A 1/32 scale 1934 Ahrens Fox model VLU 42. It’s a standard line quad in an unusual black color. Many volunteer fire departments in the eastern part of the country continue to paint their apparatus in colors other than red. Tom replicated many such rigs in a variety of colors schemes. This model was made from basswood, with wheels from an Aurora kit, and turned aluminum for many of the small parts. The ladders are basswood beams with both spaghetti and bamboo rungs.
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.
