TWH COLLECTIBLES has taken the art of reproducing model fire apparatus to new heights with the introduction of five 1:50 scale Pierce Quantum Pumpers from the Kern County, California Fire Department (KCFD).

This review will center on KCFD Engine 41.    KCFD Engines 21, 42, 63 and 64 are the other engines being released by TWH.  Here is a rundown of station locations and apparatus quartered at those stations:

Station 21 303 10th St. Taft, CA.	Engine 21	Truck 21	Patrol 21	Battalion 2
Station 41 2214 Virginia Ave. Bakersfield, CA	Engine 41	Truck 41	Patrol 41	Battalion 4
Station 42 2011 Fairfax Rd. Bakersfield, CA.	Engine 42	Patrol 42
Station 63 101 Universe Ave. Bakersfield, CA	Engine 63	Engine 363 (Type III Brush Truck)
Station 64 101 E.  Roberts Lane Bakersfield, CA. 93308	Engine 64	Patrol 64

According to KCFD Deputy Chief Mike Cody, Engines 41, 42, 63, and 64 are 2007 apparatus and are just part of KCFD's 80+ Pierce fleet. Engine 21 is a 2008 and sports different markings than the rest. This engine has the "KRN" on the officer's side front KCFD did not have the California assigned license plates for it when the deadline for the model arrived. So, it was TWH's desire to make all models as accurate as possible, the other four engines have actual license plates on them, but the model of Engine 21 has a personalized plate that reads KERN CO. The real machine has a numbered California exempt plate now that it has been put in service.  

Engine 41 is powered by a 515 horsepower Detroit diesel engine, Allison automatic transmission, TAK-4 ® independent front suspension with airbag rear suspension.  It carries 750 gallons of water and 35 gallons of class "A" foam with 3 five gallon cans of class "B" foam.  It is supplied by a 1500 gallon per minute Waterous single stage pump supplying various outlets including two hard rubber lines on hose reels and a removable monitor on an extend-a-gun-stang.  All KCFD engines carry a full complement of hoses, nozzles, and fittings including Hurst rescue tools and other fire fighting equipment. 

KCFD Engine 41 Photo by John McAdoo

KCFD Engine 41 Photo by John McAdoo

KCFD Engine 41
Photo by John McAdoo

John Moore, TWH Collectibles Director of Product Development explains the relationship between TWH and the KCFD, "The relationship between Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) and TWH Collectibles started with a simple visit by both parties to the Pierce manufacturing facility located in Appleton, WI, in May 2007. At that time, KCFD was performing a final inspection of some new Pierce Quantum Pumpers before taking delivery.  Pierce had recently selected KCFD as a participant for its Quantum Pumper model program. TWH had scheduled a KCFD Quantum Pumper photograph session during that time for purposes of replicating the machines into models. At that meeting, TWH was able to meet multiple members of the KCFD staff including Deputy Chief Michael Cody – an individual responsible for the success of the Kern County Fire Department and also a truly valuable resource and ally for TWH in the making of the KCFD Quantum Pumper models.

Over the course of upcoming months, TWH continued to learn more about KCFD. In April 2008, TWH visited Deputy Chief Cody and KCFD. During that visit, TWH learned of the expansive services KCFD offered, the vast territory for which it was geographically responsible, and the impact the KCFD had on the community it served. This included fire protection for over 650,000 citizens in Kern County with a range of services including (but not limited to) responding to structure fires, fighting wild land fires, attending to vehicle accidents, deploying HAZMAT teams, performing helicopter rescues, providing urban search and rescue services, offering airfield crash rescue services, deploying strike teams and assisting multiple adjacent fire response units, and performing public education services. Upon commencement of that visit, it was mutually understood that a win-win situation was at hand. It was immediately agreed upon to pursue a KCFD family of models so Deputy Chief Cody could succeed in promoting the KCFD message to local and national communities. "

Johns lets us in on a little secret when he admits "The Pierce Quantum Pumper is the first of multiple models to be made for Deputy Chief Cody and KCFD."

The model is hand built using about 175 parts.  The model's dimensions are: 

• Length: 8" (203mm)
• Width: 2" (51mm)
• Height: 2.5" (64mm)
• Weight: 0.95 lbs. (0.43kg)

The model features a tilting cab that lifts open to reveal a detailed diesel engine and transmission. The mechanism that locks the cab in place is really a great piece of engineering. This mechanism is barely noticeable, allowing the collector to display the model with the cab tilted open. Additionally, just like in the real apparatus, there is a device that keeps the cab in the open position.

Engine 41 with cab open notice detailed plumbing Click on Photo to Enlarge

Model with cab open Click on Photo to Enlarge

There is also a pivoting ladder rack with removable extendable ladder. The extension ladder is a workable representation of a three section ladder. Additionally, the top section can easily be removed and displayed as a roof ladder.

The model also features opening diamond plated top hose crosslay doors. The diamond plate throughout this model is to scale and very well done.

The hose in the hose bed is made of molded plastic and is highly detailed. At one point, TWH Collectibles considered using a different hose material, but could not find anything they could reproduce to the scale and detail found in molded plastic. On top of the hose are a number of tools. The hose is not weathered, which might not sit well with some collectors.

The rollup compartment doors and handles are impressive. They are highly detailed and to scale. Unlike the doors on the Oshkosh Striker® models, these rollups do not open.

Engine 42 with pivoting ladder rack and opening crosslay doors

These models actually have rotating hose reels.  This is something I never noticed until it was pointed out to me by a fellow collector.  The hose and nozzles are accurate and to scale.  Even the piping to the hose reel is reproduced in great detail.  Over and over, you see the quality that TWH Collectibles builds into their models.  As one collector put it, "you can look at this model all day and never capture every detail."

Engine 42 showing rotating hose reels and opening cover for crosslays

I have never been a real fan of steerable wheels, until now. The steerable wheels, or as I like to call them "poseable wheels", really add to the static display of this model. In keeping with TWH Collectibles "relentless drive to recreate the actual machine" they added functioning suspension, a rotating radiator fan and antenna.

Without question, the most spectacular features of this model are the realistic air, hydraulic and electrical hose and wire lines just like those of the real Pierce Quantum. I can't imagine the time it takes to reproduce this.
There is also under-frame mounted lighting as shown in the photo below.