August 22, 2008 Latest News

"I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening."
- Larry King

Listening, and the art of, is a key to success in any social or business setting and especially so when it comes to parenting. The ability to hold one’s tongue and pay close attention to what is being communicated can pay great rewards. Almost everyone I know has the one friend or acquaintance that’s constantly flapping their jaw—they may hear what’s being said, but are they really listening?

Over the course of the past couple of months I’ve heard this question a number of times:

“Is JD really listening to the collector?”

Other than an affirmative response on my part, yes, I hear you and I am listening, there is little more I can do than demonstrate my attention through new releases and introductions. And I’ve tried to be open and honest by communicating the myriad of production issues Code 3 (as well as other manufacturers) has experienced in China this year. Too much information? I don’t know, but my personal position has always been to provide more and not less.

With regard to the selection of Departments for reproduction by Code 3, much is taken into consideration. A pronounced effort is made to represent key cities and smaller towns that might have universal appeal. What’s the compelling reason a collector might add a specific model to their collection? For instance, the soon to be released Gettysburg rig—the decoration and color of the truck was one reason for selection as was the fact that it is one of the oldest Departments in the USA celebrating its 200th anniversary. Bearing a commemorative logo for its birthday, the 1/64th scale limited edition model by Code 3 will also pay tribute to the town and its firefighters!

Authentic FDNY replicas sell and this cannot be disputed. Throughout this country and around the world, people are familiar with the Fire Department of New York. This much was true long before the heroic call to arms following the events of 9-11. An icon of firefighting, FDNY represents some of the best in fire protection. And while the relationship with FDNY remains positive, Code 3 likes to think our relationship with all Departments is just as good—so if you see a slight skew towards the reproduction of New York area departments, it really boils down to supply and demand.

That said…

During the time I’ve had the pleasure to be a part of Code 3 we have released 21 products and of that total only 5 were from FDNY. Code 3 has released models from Cedar Hills, TX Palm Beach, Fl, Chicago, Il , Annandale MD, Yonkers, NY, Hamilton County, VA as well as two military rigs. With the input from all collectors Code 3 continues to seek rigs both unique and compelling for you to add to your collections.

Lately I’ve been hearing a collective voice, one that is pushing for a model that initially was scheduled for release late this year. We did listen to you, and as a result, the schedule was adjusted as this will be one on the first new models to be released in 2009. Mentioned by so many collectors and so often, it simply has to be produced. My hope is that you will all be pleased once it is formally announced.

The Forum  was reinstated to do one thing and one thing only—provide a voice for the Code 3 collector base. It is the place to submit suggestions, air concerns and hopefully express your opinions on a multitude of issues.

Remember two things from this week

1.) The 12814 FDNY Squad 61 sold out in one week!
2.) Being politically correct these days we must be sensitive to the change in the world around us. Hearing impaired people deserve the respect to be called Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Lastly, the Crash Trucks are on the way and the orders are much better than expected so make sure you get your order in while they’re still available.

NEXT WEEK - Announcing winners of the models given away at the recent Fire Expo

CODE 3 DAY at Past Times Hobbies - Date and time for a great annual event

CLUB MEMBERS- Check the Members only area for a special sale offer.

- John H. Dunkel

PROUDLY INTRODUCING –

The First Models Of US Military Fire Equipment

WHERE THE FUTURE OF NAVAL AVIATION BEGINS –

Patuexnt River Naval Air Station

2007 Oshkosh TI3000 CFR (Crash Fire Rescue) Unit

Patuxent Naval Air Station stretches across approximately 8.5 miles of shoreline at the mouth of the Patuxent River, overlooking the picturesque Chesapeake Bay, 65 miles southeast of Washington D.C. Naval Air Station Patuxent River covers approximately 8000 acres with an additional 850 acres at the Webster Field Annex, located about 15 miles south of the station. The station was commissioned in 1943 as the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, to centralize widely dispersed air testing facilities. The station has since evolved into the center of excellence for Naval aviation as a full spectrum acquisition research development test and evaluation facility for Naval aviation.

The base supports naval aviation operations by researching, developing, testing and evaluating aircraft, aircraft components and related products. The facilities are also used by foreign governments, academic institutions and private industry for similar projects.
Over the past two decades, the station has grown to include a manned flight simulator, a large aircraft anechoic chamber, an air combat environment test and evaluation facility, the Capt. Steven A. Hazelrigg Flight Test Facility, an aircraft test and evaluation facility, the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School academic building and Aviation Survival Training Center.

These new facilities have significantly improved aviation safety and the quality of naval aviation products. With the consolidated work force and expanded facilities, the Patuxent River Naval Air Station has become the place where the future of naval aviation begins.

Fire Department

The Naval Air Station Patuxent River Fire and Emergency Services is a division of the Naval District Washington (NDW) Fire Region. Patuxent River Fie Department consists of 80 employees including firefighters, lieutenants, captains, battalion chiefs, one division chief and fire inspectors. With the exception of the Division Chief and the fire inspectors, the remainder of the department works on an “A” / “B” 24 hour on / off shift concept. The fire department is divided into several components; Structural, and EMS. Operating from 3 different fire stations, NAS Pax River operates 16 major pieces of apparatus which includes 3 engine companies, 3 Crash Fire Rescue units and cross-man a haz-mat, tower ladder, brush unit, rescue and several support units, and 2 ambulances.

