Kingsman Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 For those of you of the airfield support vehicle persuasion, Ace have just released an Alvis Salamander in 1/72. These served the RAF from about '63-78. Completes their set of the FV600 family. Sprue shots here: https://www.hobby.dn.ua/ace-ace-72434-651-salamander-mk6-crash-tender-p-93783.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 Nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 Cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 I rather like that, my scale too. It reminds me of a Matchbox airport crash tender I had as a kid, one of these or similar. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1xena Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 Steve I was about to say the same thing! I had one as well....an “Alvis Foamite Crash Tender” apparently produced by Matchbox between 1964 and 1968. There is a real one on display at the RAF Museum at Hendon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 According to this, the Matchbox model was a Salamander bodied by Foamite, the Ace kit looks like the one bodied by Pyrene, still won't stop me buying one though. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted September 3, 2019 Author Share Posted September 3, 2019 RAF only had the Pyrene type. RAF Museum have 23AG76. The Museum of RAF Firefighting at Scampton have one too, 23AG56 - apparently the first one delivered. 23AG70 still exists in private hands and there are supposedly another couple still around including a yellow one at Headcorn Airfield in Kent. 23AG56 is the only known runner, although like most vintage vehicles it isn't always running. There may be others lurking in yards and lock-ups. RCAF bought some Pyrene types also, although slightly differently equipped. Only 1 is known to exist, now belonging to a film prop company. 7 were built by Foamite for South Africa: don't know if SAAF or civil. I believe these were the only Foamites. There was at least 1, possibly 2, for driver training without the full rear top hamper. 26AG62 was one. At least one Salamander was converted into an open-top bus for beach-front tours at Skegness in the 80's, later converted into a fun off-roader with a Renault diesel engine. That's my kind of fun! Another was used as a logging tractor. For those interested, the Salamander chassis sales manual can be found here on the Alvis archive. https://alvisarchive.com/fighting-vehicles/salamander/ Alvis proposed a GS load carrier version, effectively the prototype of what later became the amphibious Stalwart. For those who want something green, the Army had a Salamander converted into a water cannon for use in The Troubles. Only 1, I believe. This would be a nice conversion of the Ace kit (below) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1xena Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 That is so cool! And an Alvis Stalwart...I had a BP Exploration Matchbox toy of that too. Wasn’t aware of the connection. Great information. Thanks! Tania Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 1 hour ago, F1xena said: BP Exploration Matchbox toy of that too Snap. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayprit Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 Worthy of note is that, 3 separate Driver training vehicles, designated FV653 were built, the first 3 off the production line they were fitted with a cab and no rear bodywork except for ballast tanks. They were delivered via Cosford to the No 4 School of Mechanical Transport at St.Athan, near Cardiff, in September 1962. Where they were issued out in 1957 RAF school of firefighting at Sutton-on-Hull. Two of these were planned for redeployment at the RAF training College at Manby and at RAF Syreston It is worth noting that from1970 all defence firefighting vehicles were painted olive drab and the Mk6 was no exception. Information provided from Alvis Saracen Family by Bill Munro http://miliblog.co.uk/?cat=161 Which can be found in the top right corner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 It was not easy to build, but it's finish, many problems with the decals. https://www.flickr.com/photos/21603181@N08/50069118447/in/dateposted/ modelldoc 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paws4thot Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 I also had the Salamander and Stalwart, oh and similar (to an 8 YO anyway) size Saracen and Saladin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 On 4/11/2021 at 11:19 AM, modelldoc said: It was not easy to build, but it's finish, many problems with the decals. It looks good to me! Where did you have problems with the build? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 The kit (it's an ACE) is tricky in general. The chassis has a lot of small parts. You build the body from inside to outside, not easy, but in all, it works. modelldoc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paws4thot Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 On 11/04/2021 at 16:19, modelldoc said: It was not easy to build, but it's finish, many problems with the decals. Looks good to me too, with the note that the asbestos suit should possibly be more white, and more matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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