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American LaFrance 100' Ladder Model JOX600 Series
Fire Engine Photos
 No: 1736   Contributor: Pavel Zaremba   Year: 1938   Manufacturer: American LaFrance   Country: Australia
American LaFrance 100' Ladder Model JOX600 Series

This ladder was commissioned by the Western Australia Fire Brigades in 1942 and was stationed at Perth No 1 City, North Fremantle and Fremantle Fire Stations. It was originally bound for the Singapore Fire Brigade when Pearl Harbour was bombed on 7 Dec 1941. The ship put in at Fremantle Harbour and fearing Singapore may fall to the enemy, was off-loaded and commandeered by the War Dept. Following decommissioning the machine fell in to disrepair over a period of yers until it was located and totally restored to near new condition by the members of the Western Australia Fire Brigades Historical Museum. It still has its original compliment of ground ladders and equipment and is surprisingly quick on the road. The ladder is seen here at the truck stop in Abernethy Rd Kewdale having its tyre pressure checked. It can be viewed at the Old No 1 City Fire Station Museum im Murray St Perth, a must see for fire engine enthusiasts.
Picture added on 18 December 2006
Comments:
What a weird looking cabin.It's quite surprised to know the Singapore Fire Brigade (SFB) to use US origin.If this appliance become one of the SFB appliance it will be preserved today and become one of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) heritage gallery.To see the items exhibited at SCDF heritage gallery see-www.scdf.gov.sg

Added by Bomba Boy on 19 December 2006.
This is one of the 7 American LaFrance JOX 100 ladders. They were sent to Australia on a lend-lease base due the war in Europe.
It was never destinied for Singapore.

Added by Fire995 on 31 December 2006.
It would be nice if you could supply some more information, it is our belief there are still several of these original LaFrance ladders restored in Australia today, including the one at The Museum of Fire, in Penrith, Sydney, , , ,

Added by Pavel Zaremba on 07 January 2007.
Hello Pavel,
Here is the info I have on them. I also have the manufacture numbers and photos of most of them. However not made by me, so I won't post them over here. If you want drop me an e-mail and I forward them to you.
Best wishes,
Frank
Brisbane 100ft American Lafrance JOX M-5-100 194 -19 > Coolangatta > motorhome
Adelaide 56 100ft American LaFrance JOX M-5-100 199-564 1944-19 preserved
Melbourne 122 100ft American Lafrance JOX M-5-100 FB-022 1942-19 > CFA > FSMV
Melbourne 123 100ft American Lafrance JOX M-5-100 FB-053 1942-19 > CFA > preserved
Melbourne 124 100ft American Lafrance JOX M-5-100 FB-037 1942-19 > CFA ES-203 > FSMV
Ballarat 100ft American Lafrance JOX M-5-100 JJ-610 1942-19 Museum of Fire; Penrith NSW
Perth 100ft American Lafrance JOX M-5-100 6BR-993 1942-1962 Museum 25


Added by Fire995 on 07 January 2007.
This is the information from the American LaFrance records.
L-1696: M-5-100 JOX / ship order #2353 / lend-lease Austrailia
L-1697: M-5-100 JOX / ship order #2354 / lend-lease Austrailia
L-1698: M-5-100 JOX / ship order #2355 / lend-lease Austrailia
L-1699: M-5-100 JOX / ship order #2356 / lend-lease Austrailia
L-1700: M-5-100 JOX / ship order #2357 / lend-lease Austrailia
L-1701: M-5-100 JOX / ship order #2358 / lend-lease Austrailia
L-1702: M-5-100 JOX / ship order #2359 / lend-lease Austrailia

Of these I understand there are six surviving. I know where three of them are but can identify only one by registry number. I would very much like to get more info from you Fire995 on thee rigs. I have sent you an email.

Added by Captain Grant Mishoe on 18 February 2007.
I have images of the builders palte of this truck from WA if it helps, seen it on a recent visit, ahs all the usual numbers and alike, send me an email Thanks Matt

www.firecall.com.au

Added by Matt on 11 July 2007.
American Lafrance ladder ES-203 was stationed at Geelong City Fire Brigade, Victoria Australia. In 2004 the Brigade celebrated our 150th Anniversary. A photograhical history of appliances was collected for this event. If you are interested I would be more than pleased to share these imagges with you if you are interested.

Regards

Danny O'Toole
Brigade Secretary

Added by Danny O'Toole on 19 August 2007.
Great information keep it coming. Danny I will email you for copy pictures.

Added by Mark White CEO Museum of Fire on 20 August 2007.
Danny, are you able to post the images on this site for the benefit of us all, ,


Added by Pavel Zaremba on 20 August 2007.
Gee, American LaFrance "Down Under" - with the tractor-trailer in back-ground, very easy to think it was in USA. Guessing by the mirror, is it LHD - so, were any features put in for Australian use, or were these Aerials just taken straight off the assembly line and shipped out ? Another Classic ALF.

Added by Pat_R-B on 30 March 2008.
It is my understanding that there was nothing special about these vehicles. All came off the assembly line and went "Down Under" during the war.

So ugly it is beautiful!

Added by Captain Grant Mishoe on 30 March 2008.
Pat_R-B and Captain Grant, thanks for your comments, the guys at the Museum workshops will be thrilled. The Captain is correct, straight from assembly line to the docks, not a single change made, LHD (left-hand drive) and all.

It is interesting to note that during its service life it was driven with four forward gears. However, when it was rescued some years later, and the boys stripped her down, they found it had a fifth forward gear!!?? This was really weird! So, you can imagine out on the open road/highway she really gets up and flys! Would anyone have any ideas as to why the 5th gate was hidden? To goven her speed, perhaps?

Also the Museum workshops are desperate to trace the ship she was brought 'down under' on, to date they have met with little success on this one.

The only items of a local content are the two small rotating red beacons behind the spot lights and I would suggest the rear view mirrors are not original. Also, with the three-jack system to stabilize the platform for ladder operation (one under front nose and one either side directly behind cab), they had some nasty scares if she was not perfectly level so Chief McMahon and his boys installed a spirit level atop the dashboard housing. Once the jacks were wound down hard and she was plumb level, they could do anything with the ladder which was suprising quick in operation. She still has her original full compliment of ground ladders, axes, shovels, etc.

Added by Pavel - Western Australia on 30 March 2008.
We bought and imported a Jox many years ago and we are now thinking of restoring the old lady to her former glory. We sadly do not have any data, manuals of engine-lay-out. Can anyone help us? We are located in the Netherlands (Europe)

Added by Rob van Vliet on 18 September 2010.
Rob, see my reply on your posted photo, thanks, ,

Added by Pavel on 20 September 2010.
Were the Australian ALF's left-hand or right-hand drive?

Added by Michael Feldman on 16 October 2010.
Michael, all left hand drive to my knowledge.

Added by Pav on 18 October 2010.
Rob,
Where in Holland are you staying?

Frank (Rotterdam)

Added by Fire995 on 19 October 2010.
Left handed drive.

Added by Captain Grant Mishoe on 19 October 2010.
They look like 800 series cabs with the raised bumper. Captain Grant Mishoe, can you please inform me as to where L-1696-L-1702 were stationed please.

Added by Andrew Middleton on 29 August 2011.
I've no idea. That was not indicated on the records that ALF has. The Museum there may be of assistance on that.

Added by Grant Mishoe on 29 August 2011.
Thank you for your reply.

Added by Andrew Middleton on 29 August 2011.
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