PlaymoFriends

General => Report & Review => Topic started by: playmofire on September 25, 2009, 18:50:22

Title: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 25, 2009, 18:50:22
I've just got another DS order through (placed on the 16th Sept and received on the 24th!) of parts from the new fire equipment, so here are some mini reviews partly with the aim of showing how the parts can (or cannot) be used with the 3880.  The equipment I've got is the ventilation fan, the new suction hose, the new axes and the beater.  We'll start with the axes and the beater.

The new design of fire brigade axe comes in a large and small version and is supplied as one pair of each.  The UK price is 30p.  The two axes are broadly the same design with a chopping blade and a prising spike, ideal, too, I imagine for breaking double-glazed windows to gain access.  As you can see, the large version is a hefty instrument and wouldn't look out of place in a mediaeval scene.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 25, 2009, 18:54:50
The beater is used for dealing with grass or other vegetation fires literally by beating the flames out.  It comes in units of one and the UK cost is 20p.  In the second photo you can see it in action at a small grass fire, probably set by bored children at the end of the school holidays.

I'll review the ventilation fan and suction hose later this evening or over the weekend.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Rasputin on September 25, 2009, 19:24:55
Hey that looks like a lego fire . let it burn
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 25, 2009, 20:30:18
Excellent review so far, Gordon! It makes me want the accessories even more  :P, but I have to agree with Ras, has LEGO infiltrated your Playmo world  :hmm:?
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: baden-wurttemberg on September 25, 2009, 20:47:46
Cool equitement you got there Gordon.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 25, 2009, 20:51:25
Hey that looks like a lego fire . let it burn

You're quite right, Ras and Bill, it is a Lego fire.  I have about half a dozen for depicting small scale fires.  If Playmobil made a similar sized one, then I'd use it.  The disadvantage of the large Playmobil flames is the face it it, but I try to ignore that and use them anyway.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Rasputin on September 25, 2009, 21:21:41
We are waiting for those new tools here in the US and look forward to their arrival now that you have shown them

PS: I am sure you must know of the two small faceless flames 30 05 0040 & 30 07 6930 ( you could cut off the peg )
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 25, 2009, 21:40:17
We are waiting for those new tools here in the US and look forward to their arrival now that you have shown them

PS: I am sure you must know of the two small faceless flames 30 05 0040 & 30 07 6930 ( you could cut off the peg )

Oh yes, I've got those too but they're not the right sort for, say, a grass fire.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 25, 2009, 21:41:32
Hey Gordon, I noticed your new style female firefighter figure, do all of the new figures have the flesh colored hands that need the full gloves for protection? Which set did you get her in, or did you get her as a DS order extra?
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Rasputin on September 25, 2009, 23:27:58
Those axes almost look like Pulaski axes , what a great tool  :)9

(http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/6935/pulaskiaxe.jpg) (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/pulaskiaxe.jpg/)
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Gepetto on September 26, 2009, 01:31:24
The smaller axe reminds me of a naval boarding axe.




Gepetto
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 26, 2009, 02:01:26
My favorite firefighting entry tool was the Halligan Pro Bar Tool  :)9!
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 26, 2009, 02:52:59
Hey Gordon, I noticed your new style female firefighter figure, do all of the new figures have the flesh colored hands that need the full gloves for protection? Which set did you get her in, or did you get her as a DS order extra?
I don't know about "all", Bill, but the three I have so far do all have flesh-coloured hands.  The female firefighter came with the fire station set I bought.  The idea of flesh-coloured hands for figures which might wear work gloves started with the THW sets.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 26, 2009, 04:24:59
I don't know about "all", Bill, but the three I have so far do all have flesh-coloured hands.  The female firefighter came with the fire station set I bought.  The idea of flesh-coloured hands for figures which might wear work gloves started with the THW sets.

Uh Oh! I'm not going to like that new design, it was standard on previous versions of the USA firefighter figures, & I didn't like it on them either  :no:!
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 26, 2009, 06:39:56
Uh Oh! I'm not going to like that new design, it was standard on previous versions of the USA firefighter figures, & I didn't like it on them either  :no:!

I like it, Bill, it adds a little bit extra realism when the firefighters aren't fighting fires etc.  It always looked a bit strange to see them, say, taking a break and apparently wearing gloves, even when the cuffs were taken off.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Richard on September 26, 2009, 13:04:16



The beater is used for dealing with grass or other vegetation fires literally by beating the flames out.



Thanks, Gordon. Your reviews are interesting and educational. I always seem to learn something new about the world of firefighting.

I'm a bit curious about what a real "beater" is made out of and how heavy it is.

At first I thought that it was a broom, but when I zoomed in on your picture, I could see that it is definitely NOT a broom.

Thanks again for your enjoyable edutainment!

All the best,
Richard
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Martin Milner on September 26, 2009, 13:49:23
The beater is used for dealing with grass or other vegetation fires literally by beating the flames out.  It comes in units of one and the UK cost is 20p.  In the second photo you can see it in action at a small grass fire, probably set by bored children at the end of the school holidays.


