Another in my occasional series of Chicago-themed service vehicles.
This is AMT/Ertl's 1/25 "Rescue 911 Ambulance," the last retooling of MPC's venerable (and excellent) Dodge Van series. This version kept the basics of the stock late-70s Dodge B300 Tradesman van, but added a peculiar grill configuration apparently designed to approximate a later 80's appearance without actually doing the necessary retooling of the bodywork. The kit had no ambulance features whatsoever beyond the lightbars and decals. It actually retained the "disco cruiser" interior of an earlier release with bench seats, wood shingle paneling and quilted padding throughout.
I picked the kit up on eBay several years ago intending to use it with some aftermarket ambulance decals I had, but I quickly determined I'd be better off scratchbuilding an ambulance "box" on a regular Ford truck chassis. So this kit was in limbo...until one day I ran across a photo of a sunbleached and rusting 80's-vintage Bell telephone van, an all-too-common sight back in the day when there was only ONE telephone company for everybody. (Hence the quote above, from the 60's comedy "The President's Analyst.")
I "dialed in" (pun intended, I'm sorry) on a 1980 timeframe since the bodywork and dash details of the kit are closest to that model year. I decided to leave the grill as-is, though it's only pressed in place on the actual model, in case I feel the need to accurize it some time later. I managed to cut open and articulate the rear doors without destroying the lovely molded detail, then set to work making shelves, bins, toolboxes and assorted equipment. About halfway through I realized a roofrack and ladder would be required, so (after looking for an aftermarket ladder and finding none I liked) I made those as well. Internet photos provided lots of ideas and images of original equipment (like the iconic hardhat and the blue and yellow toolbox).
Paints were Tamiya acrylics. The biggest surprise for me (being an airplane guy at heart) was that the authentic original light olive of the Bell System vehicles is essentially a lightened RLM 02 color. Go figure. All markings were done up on my laptop (MS Paint and Open Office) and printed on my HP inkjet using BareMetal's "Experts Choice" decal paper. Little touches like the ladder and fire extinguisher markings, keypads for the lineman's test-sets, and correct license and city sticker details help "sell" the illusion and were the real fun of the project.
It took about a month of off-and-on work, but I had a blast doing it. I hope you enjoy it.
