The City of London Fire Brigade sent out a request for a vehicle capable of navigating the narrow streets either as First at the Scene-Command and Control or a Fire Tender. This was to be based on an existing commercial vehicle (off the shelf).
 SJMcColm Engineering Ltd Transport Division proposed using the new Austin FX4 London Black Taxi as Taxis had been used by the Volunteer Fire Service during World War II.
 The front end of the taxi could be kept leaving the rear to be converted, weight and cornering would be an issue so the mechanics built a test rig, trials concluded that speeds of upto 40mph in controlled conditions would stop the vehicle from tipping over a recommendation of 30mph would be appropriate.
A engine with a transfer box to provide power for the pump and accessories. Two teams of mechanics worked on the engines. One going down the route of a diesel the preferred choice of the London Cabbie and the other a petrol possibly a small block V8. Both would provide the adequate torque. Both designs had to carry an adjustable ladder,  water pump (fire hydrant or village pond for the water supply), buckets filled with sand and cutting equipment. A driver and two Fire Fighters.

There are several 1/24 Austin FX4 model kits available. Some have the ability to be motorised but all are basically the same when it comes to the construction.
I will use parts from the Italeri 1/24 Land Rover Fire Truck.

Bad idea well when was the last time you rode in a Austin FX4 with 4x4.

Nice, although might actually be a good idea in London traffic! I'd like to see if you could find a wheeled escape ladder in 1/24!

Quote from: Mossie on March 01, 2025, 07:05:26 AMNice, although might actually be a good idea in London traffic! I'd like to see if you could find a wheeled escape ladder in 1/24!

I might have to scratch build the wheeled ladder but I have found a hydraulic ladder online which might fit in the back of the cab. It's on a  die-cast VW T.2 Fire Truck. So more than one model will be built.

I saw F4XX and thought of a Phantom dropping fire retardant!
Although that might qualify as a bad idea too! How many fire retardant filled napalm containers could a Phantom carry? At least it would make it to the fire area quickly.

Got another idea to turn the Austin FX4 into a Police Car, well a few countries have used the VW Beetle, so put the decals and add a blue light. Could have been one of the contenders for the Panda Car.

Quote from: Mossie on March 01, 2025, 07:05:26 AMNice, although might actually be a good idea in London traffic! I'd like to see if you could find a wheeled escape ladder in 1/24!

I have a 1/32 one from the airfix dennis kit

A formal requirement or just summat
the firefighters Fred and Wilf came up
when at the pub havin' a few after shift? Which they bodged together at Wilf's brother-in-law's lockup?

The ladder would, of course, be made of scaffold pipe.

Number 1 Maritime Headquarters Uniit Royal Auxiliary Air Force was based at RAF Northolt having moved from Valency House Northwood. When I was in the process of getting my airfield driving licence I qualified to drive an RAF fire engine and the Range Rover Commander. Although the Commander does have six wheels only the first four are all wheeled drive. Great in a straight line but when the rear tank is fully loaded handling becomes an issue. As the airfield is very boggy in places I would have thought that they would of used a hovercraft.

On my way home from work on the bus I passed several Ambulance depots which are using the  LEVC electric taxis as response vehicles. They have the London Ambulance livery I didn't see any lights on the roof but I think that there's a siren and the blue flashing lights in the grill plus the headlights.

Another bad idea could be the DeLorean DMC, this should have been a good car if they had stuck with the original engine and design. Reminds me of the Canadian built car but I think that this will become a future whiff.

Having read a few of the Revell 1/24 London Black Taxi kit reviews it seems that 90% of the build will be following the instructions. I will be keeping the rear facing fold-up seats but the divider between the driver and passengers will be missing. Some work will be required for the rear bench seat to allow for the installation of the hose. All of the equipment from the Italeri Fire Truck will be used.
If I can get hold of the parts for the Panda Police car, well they used the Morris 1000 so it's not that bad and a ambulance would require the rear windows to be replaced plus a pair of barn doors, maybe I could raise the roof using a plastic container/tray.

I'm using the 1/24 Japanese Aoshima London Black Cab and photos of the Austin FX3 Volunteer Fire Service vehicle as a point of reference.
Just like the FX3 I have removed the passenger front door which will house the hose pipe reel. I have trimmed the door to fit as a divider the other side of the gearbox tunnel. The dashboard has been trimmed to fit and a little bit of filler used on the back of the rear facing folding seats. The front steering rack is in place with the rear axle. I've only used one wheel spacer so the bodyshell overhangs the rear wheels.
Dry testing of the roof rack and front pump mounted bracket. It looks like I will need some more parts from the Land Rover Fire Truck than I had planned.
Photos will be posted on the weekend.

This is sounding more interesting the more time passes Mac 

Quote from: Wardukw on March 17, 2025, 06:21:36 PMThis is sounding more interesting the more time passes Mac 

I've just received next month's roster and it seems that I have a lot of  spare time on my hands, so another project could be built.

You know, using an FX4 (suitably modified) as a fire tender wouldn't be a bad idea.