AZ Highway Patrol 1970

[Danno]

Still exhibiting some evidence that I occasionally build models.

This is an AMT/Hobby Heaven issue 1970 Ford sedan with period-correct Arizona Highway Patrol markings. Built box stock otherwise. Intended to compete in an IPMS Out of the Box category, I was stuck with the undersized and misshapen beacons and siren loudspeaker. Otherwise, it represents AHP cars of that era well.

Oh, yeah. The fender-mounted antenna was not in the kit box, but IPMS allows antennas from other sources. I pirated the base from the parts box and added a guitar string mast.

Yes, AHP really did run with amber beacons on the passenger side of their Visi-Bars.

Who knows why.

I have a friend who retired from AHP ... well, actually it was DPS when he retired. He remembers the patrol cars from this era (early 70's) and said this quick little project nailed the look. His approval meant a lot. I wasn't 'there.' He was.

Thanks for looking.

(And, yes, I need newer and better pictures. That's on my list.)

Edited February 25, 2014 by Danno

[disabled modeler]

NICE work!.... I have one of these kits it will be a everyday family car.

[cobraman]

Looks great !

[Agent G]

Very nice.

I think every department did strange things in the 70s.

G

[Danno]

Thanks, Mark!

Ray, thank you, man!

G ~ appreciate your approval. And, you're right . . . the 70's were odd times for everything, including law enforcement. But, then, you drove a Citation police car in the 80's!

[Agent G]

Oh yes we tested all those econobox, disposible, beancounter cars. The bloody shotgun couldn't even be mounted in the upright position in a Citation.

Finally settled on the Celebrity and stuck with it for several model years.

G

[slusher]

Super nice build, Danno

[Danno]

Thanks, Carl.

[o-man]

Danno, sweet Police car!

[Danno]

Thank you, Oscar!

[von Zipper]

That's a nice looking police car. You did a good job on it even though I have never seen an Arizona police car myself.

I was very happy when Hobby Heaven had those reproduced.

Top Notch Building !

[peter31a]

Very nice build, Danno! Love those AMT police car kits. I have an original with the beacons glue on with tube glue….lots of finger prints.

[mnwildpunk]

Very cool

[Hard_2_Handle_454]

Very Nice! Love the idea

[the goon]

Very nice.

Mark

[Erik Smith]

Very cool. I like the era of police cars when they were pretty simple. Bolt on a light bar, put in a radio, and go get some bad guys...

[Danno]

Thanks, Chris!

Thank you, too, Peter!

I'm with you guys . . . the kit has its drawbacks, but it's a great kit nonetheless. I built a couple when AMT first brought them out ('72) and I bought a case when Hobby Heaven re-released them.

[Danno]

Thank you, Dave, Eric & Mark! Much appreciated.

[Danno]

Very cool. I like the era of police cars when they were pretty simple. Bolt on a light bar, put in a radio, and go get some bad guys...

Boy, you got that right, Erik!

I have one on the bench you'll probably really like . . . talk about simple! You'll see it one day . . . a '70 Dodge Wichita PD car. "Simple!"

[om617]

Very nice. Love old movies with police chase where they drive these cars hard.

[Danno]

Thanks, Tommy!!

[David G.]

Nicely Done!

David G.

[AZ Boy]

Ah!....So the reports of Dan's model building demise have been greatly exaggerated! Very nice looking build, Dan!

[Rdkingjay]

Nice job Danno. I built one of these several years ago as a Mass State Police car. Nice kit despite some inaccuracies like the boss 429 and chassis. There's a website called policecarmodels.com that can provide much more accurate scale goodies for you police car projects in the future. Lights, sirens, radios etc. The owners name is Jeff. Very helpful and knowledgeable.

[Danno]

Thanks, David G!