Ashton Ahrens-Fox NY World's Fair Fire Department

Here is the 1938 Ahrens-Fox HT pumper from the late Ray Paszkiewicz, Jr. collection. It is modelled after an actual vehicle in use during the 1939 World's Fair with it's typical front mounted pump. I had not planned on bidding much on this one but then I got nostalgic for the old Ashton white metal replicas. Still I think it was a bargain - sedan pumpers have held their own on ebay based on completed listings.

I found this online:

The units delivered under this contract were the first of a model, perhaps most associated with New York, and were ordered on July 27, 1937. Two Model HT pumpers, serial numbers 3423 and 3424, actually purchased by the 1939 New York World's Fair, were delivered on April 30, 1938. These units had closed cabs, Hercules engines, Invincible deck pipes with 2-1/2 inch barrels, 1000 gpm pumps, subway straps and a windshield over the back steps. They also had a split front windshield with either side capable of opening independently and were quite different in appearance from earlier Ahrens-Fox pumpers. These same units were also delivered with three floodlights, a feature uncommon for New York pumpers. However, these were later removed. The pumpers had a wheelbase of 209 inches and an overall length of 27 feet 2 inches. The now common, but still unusual, Ahrens-Fox feature of single rear tires, rather than dual rear wheels, were again incorporated on these pumpers. A spare tire was carried on the left rear running board behind the rear fender.

At the conclusion of the 1939-1940 World's Fair, the Fair's five Ahrens-Fox pumpers (two HT models and three SC models) were turned over to the (NYC) department. The two HT models were assigned as regular apparatus of engine companies.