the water cannon or the flood light bank as an option.
PIC 38 & 40 Here are front and rear views of the completed model. PIC 41 There were a few parts and a spare sticker graphic left over that were not required for this build. OVERALL IMPRESSIONS: Revell always puts detail into their kits. As this is a SnapTite kit, it s great for a beginning modeler. There was no motor, but plenty of detail in the chassis. On the down side, it was a solid body which had a lot of hand painting to do. The interior was good for a beginner as it was one piece, but still invites some detail work. All of the parts fit together great and there was very little flashing on the sprues. I only found a few parts that needed a bit extra work and had to be glued in place. The stickers were not water slide decals. This being a skill level 1 kit, it s great for the beginner to learn the art of model building, BUT because of the excessive painting and detail work I would rate this as a Skill Level 2 for the intermediate builder. This kit lends itself to plenty of detail work, and even though it s a SnapTite kit, it can still be made into a highly detailed piece to admire. Overall, it s a good model for the beginner if built right out of the box. But it has too much painting for a beginner to create a visually interesting kit.