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1937 Pirsch,where to start?

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  • Member since
    October 2011
1937 Pirsch,where to start?
Posted by Eng03 on Thursday, October 13, 2011 3:02 PM

 I am looking at  building a 1937 Peter Pirsch ladder truck. Any suggestions on how to get started?

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: The Bluegrass State
Posted by EasyMike on Friday, October 14, 2011 7:14 AM

Look for scale drawings or photographs for references.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, October 16, 2011 10:40 AM

I assume something of that era had a regular (ladder-type) frame.  I would start with the frame, probably from strip stock basswood, maybe styrene.  Not being familiar with the type, I am not sure how best to do the body.  Does it have a lot of compound curves? If so, carving double-curved parts from wood would probably be best.  For flat panels or single curvature, styrene would work fine.

If you can find the scale drawings, fine. If not and you have access to one that you can photograph, here are some tips on photographing to make scale drawings from photos.

Get as far away from subject as possible and use telephoto.  This will reduce perspective errors.

Photograph 4 views (front, rear and both sides) from the middle of each side (end), with camera axis perpendicular to the side/end.  This is very important to reduce perspective errors.

Place a yardstick near or on truck to help with scaling.  Measure one or two important dimensions, like tire OD.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: Burlington,Iowa
Posted by hawkeye2an_L-Bird_fan on Sunday, October 16, 2011 4:31 PM

Excellent tips as usual Don. I have a couple of automotive projects on a back burner, the most difficult pics to find are from above. Some of those curves just need to be seen from above to get them right.

  • Member since
    December 2009
Posted by sacmankc135 on Monday, October 31, 2011 10:44 AM

I'd begin at the site scalefirehouse.com,  and fireengines.net,

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