1/25 AMT NYPD Chevy Police Van

[Rusty92]

So is this van a G20 or G30? I've heard it was a 72 model and they didn't make G30s then if I understand correctly. And if it's a G20 is it a 6 lug?

[Rob Hall]

I'd assume this kit is much the same as the Fire Rescue Van version reissued a few years ago.  That kit says 'chevyvan 30' on the front fenders, and has 5 lug wheels.  It's an early 70s model. 

[Rusty92]

18 minutes ago, Rob Hall said:

I'd assume this kit is much the same as the Fire Rescue Van version reissued a few years ago.  That kit says 'chevyvan 30' on the front fenders, and has 5 lug wheels.  It's an early 70s model. 

Thanks Rob.

[SfanGoch]

On 8/26/2018 at 5:47 PM, Lordmodelbuilder said:

As for what the year of van it is, the dashboard says it's a 71 or 72.

The problem with this kit is that it's a phantom vehicle and doesn't represent a vehicle used by the NYPD in the early '70s. Aside from the Suburbans used by the Emergency Services Unit as REPs, Broncos used by the Central Park Precinct, Ford Boyesmaster vans (Paddy Wagons) circa 1965 (ignore the red dome on the Beacon Ray 175. This is a restoration and a correct clear dome wasn't available)

and Galaxies in 1970, NYPD used only Mopars through the '70s. Afterward, Ford E-Series vans were used as motor transports/ prisoner transports to Central Booking. Ford is still the make used today. NYPD also used Chevy/GMC G-Series vans for a short time in the early 1980s, though:

That classic green/black/white scheme was used until 1972. Also note that the door shield for this scheme is different

than the one shown in this decal sheet:

That door shield was used when the paint scheme for NYPD vehicles was changed to blue/white in '73:

About that decal sheet....I don't know where it came from; but, don't even think about using the yellow NYPD markings. They were never used on any real police fleet vehicles. The correct decals for NYPD vehicles to 1972

are available on ebay . The seller's ebay name is policedcalsanddeals and he has literally hundreds of different sets covering P.D.'s from around the country.

Lastly, if one were to model an early '70s van, ditch the red and blue beacon domes. From 1963-71, the standard setup on RMPs and vans was the Federal Beacon Ray 175-H and Pulsator siren. The 175-H had a clear dome, 3 red and one amber light. The two opposing red lights were oriented one canted up and the other down.

In 1972, Signal Stat revolving lights with clear domes were used with the same light setup as previously and the Pulsator Siren was also used.

From '73-77 Signal Stat light bars were used on NYPD vehicles,

with 4 lamp revolving light at each end of bar, 2 red 2 white lamps electronic siren middle of bar, barrel light between siren and each revolving light flashing red front amber rear. Custom Squads Models by Tony, among other police accessories, makes the proper beacons and sirens. They also produce light bars for later vehicles. 

[SfanGoch]

Deleted. Multiple post.

Edited December 12, 2018 by SfanGoch

[SfanGoch]

Deleted. Multiple post.

Edited December 12, 2018 by SfanGoch
Triple post

[Oldmopars]

So do we know yet if this will have the back windows? The rescue van has no back windows cut out. If the rear windows are there I may have to buy one of these and use it, save my rescue van for another project.

[Casey]

36 minutes ago, Oldmopars said:

So do we know yet if this will have the back windows? The rescue van has no back windows cut out.

Are you asking if separate, clear rear door windows will be included, or if the body shell itself will have the rear door window openings molded open?

[Oldmopars]

1 hour ago, Casey said:

Are you asking if separate, clear rear door windows will be included, or if the body shell itself will have the rear door window openings molded open?

Does the body have the openings cut. Not going to buy the kit just for the glass, I can make that. But if it is cut, that would be nice.

[Casey]

7 hours ago, Oldmopars said:

Does the body have the openings cut. Not going to buy the kit just for the glass, I can make that. But if it is cut, that would be nice.

I guess we'll have to  wait and see. The rear windows (with cross-hatch screen(?) detail) are prominently shown on the box art, but that's no guarantee of anything. It would be a nice surprise to see the rear doors revert to the molded-open-windows state, but I don't know if that'll happen.

I don't think they will be. The rear door window openings appear to have last been 'open' when the upper quarter panels were still handled with inserts, so I don't expect ant changes from the last issue, body-wise. I expect two decals will be included to represent the rear windows this time around. Here's an original issue Police Van body, on which you can see the openings:

Edited December 13, 2018 by Casey

[slusher]

I agree if the rear windows are molded open then I want one...

[Rusty92]

I'd be in it for one of these if the windows are molded open. Just bought the fire van but what is one more.

 

[ss2000]

On 12/12/2018 at 5:18 PM, slusher said:

I agree if the rear windows are molded open then I want one...

I would bet it’s the same as the emergency van with solid rear doors, maybe decals for the screened rear windows .

[Rob Hall]

2 hours ago, ss2000 said:

I would bet it’s the same as the emergency van with solid rear doors, maybe decals for the screened rear windows .

Yes, I can't imagine they would do any tooling changes. 

