What's going on with the front wheel arch on this model - it is like an escapee from a monster truck rally!? There are plenty of pictures of the real apparatus on the net (and one on e-bay accompanying an auction) and there is nothing like this on the real thing. It is there on the Hamilton and Wichita, too, but the area behind the wheel is painted black so it is not as obvious. Any thoughts? I have to say I think it looks pretty odd. I have a policy of not taking my paintbrush to any of my diecast but this one might be an exception!

If you don't want to paint over it you can apply "Black Chrome" Bare Metal Foil over it instead. You just cut, peel and stick it on. That way you can peel it off later and still have the original color. Just an thought.

Be Safe,
Bob Powers

Location: Las Vegas

You're right. If you look at the pictures of the older Pierce Dash's, the wheel arch is much closer to the tire. The newer ones have a bigger gap. Almost looks like someone put too small a front tire on the truck

Location: Smyrna,GA

That's the Tak-4 Suspension difference.

I just unboxed mine and immediately noticed the same thing. After comparing the model to the Wichita Pierce, the Fairfax cab sits a smidge higher. Since it looks like both models use the same chassis and cab castings, it looks like the different chromed base might be the source of the jacked up front end. It's a shame really, since the rest of the model seems particularly well done.

Here's a picture of the actual engine. The wheel arch on it doesn't seem as big.
http://www.fairfaxfireofficers.org/images/Apparatus%20for%20Stan/E440%20-%2005%20Pierce.JPG

Location: Smyrna,GA

Wonder why Code 3 stopped putting the mud flaps on models (other than $$ ?)