A 1/32 scale model 1937 Mack Type 21, FDNY. This is a New York Fire Department classic in bright red. Although there is much speculation about the reason red became the most popular color for fire trucks, more than likely it was just because people have always associated red with fire. There are certainly many other colors in use around the country and around the world including black, gray, lime yellow, bright yellow, white, green and even purple! The engine was made from basswood, with Renwal’s wrecker kit wheels. The scaling ladders are also basswood with some other turned aluminum parts and accessories.
The late Tom Showers was a prolific builder of model fire engines and an apparatus historian. Many of his over 450 models are on display in fire museums like the one in Los Angeles. We are privileged to have some of his models on display courtesy of model builder and fire apparatus historian, John Ackerman. Tom Showers served as John’s mentor in model making.