[Lordmodelbuilder]

On 12/11/2018 at 3:34 PM, Rusty92 said:

So is this van a G20 or G30? I've heard it was a 72 model and they didn't make G30s then if I understand correctly. And if it's a G20 is it a 6 lug?

Chevrolet had the G10-G20-G30 vans starting in 1971. The 10 & 20 would have had 5-lugs if they were disc-brake on the front.

There were a few 6-lug vans back then,but only if they came with drum brake front ends.

[disabled modeler]

On 12/12/2018 at 3:18 PM, Casey said:

I guess we'll have to  wait and see. The rear windows (with cross-hatch screen(?) detail) are prominently shown on the box art, but that's no guarantee of anything. It would be a nice surprise to see the rear doors revert to the molded-open-windows state, but I don't know if that'll happen.

I don't think they will be. The rear door window openings appear to have last been 'open' when the upper quarter panels were still handled with inserts, so I don't expect ant changes from the last issue, body-wise. I expect two decals will be included to represent the rear windows this time around. Here's an original issue Police Van body, on which you can see the openings:

That there is the van I need parts to...side glass parts to one.

[Rusty92]

On 12/25/2018 at 7:22 PM, Lordmodelbuilder said:

Chevrolet had the G10-G20-G30 vans starting in 1971. The 10 & 20 would have had 5-lugs if they were disc-brake on the front.

There were a few 6-lug vans back then,but only if they came with drum brake front ends.

Thank you! 

[Rusty92]

Anyone know a kit that would have the GM 14 bolt that would be appropriate for 1 ton vans? Sounds like maybe the Deserter has it. Any input?

[Casey]

17 minutes ago, Rusty92 said:

Anyone know a kit that would have the GM 14 bolt that would be appropriate for 1 ton vans? Sounds like maybe the Deserter has it. Any input?

The old Eaton style 14-bolt (though it only has a 10-bolt rear cover) is present in the Revell '41 Chevy pickup kit, but for the more modern style 14-bolt, I think you are out of luck. The MPC '84 GMC's rear axle isn't very good, and has no rear bolt cover detail since it's molded in upper and lower halves. You can see  the axle assemblies in this video at the 9:30 mark: 

 

 

Maybe you can fake it using a Dana-style rearend?:

 

[Rusty92]

1 hour ago, Casey said:

Maybe you can fake it using a Dana-style rearend?:

 

Casey, thank you! I am doing a 4wd conversion to a Vemco V-Drive system by Dana. Looks like that 68 Hemi Dart has the closest to a Dana 60 I can get. Since that is what they put under the 1-ton vans equipped with V-Drive I believe. 

[stavanzer]

I cannot wait to see what is inside this kit.  The decals alone will be worth the price.

[ABC Auto Industry]

I just got mine in the mail today, and if you're expecting any tooling changes from the Rescue Van reissue...well, you're gonna be disappointed. For what it's worth, however, it's not a bad kit. Definitely worth it for the decals and the other police parts:

 

 

 

 

 

I wonder what the purpose of the blue and black NYPD decals is? Transit Police? Auxiliary?

[SfanGoch]

Those NYPD graphics are bogus. Chalk it up to lack of proper research. "86" the alleged NYPD decals. Neither NYPD, ESU, Harbor Patrol, Highway Units, pre-1995 Transit Police Department, pre-1995 NYC Housing Authority Police Department nor any Auxiliary Police vehicles ever used black or yellow markings. Check out PoliceDecalShop on ebay. He produces decals for every NYC LE agency conceivable, plus numerous PDs from across the country. The graphics are 100% accurate and are outstanding. If you don't see any decals on his page at present, keep checking regularly. He's out of stock and is in the process of producing new sets.

[Jim B]

So these from AMT are probably bogus, too:

 

[SfanGoch]

NYPD never has used yellow lettering on any vehicles. Period. End of story. FDNY uses gold, not yellow, in its graphics.

NYPD Bomb Squad:

FDNY hasn't used the Maltese Cross emblem on its apparatus in years. The ones on the lower right are correct:

The DSNY logos on the right are correct for garbage trucks and other vehicle.

Highway Patrol emblems are seen on some RMP's; although, most newer cars don't carry them.

The decals below the FDNY Maltese Crosses are older style Taxi & Limousine Commision taxi medallions. Good for use on pre-2008 cabs:

The TLC shield to the right of the crosses is actually a enforcement police uniform patch. TLC vehicles are unmarked. Makes it easier to bust unlicensed gypsy cabs.

The NYC Parks leaf can be found on the hoods of older fleet vehicles:

Newer vehicles sport a leaf decal with a different style and color:

The Staten Island Ferry decal is incorrect.

Besides, there aren't any vehicles specifically assigned to it. Staten Island ferry is operated by NYC Dept. of Transportation (NYC DOT). The red decal is nolonger used. It's been replaced by this:

The Times Square decals are actually street signs and would not be used on any type of vehicle. The "Don't even think about parking here" decals are  typical smartass NYC humor. They're posted, with other similarly wiseguy-worded signage, in restricted areas:

Edited January 10, 2019 by SfanGoch