Or by a bottle thrown from a car window by a careless motorist.

Hey that looks like a lego fire . let it burn

:lol: ;D ;D


I'm a bit curious about what a real "beater" is made out of and how heavy it is.

At first I thought that it was a broom, but when I zoomed in on your picture, I could see that it is definitely NOT a broom.



Ones I've seen in the UK have a large flap of rubber on a broom-like handle.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Richard on September 26, 2009, 13:53:43



Ones I've seen in the UK have a large flap of rubber on a broom-like handle.




Thanks, Martin ...

I've never seen a "beater" used in the States (or in Canada). Doesn't mean that they don't use them ... I've just never seen them used.

Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 26, 2009, 17:10:25
Or by a bottle thrown from a car window by a careless motorist.

:lol: ;D ;D
 

Ones I've seen in the UK have a large flap of rubber on a broom-like handle.

In general, UK fire brigades seem to use the sort of beater Martin describes, a wooden handle with a leather flap attached.  Sometimes, the handle is the length of a broom handle and the leather flap about the size of a spade, but I have also seen a short handled version with a narrow, maybe three or four inch wide leather strap.  However, Continental brigade appear to have a beater like the Playmobil one which seems to be made of narrow metal "blades" hinged at the handle.  I do have a photo of a French fire jeep with one of these but it is in a book in store at the moment.  I do remember that in the photo the "blade" end is at about 15 degrees below the horizontal, suggesting that it is hinged.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 26, 2009, 19:33:32
Now to the PPV (positive pressure ventilation) fan, used for clearing buildings of smoke and fumes.  This comes from the new turntable ladder and it wasn't until I had the parts in my hands that I realised that it appeared to be an electric powered fan and so I also needed the generator from the new turntable ladder appliance to have everything complete.  (In fact, I hadn't ordered the cable although it's shown on the first photo showing the parts and part numbers, but I had one spare already.) 

On the assumption that the fan was meant to be electric powered, I started to assemble it by slotting the cable into the spindle the rotor blade rotates on (photo 2) and then slipped the rotor blade on.  Finally, I slotted the grille/rotor/cable assembly into the body of the fan, having earlier fitted the axle/wheel assembly to the body.  Note the lug which sits in a corresponding slot in the base of the fan body.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 26, 2009, 19:40:28
So here's the fan alll assembled and then being demonstrated by one of the new fire crew.  However, notice that the cable has now come adrift!   The close-up of the rear of the fan certainly suggests that the cable is meant to fit in, so maybe I did something wrong; I will experiment further.  However, with a bit of reshaping work the motor unit from  the new rescue gear/paint sprayer set can be fitted to the fan to give a petrol-powered version.

Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 26, 2009, 19:44:54
Finally, tests show that the fan unit will fit in  both the 3880 side compartment and in the 3182 turntable ladder open storage spaces.  I plan to buy the generator unit and see if that can also be fitted to the 3182 in the spare open storage space on the operator's side of the turntable.

The last photo shows the new turntable ladder with the generator identified on it.

There is just the new suction hose to review now and I'll do that tomorrow, Sunday.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 26, 2009, 20:00:57
One thing I forgot to mention was the cost of each item.

30 05 1680 - 15p

30 20 2632 - 30p

30 20 2622 - 15p

30 20 2612 - 25p


Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 26, 2009, 20:12:54
Now you've gone, & done it Gordon, more got to haves  :-\! Your excellent reviews are a great selling tool for PM's DS department! They should offer these items to you free of charge to sell them as demonstration tools  :lol:!
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: FireChief on September 27, 2009, 00:56:59
Wow! Great reviews, Gordon. I really like the realism of the new tools. The fans are great and are definitely on the "things to get" list. Thanks for the review. What motor have you placed on the back of the fan?


  - Ben
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 27, 2009, 01:03:59
I like it, Bill, it adds a little bit extra realism when the firefighters aren't fighting fires etc.  It always looked a bit strange to see them, say, taking a break and apparently wearing gloves, even when the cuffs were taken off.

I understand what you mean Gordon, but the gloves that are used, are much too large, & look like a hockey goalies gloves, which would interfere in regular job duties in my opinion :no:!
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Martin Milner on September 27, 2009, 05:53:39
Now to the PPV (positive pressure ventilation) fan, used for clearing buildings of smoke and fumes. 

I was suprised to se this, my first thought was that such a device might increase the risk by putting fresh oxygen into a burning building.

So I googled this: http://www.firetactics.com/PPV.htm         Interesting stuff!

Regarding the beaters, the ones I've seen (now you say it, leather makes more sense than rubber for the flapper) were for public use, normally standing in racks at campsites and picnic areas, in the Lake District and Peak District.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 27, 2009, 06:59:31
Wow! Great reviews, Gordon. I really like the realism of the new tools. The fans are great and are definitely on the "things to get" list. Thanks for the review. What motor have you placed on the back of the fan?


