Small scale firemen

Geomodeller wrote:

Thanks for the replies. I have checked Preiser but they have nothing and like I said, I just want firemen in 1950's - 1960's civil uniforms, not done up in heavy fireproof suits as per military figures. I did however, notice a set of Preiser policemen which look like they could be transformed into firemen with a little work. If I replace their caps with scratchbuilt helmets, change their uniforms slightly and let the paint colours perform the rest of the illusion, then they might just pass...

 

Just a tip about changing the hats for helmets:  I don't know what you picture for your finished product, but if these are firemen in the US, remember that most fire departments had peaked caps as part of their uniforms, so you might not need to modify the figures at all.

I still have my grandfather's cap, for example, that he had as a fireman in Fullerton PA (a suburb of Allentown).

If you look, you can probably find pictures on the 'Net of similar caps.  They generally followed military styles, except that once we get to the late 40s/early 50s, some caps were made with crowns with distinct sides, so the edges had definite blunt points, as opposed to the round seams on the crowns of military caps.

Unless your firemen are actually at a fire, I suspect they would not wear their helmets, but the caps.

Just an observation!

Regards,

Brad

Good idea, Chris.

I'll have a look at the Plastic Soldier Review website and see if they'll be suitable with some modification.

Best suggestion so far... thanks again. 

The recently-reissued Airfix 1/76 WW1 French Infantrymen wear helmets that look quite a lot like the classic fireman's helmet. Might be worth looking out for them, and maybe using their heads on your policeman bodies.

Thanks for the replies.

I have checked Preiser but they have nothing and like I said, I just want firemen in 1950's - 1960's civil uniforms, not done up in heavy fireproof suits as per military figures.

I did however, notice a set of Preiser policemen which look like they could be transformed into firemen with a little work. If I replace their caps with scratchbuilt helmets, change their uniforms slightly and let the paint colours perform the rest of the illusion, then they might just pass... 

I know of a few sets in HO scale but the only thing I've seen in 1/72 is a set of Navy firefighters and a little fire tractor for an aircraft carrier.

Check Preiser figures.  They have many 1/72 sets of civilian workmen and other figures.  I don't know if they have Firemen, but they might.