Return to the BUILD
“In this final stage of pack 2, you’ll assemble and install the mobile data terminal (MDT) and add dome lights to the interior cab roof.“
Contents
Parts
Materials: Everything in this stage is plastic.
NOTE: Save any spare screws left over at the end of each stage of this build. They may be needed in later stages!
Build
Components for the Mobile Data Terminal, Wing Mirrors, Cab Inside Roof & Dome Lights
Step 1
Mobile Data Terminal (MDT)
Apply a small amount of super glue to this lower panel of the MDT Frame:
Firmly press the two pegs of the MDT Keyboard into the holes in this lower panel of the MDT Frame, as shown:
Apply a little more super glue to this upper panel of the MDT Frame:
Firmly press the MDT Screen onto this upper panel of the MDT Frame, as shown.
There is a ‘lip’ around the top edge of the screen that fits into the groove around the upper panel of the MDT Frame:
Retrieve your Cab Floor Section from the previous stage. Then, press the two pegs on the bottom of the MDT Frame into the matching holes at this location between the front seats:
Cab Inside Roof
Press the pins of the two Dome Lights into these two holes of the Cab Inside Roof, as shown. If necessary, apply a small drop of super glue to the other side of the Dome Light pins to secure them into place.
Fun Fact: The two big boxes on this Cab Inside Roof panel are the ceiling air conditioning units to keep the cab comfortable:
On most of the fire trucks I have been in, the light above the captain had a red-colored dome to protect their night vision. Therefore, I dipped one of my Dome Lights in Tamiya X-27 Clear Red acrylic paint and let it dry:
Once the paint was dry, I fitted the modified Dome Light to the Cab Inside Roof. It is subtle for sure, but I will be adding Custom Lighting later on:
Wing Mirrors
The two Wing Mirrors will eventually be fitted to the front doors, as shown. However, since they are delicate, it may be best to store them for now and attach them to the doors later in the build:
Speaking of storing parts, everything else provided in this stage should also be stored safely until we need them in a later stage:
Thoughts
I don’t know how many times I sat in our fire trucks and chatted with the dispatchers via the MDT. More than was allowed for sure! I am really loving all of these little details and the memories they invoke. I am excited to see what the rest of this build has in store for us!
Next Up
Stage 17 – Jump Seat/Support, Front Right Light Cluster/Lenses/Diffusers/PCB, Windscreen Wiper, Flood Light