By ADAM WATSON
Daily News Staff Writer

  The Mapleton Volunteer Fire Company has received an honor that very few paid or volunteer companies in the state can boast. In recognition of St. Patrick's Day, the company's 1980 Mack CF pumper has been miniaturized by Code 3 Collectibles, producers of the most accurately detailed fire and emergency diecast collectibles on the market.
  Fire Chief Mike Corbin told The Daily News the company received word at the end of 2001 that its engine had been chosen earlier in the year as a prototype to be modeled by the collectibles company. A limited supply of the model was made and is now being sold to club members through several firefighting-related catalogs and magazines.
  "We're just thrilled that our engine was chosen," said Corbin, who said he initially was skeptical when he learned the engine was chosen to be duplicated. "It's an honor; we didn't have to solicit for and knew nothing about." added Corbin.
  Purchased by the Mapleton Volunteer Fire Company in 1997. the - engine, now known as "Engine-Rescue 2" is a former FDNY (New York City) engine from Station 7. The station was featured in a documentary made by French filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Ndudet, that recently aired on CBS chronicling the Sept. 11 events at the Ward Trade Center.
  Selected due to its green and white color scheme, Corbin said the engine apparently caught the eye of personnel from Code 3 who thought it may be a good piece to model and sent Jackson Gearhart of Chambersburg to take detailed photographs of the engine. The fire chief indicated he was amazed at how close the detail on the 1/64-scale model resembles its "big brother."
  According to information provided on the fire company's website, the engine arrived in the community via a lowboy trailer truck and was steam-cleaned by a local businessman. New tires were installed on the engine and a local mechanic gave it mechanical overview.
  Mike Pauly of Lewistown, a local level fire instructor, serviced the engine's pump and new gauges were installed. "High side" compartments were installed and a dresser drawer type roll out compartment were added under the main hose bed at an Amish welding shop in neighboring Mifflin County.
  A white-colored, New York-style hose bed cover was fabricated not only to allow for additional storage space for equipment, but also as a tribute to the engine's previous service in the "Big Apple."