  - Ben

It's the motor from the new rescue gear, which also seems to be the same one as was used with the paint sprayer.  Certainly, they are interchangeable.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 27, 2009, 07:03:18
I was suprised to se this, my first thought was that such a device might increase the risk by putting fresh oxygen into a burning building.

So I googled this: http://www.firetactics.com/PPV.htm         Interesting stuff!

Regarding the beaters, the ones I've seen (now you say it, leather makes more sense than rubber for the flapper) were for public use, normally standing in racks at campsites and picnic areas, in the Lake District and Peak District.
Thanks for that link, Martin.  I shall follow that up for some close study, not just on the PPV.

The beaters used by the fire brigades are just like those set out for the public in the National Parks.  Rubber is used for them as well as leather, but it has the disadvantage that with a lot of use at a fire it can soften and thus become less effective.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 27, 2009, 10:14:10
The last equipment to be reviewed here is the new suction hose.  This is very exactly measured on the German pattern of suction hose, as you'd expect with Playmobil being a German firm.  Suction hose is specially reinforced hose used when pumping water from, for example, a pond or lake.  Sucking the water through a hose puts pressure on the hose walls causing them to be drawn in and if the pressure is enough the hose can collapse, reducing the flow of water.  The reinforcement in the walls of the suction hose prevents this happening.  Suction hose is really only needed when pumping from a still water source or a stream or river because it's in these cases that the highest pumping pressures are needed.  When drawing water from a hydrant the normal water pressure reduces the pumping pressure needed and so in this case normal, soft hose can be used.

First, the parts that make up the hoses.  Each hose consists of three parts, the hose body and two connectors.  In addition, there is a suction basket with a filter which are used to filter out leaves and debris to prevent this clogging the pump.  Unfortunately, I missed the filter on my list when ordering so from that point of view this review is incomplete.  The costs of the parts are as follows:

30 81 5872 - 10p

30 20 1422 - 15p - I ordered 8 of these and received one small sealed bag containing 8.  I imagine that this is how they are packed for the 4821 pump, 6 plus 2 spares.

30 20 1432 - 20p

A connector slots into each end of a length of hose.  The strainer basket has the connector moulded into it.  The complete set is three lengths of hose and one strainer basket with filter, the filter being the piece not shown as I missed ordering it.  I'll post a photo of the complete strainer basket from the web in a later post.  The connectors for the hose lengths are beautiful scaled down working versions of the real thing.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 27, 2009, 10:45:01
So how does the new suction hose fit in with the existing 3880 fire engine?  The answer is it does and it doesn't.  It can be stored on the roof in the recessed area, although it is at the expense of other equipment such as brooms and shovels.  If it is to be stored in the rear storage compartment (where the portable pump goes) it is too long, but could be trimmed down easily enough.  My new slide out storage system can take it, but it does mean putting in an extra slide out above the hose one and, of course, it is at the expense of other storing other equipment.  Quarts and pint pots come to mind!  None of this is really a criticism of Playmobil as, after all, the 3880 has been going now for over 10 years and is smaller than the new fire engine and so complete compatibility cannot be expected.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 27, 2009, 10:56:41
Turning to using the new suction with the 3880 at a fire, if like me you have used the pump part from the portable pump as the major pump on a 3880, then there is a problem as the new suction and the pump part are incompatible.  On the new fire engine Playmobil solve the problem by using a new rear pump panel with a new style connector moulded in and the old pump unit mounted above this.  However, by removing the towing hook of the 3880 and trimming off the lugs on one of the new connectors it is possible to fit the connector in place of the towing hook and use that as a rear pump inlet.

A drawback of the new suction hose is that a klicky cannot hold it, and the holders used to carry, for example, the water pipes in the construction Superset are too large for the hose.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: FireChief on September 27, 2009, 21:44:48
That's a very interesting part there, Gordon. I like the new fittings, as close to actual storz fittings as they can make.  8-)

So I take it you are getting these parts through the UK direct service? Do you think the US has these in stock already?


  - Ben
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 27, 2009, 21:58:31
That's a very interesting part there, Gordon. I like the new fittings, as close to actual storz fittings as they can make.  8-)

So I take it you are getting these parts through the UK direct service? Do you think the US has these in stock already?


  - Ben

Hi Ben,  if the UK can get them, I'd have thought that US should be able to, but then with what I read about US DS, maybe not.
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: Jimbo on September 28, 2009, 14:10:10
Wow, Playmofire,

This is an interesting review.  Great work on the equipment :wow:.
I don't think I have seen a "real" beater...but I've stomped out
a few brush fires ;D.

Very well done!

Best regards,
Jimbo
Title: Re: More reviews of the new fire equipment
Post by: playmofire on September 29, 2009, 08:21:50
Thank you everyone for your positive comments on the reviews; they are much appreciated.