This Dennis was loaned to BAe Dunsfold from another factory to cover domestic duties. It was replaced by an EX Surrey Ford WrL.
Picture added on 14 October 2008
Comments:
David, thank you so much for taking the trouble to post this picture, it is great to see the history of this machine unraveling (see original picture # 4308). I hope others agree that the front end on these Surrey Dennis's has something special about it. It's a rare machine, 1 of 5 built for Surrey and only 27 ever built. They had what I thought was un-usual BA stowage, in that there were wooden, pull out, drop down drawers within the rear of the crew cab. They are just visible as the big white squares behind each of Driver & OIC seats. I understand that this machine is still save-able, being in a scrapyard in the North. Would be fantastic to see it restored to it's former glory and back on it's home turf. Much appreciated, as would any further pictures especially of this or any other Surrey machines.
Added by John D on 16 October 2008.
Interesting to see it on the forecourt of the Dunsfold station, probably no coincidence that Bill Fielder the CFO of the BAe Fire Service at Dunsfold Aerodrome at the time had also been Station Officer at Cranleigh when this pump was stationed there.
I am trying to collate as much information as I can about the Surrey Fire Brigade Dennis F44's WPD 235G - WPD 239G (See also picture #4308). If anyone has any more information, especially photographs and current whereabouts (DVLA Searches suggest that alongside WPD 236G, WPD 238G & WPD 239G may still exist) or subsequent fate. I would dearly like to hear from you. With thanks in anticipation John
John, the only information I have on the F44's is as follows. Registered on 18th November 1968 WPD235G was allocated to Dorking and then reallocated to Guildford and Oxtead, WPD236G was allocated to Caterham and reallocated to Cranleigh, WPD237G was allocated to Guildford and reallocated to Chobham, WPD238G was allocated to Guildford and reallocated to Oxtead and WPD239G was allocated to Cranleigh. Checks through DVLA dn Autotrader don't warrent us any gifts as to current status or whereabout except that WPD235/7G could be scrapped (Horrors). Hope this helps.
It's a rare machine, 1 of 5 built for Surrey and only 27 ever built.
They had what I thought was un-usual BA stowage, in that there were wooden, pull out, drop down drawers within the rear of the crew cab. They are just visible as the big white squares behind each of Driver & OIC seats.
I understand that this machine is still save-able, being in a scrapyard in the North. Would be fantastic to see it restored to it's former glory and back on it's home turf.
Much appreciated, as would any further pictures especially of this or any other Surrey machines.
Added by John D on 16 October 2008.