1900 LaFrance FDNY Searchlight Engine #1

1900 LaFrance FDNY Searchlight Engine #1

Craftsmen: 3, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

A 1/32 scale model 1900 LaFrance searchlight engine #1. This New York Fire Department horse drawn engine is based on a 4th size steamer with Bullock marine type 5 Kw generator.

1914 American LaFrance Triple Fire Engine

1914 American LaFrance Triple Fire Engine

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

John made this 1/32 scale 1914 American LaFrance triple engine in 1966 using basswood and Bristol Board.

1914 Seagrave City Service Truck

1914 Seagrave City Service Truck

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

For this scale model 1914 Seagrave city service truck, the ladders are basswood with wire rungs, and the gold pin striping was cut from a decal.

1915 Robinson Fire Truck 

1915 Robinson Fire Truck 

Craftsmen: 3, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

A 1/32 scale 1915 Robinson fire truck for Marion FD. Tom Showers built this model in 1951.

1916 American LaFrance Chemical Car

1916 American LaFrance Chemical Car

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

This model 1916 American LaFrance chemical car was built at 1/32 scale, using basswood and Bristol Board.

1917 Seagrave Triple Fire Engine

1917 Seagrave Triple Fire Engine

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

This 1/32 scale 1917 Seagrave triple fire engine was made from basswood and Bristol Board.

1920s Fire Engine With Crew

1920s Fire Engine With Crew

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

This 1920s fire engine with crew was one of Mr. Ackerman’s earliest models.

1921 American LaFrance 75-Foot Aerial Truck

1921 American LaFrance 75-Foot Aerial Truck

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

John measured and drew up plans for this rig while stationed in Albuquerque. The model was built using styrene plastic and basswood strip stock for the aerial ladder, which raises and extends.

1923 American LaFrance Water Tower

1923 American LaFrance Water Tower

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

A scale model 1923 American LaFrance water tower. This was another one of Mr. Ackerman’s earlier models.

1925 American LaFrance Chemical Car

1925 American LaFrance Chemical Car

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

This 1/32 scale model 1925 American LaFrance chemical car was built using sheet styrene plastic and turned aluminum, as well as a basswood.

1932 Seagrave Rescue Car 

1932 Seagrave Rescue Car 

Craftsmen: 3, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

This 1/32 scale 1932 Seagrave rescue car is equipped with an overhead ladder rack, four searchlights, and a compartmentalized body.

1934 Ahrens Fox Model VLU 42

1934 Ahrens Fox Model VLU 42

Craftsmen: 3, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

A 1/32 scale 1934 Ahrens Fox model VLU 42. It’s a standard line quad in an unusual black color.

1934 Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine

1934 Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

Mr. Ackerman built this Ahrens-Fix fire engine using sheet styrene plastic, turned aluminum, and basswood for scaling ladders.

1937 Mack Type 21 Model

1937 Mack Type 21 Model

Craftsmen: 3, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

A 1/32 scale model 1937 Mack Type 21, FDNY. This is a New York Fire Department classic in bright red.

1955 Bedford Aerial Ladder Truck 

1955 Bedford Aerial Ladder Truck 

Craftsmen: 3, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

A 1/32 scale 1955 Bedford aerial ladder truck, Aalborg (Denmark) FD. The apparatus was built on a British Bedford chassis, with a Magirus aerial (a German aerial ladder and apparatus manufacturer).

1960 Bachert Fire Engine

1960 Bachert Fire Engine

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

John was encouraged by his second modeling mentor, Tom Showers, to make this 1/32 scale replica of the German Bachert fire apparatus.

1964 American LaFrance Aerial Truck

1964 American LaFrance Aerial Truck

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

Mr. Ackerman’s first “kit-bashed” model fire truck. It used various parts from the 1/32 scale 1964 Aurora American LaFrance model kit, but the body was scratch-built.

1965 Van Pelt Fire Engine

1965 Van Pelt Fire Engine

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

Using a vacuum-forming machine, John Ackerman molded the styrene plastic cab, fenders, and hood all from hand carved forms.

1969 Crown Triple Fire Engine

1969 Crown Triple Fire Engine

Craftsmen: 1, Array

Knapp Collection #: Array

Catalog #: Array

Array: Array

For this 1/32 scale model 1969 Crown triple fire engine, Mr. Ackerman also incorporated sheet styrene plastic.

Showing 20 of 24 exhibits.

Presented by The Joe Martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship