n 1981 FDNY acquired 10 lime green Mack CFs as a field test, their only multiple order for apparatus in that colour (they had bought a single American LaFrance pumper in that colour the year before). Three of them were repainted to red with a white cab roof towards the end of the 1980s. Engine 277 was one of the other seven and was eventually handed over to the NYC Department of Correction who repainted it to their blue and white scheme with orange striping and used it for fire protection in the Rikers Island Prison Complex.

The model is based on the IHC Mack CF pumper which offers, according to Eckart, surprisingly good detail at a bargain price. He notes there are some drawbacks, mainly the cab front, the lack of window "glass" and the diamond treadplate which should have a finer texture. Nevertheless, it is a fine basis for conversions. Eckart changed the front grille using treadplate by Roco and extended the cab to a full four-door model with plastic sheets. Windows were made with Krasel Krystal Kleer. Pump panel and the body sides remained unchanged. The rear end was completely redone to recreate the typical FDNY hose bed arrangement and the booster reel on the rear step. The hose load consists of strips of heavy paper. The hose bed cover is a piece of tissue affixed to wire arches and soaked with glue. Accessory parts are mostly Roco and Preiser, the lightbar is by Herpa. Decals were made by Hobbytown (Don Mills Models) in the late 1980s.

Posted January 10, 2010