
1914 American LaFrance City Service Ladder Truck
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Built in 1966, this city service truck was John’s first attempt at making wooden ladders for a model.

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

1914 Seagrave City Service Truck
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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
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A 1/32 scale 1915 Robinson fire truck for Marion FD. Tom Showers built this model in 1951.

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

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

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

1921 American LaFrance 75-Foot Aerial Truck
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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
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A scale model 1923 American LaFrance water tower. This was another one of Mr. Ackerman’s earlier models.

1925 American LaFrance Chemical Car
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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
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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
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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
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Mr. Ackerman built this Ahrens-Fix fire engine using sheet styrene plastic, turned aluminum, and basswood for scaling ladders.

1937 Mack Type 21 Model
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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For this 1/32 scale model 1969 Crown triple fire engine, Mr. Ackerman also incorporated sheet styrene plastic.
Showing 20 of 24 exhibits.