Transport Models - WW2 AFS/NFS Fire Station.

Transport Model Photos

No: 1120 Contributor: Pete Matten Year: 2010 Manufacturers: Base Toys, BW Models, Scratch built / modified Country: United Kingdom

WW2 AFS/NFS Fire Station.

This model in 1.76 scale shows a typical Inner City WW2 period fire station of the NFS (National Fire Service) totally scratch-built using plasticard and other plastic accessories.This type of building was typical of the large,and small (barns/sheds) buildings up and down the country that were used during the second world war to accommodate fire-fighting vehicles for the National Fire Service,many actually giving many more years service after the disbanding of the NFS back in 1948 to local authorities.
The 3 vehicles in their grey livery of the NFS period with my model are conversions using Base Toys models of a Dodge drop-side and flat-bed lorry,the other conversion using an Albion flat bed lorry.The accessories used for the model are from B.W.Models including the dams,hose,ladders, portable pumps and trailor pumps,etc,etc.
This model covering an important part in the history of fire-fighting in the United Kingdom is now finished and will now be displayed in honour of those that gave so much-The AFS/NFS.

'A Tribute To Our War Dead'.
Through bomb and flame they stood their ground,
with just an axe or branch in hand.
No thought for themselves just others around,
they gave so much protecting our land.

As bomb after bomb fell to the ground,
that terrible noise that terrible sound.
The young and old they all did there bit,
those very brave firemen sadly many now dead.

Many have gone but will not be forgot,
for all that they did and much they could not.
They all did their best in our hour of need,
those hundreds of firemen a very brave breed.

We'll never forget them and all that they did,
to make this world better and life better to live.
God bless the many that have sadly now gone,
we shall remember them freedom and peace cannot be wrong.
'A Tribute To Our War Dead'.
Written in 1987 by Peter C.Matten(Ex-WSFB).

See picture #1118 also

Picture added on 19 July 2010 at 07:49

Comments:

Very nice Pete,obviously a lot of effort has gone into this,i would not like to tackle something like this.
On a personal note,i think it would look better without the fence at the front.

Added by Bristol Bob on 19 July 2010.

Hi Bob,thanks for your comments,also thanks for the tip on where to get those firemen,I'm not really into military models so would never have found them,or that web site.
The actual courtyard and fence are made as seperate parts to the actual model,but for the picture I decided to include it as part of the diarama and this will be how it will be displayed.
Reference your comment on previous picture,yes I will be displaying some of my models at the Odiham Show on 7th/8th August like I've done on all previous years of the Show so look forward to seeing you and anyone else who might like to pop in for a chat.Pete.

Added by Pete Matten on 19 July 2010.

Pete, that is a great model of a very interesting period which I feel does not get the attention it deserves. I am coming to Odiham with my Meccano models so I look forward to seeing your latest ones and having a good chat.

Added by George Illingworth on 20 July 2010.

Thankyou George,it will be nice to meet you and see some of your models,don't pinch all the tables mate.
I've still not started on that horse drawn manual yet (anymore info-make?) and that will be next.I have a couple of different ideas. I've one more model on my list which I'm working on at this time and hopefully it will be ready for the Odiham Show.Pete.

Added by Pete Matten on 20 July 2010.

Pete,there IS one thing missing,an ATV !

Added by Bristol Bob on 20 July 2010.

Out of action at the moment Bob due to air raid damage.Its undergoing work at this time and in workshops but should be back real soon.

Added by Pete Matten on 20 July 2010.

Hi Pete,
Excellent period piece.
Spoke to Brian Baxter last night and he said your modelling was first class and real competion for his own work.

Added by Ian Scott on 10 August 2010.

Thanks Ian for your compliments.There is no way though I could ever compete with Brians scratch-built collection, its just brilliant.

Added by Pete Matten on 10 August 2010.

Good to note that the ATV was back on the run for Odiham, Pete. I was delighted to meet you and to see all your excellent models there.

Added by George Illingworth on 10 August 2010.

Thanks George, it was a pleasure meeting you also, and afew other friends who popped into see us.Lets hope we'll all meet up again next year at the 2011 Odiham Fire Show.

Added by Pete Matten on 10 August 2010.

Great diorama my friend. I am hoping to build something similar, but will have to do something different . Am I right in saying Humbrol no 5 grey is the best colour to use for NFS engines?

Added by Kev Parsons on 21 October 2011.

Kevin, Humbrol no5 is a good match to the real colour, but its gloss.The vehicles were a drab grey and were not gloss, but matt finished.
I use Reville no43, its more or less the same colour, but matt.
After you've applied your tranfers, apply a coat of Humbrol Gloss Cote, this keeps the tranfers on but also gives a nice finish (Satin look) to the vehicle.

Added by Pete Matten on 21 October 2011.

Cheers for the tip on the colour Pete. have been using halfords grey primer lol.

Added by Stevie Murray on 22 October 2011.

Pete; cracking models as always. I must photograph some of mine. I have a copy of the original National Fire Service Instruction 34/1941 dated 23rd oct 41 which details painting and marking of NFS vehicles and equipment. The Grey is BS 381 colour 32 Dark admiralty grey.( now known as 632) Humbrol No 5 is in indeed spot on. One point though; all colours in BS 381 at the time ( WW2 era) were produced in gloss unless specific instructions were given to the contary . The Home Office were very keen on glossy finishes, so much so that when the Austin and Bedford Column rescue vehicles (as per BW models) were introduced and BS 987 SCC2 ( a dark brown similar to dark earth)( All BS 987 were in a matt finish) had been called for as their overall finish the HO instructed the manufacturers and CD vehicle depots to mix the paint with 50% gloss varnish to achieve a glossy finish. The reason was gloss finishes had a far greater durability and could be decontaminated far easier than matt finishes. However, in model terms application of satin varnish over gloss or matt gives an excellent scale gloss finish. Keep up the good work.
Regards TED
ps I always prime my models wether they be white metal, resin or plastic with HALFORDS grey aerosol primer.

Added by Ted Angus on 30 October 2011.

Thankyou for the information Ted, all very helpful to us model makers.I for one always look forward to seeing other modelers exhibits so get clicking away and please let us see some of your models soon.
I have today finally finished another model of a WW11 fire station, in actual fact its based on a real station in Hampshire.I've been working on this latest project since August so I'm really pleased to finally see it finished.There's some extra added features on this latest model which should hopefully get some people talking, but I'm saying no more at this time.

Added by Pete Matten on 30 October 2011.

Pete The NFS period is obviously a favourite with both of us. I am currently working on a BW Austin CD rescue tender. You are possibly aware several on the Bedford chassis and one or two on the Austin chassis went to the NFS as emergency tenders after CD wound down post hostilities. An NFS instruction allowed the repainting of certain classes of appliances into red from october 1945.
I have established the NFS covering Liverpool City received an Austin several months before denationalisation in 1948- so I will be finishing it in red with NFS marks . Look forward to your Hants project
regards TED

Added by Ted Angus on 30 October 2011.

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