January
13
2010
The final details of the contest should be posted soon so get those builds finished! There are all ready some great sponsors offering prizes which so far include Models By Dave, American Industrial Truck Models, IPMS, Diecast and Decals, Gators Paint Masks and of coarse The Scale Firehouse. Continue Reading »
December
17
2009
Part 4 Modeling details 1920-56: colors, markings and emergency warning devices.
By Aaron Woods
Parts 2 & 3 discussed the basics of USFS markings. Here I will provide more detail needed to model vehicles from the early “dark green” period.
December
17
2009
Part 3 Colors and markings used on Forest Service vehicles 1965-2009
By Aaron Woods
In the mid 1960s there was another change in markings. The red, white & blue shield was replaced with a small (6”) brown & white USFS shield. A solid brown box with white trim replaced the earlier white outline. The use of radio ID numbers started to appear on fire vehicles in the early 1970s.
(International Loadstar, Model 51, Sierra National Forest)
December
12
2009
Part 2 Colors and markings 1905-1965
By Aaron Woods
Before getting into specifics it should be explained that from the very beginning the USFS has been run as a decentralized organization allowing the individual regions and forests much autonomy in their operations. As a result there are a lot of exceptions to the rule when it comes to the vehicles used by the agency.
In the early days of the agency, vehicles were often the personal property of the employee and were marked at the discretion of the local forest. Most simply had a removable sign on the front and / or sides to identify it as an official vehicle.
(Pierce Arrow truck, Sierra National Forest)
December
12
2009
Part 1: The United States Forest Service
By Aaron Woods
(1915 Model T Speeder, Sierra National Forest)
Before I get into the vehicles used by the USFS a little background of the agency is required.
The USFS was created in 1905 to manage the Forest Reserves designated during the 1890s. The USFS is the only Federal wildland fire agency under the Department of Agriculture, the other 4 large agencies (National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife, and Bureau of Indian Affairs) being under the Department of the Interior.
