Fire fighters use this to transport hoses down even narrower alleys. Typical for Japanese pumpers, it also houses a little separate wheeled cart in the back. It has pump control panels with connections for fire hoses, a few ladders stored on top and lots of compartments for tools. Nonetheless, it has everything you’d expect from its larger counterparts and a little more. It is only about as wide as a typical American car and not all that much longer. However, if you compare the pumper to the two fire fighters, it is obvious that it is a lot smaller than pumpers from Europe or the US. I’ve been looking forward to building the fire engine the most, so I’ve kept that for last.Īt a first glance, it may not look all that small, especially if you are used to LEGO minifigure-scale builds. In preparation for a visit to Japan Brickfest later this year, I’m building a small collection of Japanese emergency vehicles. They also have a relatively short wheelbase, so that they can navigate tight corners. They are narrow enough to fit the streets between the houses. To fight fires in the dense urban areas, the Tokyo Fire Department has a large fleet of exceedingly small fire engines. Space is at a premium, so houses tend to be small and built closely together. Home to almost 40 million people, greater Tokyo is the world’s most populous metropolitan area. Curved slopes on the hood are ideal parts in creating the perfect angle, and the use of clear slopes for the windshield is simple but feels representative of a real Mustang. The car itself cannot be overlooked the lines are sleek and the construction is smooth. Other highlights include the rusty broken gas pump and an American flag, which is cleverly formed out of plates with clips in such a way that makes it look as if it’s waving in a light breeze. Personally, I find it difficult to ignore the satisfying feeling of pressing two LEGO pieces together but, when they’re tilted just a little and with varying degrees, the rustic charm is undeniable. Andrea achieved the barn’s dilapidated look through effective use of brown and dark grey tiles, which are not pressed down all the way. While the classic first-series Mustang Hardtop is beautiful on its own, the barn behind it is equally delightful. Looking at this display built by Andrea Lattanzio, I beg to differ. Some LEGO builders say that architecture and scenery merely exist to serve as backdrops for cars or trains.