NAS Patuxent River F-138 is a 2007 Oshkosh TI3000 CFR (Crash Fire Rescue) Unit.

Pump - 1500 gpm pump with 3,000 gallons of water, 420 gallon foam tank, 460 lbs of Halatron I.

Foam 138 operates out of the largest station on Pax River responding on all air filed alerts, aircraft special projects, and as a nurse tanker. This apparatus also responds to St. Mary’s County airport.

FROM THE WORLD’S LARGEST NAVAL AIR STATION –

Norfolk Naval Air Station

2007 Oshkosh TI3000 CFR (Crash Fire Rescue) Unit

The Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean. This Navy Base, occupies about 4,300 acres on a peninsula known as Sewell's Point. It is the world's largest Naval Station, based on supported military population. When the 75 ships and 134 aircraft homeported here are not at sea, they are alongside one of the 14 piers or inside one of the 11 aircraft hangars for repair, refit, training and to provide the ship's or squadron's crew an opportunity to be with their families. NS Norfolk is homeport to aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, large amphibious ships, submarines, a variety of supply and logistics ships, C-2 Greyhound, C-12 Huron and E-2 Hawkeye fixed wing aircraft squadrons, and CH-46 Sea Knight, MH-53 and CH-53 Sea Stallion, and SH-60 Seahawk and MH-60 Seahawk helicopter squadrons.

Norfolk Port Services controls more than 3,100 ships' movements annually as they arrive and depart their berths. Port facilities extend more than four miles (6 km) along the waterfront and include some seven miles (11 km) of pier and wharf space.

Air Operations conducts over 100,000 flight operations each year, an average of 275 flights per day or one every six minutes. Over 150,000 passengers and 264,000 tons of mail and cargo depart annually on Air Mobility Command (AMC) aircraft and other chartered flights from the airfield.

The land on which the naval station is located was originally the site of the 1907 Jamestown Exposition. Immediately after the United States entered World War ,April 1917, the Secretary of the Navy was persuaded to buy the property. A bill was passed for the purchase of 474 acres and it set aside the sum of $1.2 million as payment for the property.

Important historical events were taking place on the air side of the station as well. November 14, 1910 marked the birth of naval aviation. Eugene Ely, a pilot employed by the Curtiss Exhibition Company, slowly accelerated toward the end of a 57-foot wooden ramp constructed on the bow of USS Birmingham (CL-2).

World War I

When the United States became involved in World War I, the size of the Navy's air component was rapidly expanded. In the 19 months of U. S. participation, a force of 6,716 officers and 30,693 enlisted served in naval aviation.

As World War I came to an end, the former NAS Hampton Roads saw erratic growth, increasing to nearly 167 officers, 1,227 enlisted men and 65 planes. But, it was after the war that demobilization had threatened the future of naval aviation. Within seven months of the war's end, Navy manpower fell to less than half its wartime highs.

World War II

World War II profoundly changed the appearance of the Naval Station. With the eruption of war in Europe in September 1939, the station began to vibrate with activity. By December, the Navy had over $4 million in projects underway on the station. By the summer of 1940 the Station employed some 8,000 personnel, a number larger than any time since the end of World War I.

In 1941, the possibility of U.S. involvement in the war looked more likely. Construction of more new facilities was pushed forward to match increased requirements. Directives from Washington meant facilities had to be developed to operate five aircraft carrier air groups, seven to nine patrol squadrons, the fighter director school and the Atlantic Fleet operational training program for 200 pilots prior to their fleet assignment.

In June 1941, the personnel count at the Naval Station dramatically increased once again. There were now about 10,000 new recruits at the Naval Training Station, 15,559 officers and enlisted on station, and 14,426 sailors assigned to ships homeported in Norfolk. After Pearl Harbor, another $4 million was put into the receiving station to elevate its capacity by some 5,500 individuals.

Post War

Postwar period developments underscored the capacity of the Naval Station to change. The station at first stored inactive aircraft carriers, other reserve vessels, and finally submarines and destroyers. Fire fighting and salvage control now became specialties. The Atlantic Fleet Command came ashore in 1948 and placed its headquarters with a staff of 165 officers and 315 enlisted in an abandoned hospital. At the same time, the station rendered service to military as well as scientific pursuits.
One other milestone in NAS's history occurred in 1968 when the station assumed a major role in putting a man on the moon. The air station became Recovery Control Center Atlantic, providing command, control and communications with all the ships and aircraft involved in the recovery operations of Apollo 7.

MORE MODELS IN STOCK AND READY TO SHIP

#12740 1/64 FDNY Ladder 43

#12771 1/64 Annandale, VA Pierce Quantum Pumper

#12845 1/64 Fairfax Co., VA Pierce Dash Engine

#12778 1/64 Palm Beach Gardens, FL Pierce Quantum Pumper

#12808 1/64 St. Patrick's Boston E-One Cyclone Pumper

#12996 1/32 Chicago Luverne Pumper - Diamond Plate

#12990 1/32 FDNY Seagrave Ladder 10

#12847 1/64 Boston E-One Rear Mount Ladder 25

#12854 1/64 FDNY Seagrave Rear Mount Ladder 24

Next update: Friday, August 29, 2008