Introduction

U.S. Army Aviation modelers can enhance their apron with Flightline Extinguisher, a 1/48 multi-media resin and metal kit from Plus Model, item AL4067. This kit is part of the Aero Line range of models, in which it is titled Tri-max Extinguisher [sic].

Tech Trivia

Flightline Extinguisher/Tri-max Extinguisher is a model of the TRI-MAX 30 Wheeled CAF (Compressed Air Foam) system. Designed by a former Vietnam War gunship and Forest Service pilot, the Tri-Max 30 is used by U.S. Army Aviation. The company website states:

The TRI-MAX 30 CAF is the Standard in Cold CAFS technology. The TRI-MAX 30 compressed air foam system is approved by the U.S. Army to replace the halon and 150 lb. dry chemical systems on all Army flight lines.

This extremely versatile system contains 30 Gallons of foam solution that produces approximately 600 gallons of high energy finished foam. The TRI-MAX 30 system allows for a minimum 75-foot standoff distance, which enables personnel to operate the unit without jeopardizing their safety by going too close to a fire.*

Because I like you, fellow modeler, I included a link to the company's website, which you can find at Click here for additional images for this review, at the end of this review.

On to the model!

The Kit

Plus Model created a multi-media kit with 49 resin or metal parts:

Resin x 40
Photo-etch x 6
Metal wire x 3

Decals are also included.

Casting of the resin pieces is crisp and good. Many of the resin pieces are fine and delicate, and held to the pour block "sprue" with substantial connectors. Care should be used when removing them. That said, while the connectors span much of a part, they are thin and tend to part easily; the fact the several pieces arrived in the package off their pour block verifies that.

I found no air pocks, mold seam lines, or sink areas. Most of the parts have a skin of flash on them although I found most of it thin and easy to remove. I carved some out and you can see the parts with, and without the flash.

The hoses and axle are lead wire. Use care handling it. The small p/e fret holds parts sharply etched.

Plus Model (their logo is "plusmodel") created a highly detailed kit. It looks to me that every component is reproduced in scale and that assembly closely follows the prototype. plusmodel also makes an older flightline fire extinguisher, the Extinguisher wheeled 150LB.

Detail

From ground up, the Rough Terrain Tires look like the originals. The casters are cast with air between the spokes. Keep in mind this is 1/48 when you consider the separate pieces: two-piece pistol grip handle; pressure gauges; Pressure Vent Valve; Foam Charge/”Pull to Charge” Valve; Air Cylinder and fill valves; Premix Tank Refill Port.

The 30-gallon fully-plumbed tank shows weld seams.

Both tires are devoid of tread detail visible on images of the real TRI-MAX 30 Wheeled CAF.

Again, the parts are fine and care must be exercised with parting them from the sprues.

Instructions, Painting, Decals

Plusmodel printed high-quality instructions on thick glossy paper. Illustrated and laid out clearly, there should not be any ambiguity in the assembly process.

Only three colors are mentioned for painting, and they do not include colors for the tires and hoses. No brand is mentioned.

The decals by plusmodel are good. They would be excellent except the registration is off for the placards. Will anyone notice in this scale? I see no carrier film so I wonder if each decal must be cut out?

Conclusion

There are a lot of 1/48 U.S. Army modern helicopters and even some 1/48 fixed-wing models available. Modelers thereof can enhance their apron with this highly-detailed model fire fighting system. This kit offers good casting and photo-etch, and maleable wire for hoses. The instructions are good..

Some parts are small and delicate. Care should be observed handling the parts. This kit is probably for experienced modelers.

Some flash mars the parts but it should be easy to clean off with patience. The tires lack tread detail. Painting instruction is incomplete. Decals are good except for registration.

This fire extinguisher should be very welcome by 1/48 modern Army aviation modelers. Recommended.
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Source

* Kingsway Industries, Inc. TRI-MAX 30 Wheeled CAF. [http://www.trimax.us/compressed-air-foam-products/tri-max-30-wheeled-caf.] 2019.