Seagrave TDA Redwood City 9

FIVE WOWs!

Posted by Larry Lorance on 23rd Jan 2011

The Redwood City, California USA Seagrave Tractor Drawn Aerial (TDA) is the first city specific TDA release from TWH Collectibles. This model was released in April 2010.

Redwood City’s Truck 9 is housed out of Station 9 located at 755 Marshall Street in Redwood City. It is the only TDA in the city. Unfortunately, the engine company that was housed with Truck 9, Engine 9, was decommissioned in December 2010 due to budget cuts. As a result of that decommissioning, Truck 9 is now staffed by a Captain, two Firefighters, and a Firefighter/Paramedic (it was staff by four firefighters). According to the department, “typical responsibilities of Truck Company personnel include conducting primary search of fire building, rescuing trapped victims, ventilation, forcible entry, laddering the fire building, checking for fire extension, accessing concealed spaces, providing ladder-pipe water application, providing above ground access, extricating victims from vehicle collisions with the Jaws of Life, and performing complex rope and other technical rescue operations. Truck Company functions are essential to support suppression efforts of Engine Company personnel. Aerial Truck response is required for structure fires in the region”. Truck 9 is the busiest Truck Company in San Mateo County, California.

This white over dark red model represents some of the best engineering I have seen in over 15 years of collecting. The engineers at TWH Collectibles, along with their partner’s at Seagrave Fire Apparatus, did not miss a single thing on this model. As TWH states on their website; “Our diecast replicas are not toys — they are masterpieces. We view model-making as fine art that requires skill, passion and innovation. Each model goes through a painstakingly detailed process to ensure that it is engineered to meet the TWH Standard. There is a relentless drive within TWH to recreate the actual machine with precision, and to represent the brand as if it was our own. For most artists, their masterpieces are paintings or sculptures. For us, our masterpieces are our models.”

Most model companies take the approach; if the collector can’t easily see it, don’t reproduce it. This is not true with models made by TWH Collectibles. Examples, on this model, are a fully tilting cab that reveals a high detailed engine with that is properly configured. Even the batteries have wires coming off of them. The model can be displayed with the cab in the open or closed position. Underneath the cab the collector can see the highly detailed exhaust system.

The cab itself is reproduced in astonishing detail. The paint, emergency lighting, and diamond plating are perfect. The graphics are all clear and crisp. One of the most surprising details is the model’s suspension works! Another surprise is that the cab’s mirrors are made of metal, not plastic (one suggestion, you us a small amount of glue on the tips of the mirrors to keep them in place). With the exception of the scene lights and some marker lights the emergency lights on the model are reproduced using clear colored plastic. If you take a look inside the cab, you will see a very detailed interior. The grab bar, fabric seatbelts (with connectors), fans, and map storage are all there. Even the word “Seagarve” is on every seat! Cool, really cool !

Behind the cab is the storage cabinets and hydraulic pump for the aerial ladder. Again, TWH did a spectacular job reproducing this area. The detail is breathtaking. Some detail you can only see using a magnifying glass; you can see through the air vents for where the hydraulic pump is located, the nonskid platform, and platform lights are all there too. WOW!

The tiller itself is as close to perfect as you can get on a model. The aerial ladder is made of metal, not plastic. Like the real apparatus, extensive use of diamond plate is used and it appears to be to scale. Both sides of the tiller display accurate graphic and lighting. One item of interest is the electrical cord reels on both sides of the tiller (I keep wondering how they make something so small look so real?). The compartment doors are done so well, you can even see the chrome hinges. The tiller’s rear wheels do steer and, like the cab, the tiller’s suspension is fully functional.

I think most impressive is the tiller’s ladder operator’s podium. If you look real close, you can see the electrical and hydraulics coming from the bottom of the podium.

The tiller cab is great! Like the cab’s mirrors, you will need to install these mirrors. Now if you look inside and you either have very good eyes or a magnifying glass, you can see the fabric seatbelt and tillerman’s headphone. Again, the graphics are clear crisp easy to read.

One recommendation for collector who purchase this model; you MUST purchase a clear display case with mirror case to display this model. The one I use was purchased from Hobby Lobby and measures 15 5/8" x 3 5/8" x 3 1/8" (the case itself can be purchased online). Mine is displayed with the oak base.

TWH Collectibles really hit the mark with the Redwood City Truck 9. Like every model TWH Collectibles release, it is a team effort to reproduce these masterpieces. Redwood City Truck 9 is no exception.

Again, I could write pages on this model but have a limited amount of space. So, I will close by saying, on a scale of 1-5 WOWs I give this model a 5 (If I could give it a 10 of five, I would).