This is, or was an Austin K4/Merryweather 60'hand-operated turntable Ladder, without the front mounted Barton pump which was fitted to many of the later TL's coming off the production line around 1942/43.Ordered by the Home Office, a total of fifty of these 60'hand-operated turntable ladders were built by Austin for the war effort.Also, a total of 63 mechanical 100'Merryweather TL's were constructed for the N.F.S.(National Fire Service)at this time because the more common Metz and Magirus ladders were certainly not available.
these
Added by Pete Matten on 08 April 2008.
Hi Andrew, I don't suppose there was a registration number on the back was there? I have a friend who owns one of the 50, GXN 225 and we wonder how many survive? If anyone has looked into this it would be great to hear from them. Thanks.
Added by Chris Wood on 13 April 2008.
Chris, my family own GXN205, GXN208 is in the Science Museum at Wroughton. GXN213 is now a lorry (the shame of it) and we used to believe that there were about 9 in preservation - though that was in the late 70's early 80's. I am sure the number has gone up now, but the number actively preserved and run would be less. Would love to be put in touch with your friend who owns GXN 225
Hi Heather, thanks for responding and I have passed your details on to the owner of '225'. There is an image on the web of GXN 246 at Wroughton, do you know if they have more than one? We think there are at least a dozen still around but agree that not so many can be seen out and about.
Added by Chris Wood on 24 April 2008.
I have checked and 246 is the only one. I had always thought it was 208 for some inexplicable reason. Perhaps I have seen 208 somewhere else. Thanks for passing on our details to your friend. I look forward to hearing from him.
Reference the 1943 Austin K4/Merryweather 60ft TL(GXN 208).This turntable ladder was issued to the NFS for use in North Devon at Barnstable during the second world war, then in 1948 it passed onto the Somerset Fire Brigade and was stationed at Yeovil fire station. It was not until 1976 that this 1943 wartime Austin/Merryweather finally went out-of-service and into presevation, given thirty-three years loyal service to the county of Somerset Fire Brigade.I photographed GXN 208 at Shoreham Airport in West Sussex afew years ago when a film was being shot which included this appliance in one of the scenes.Still today in presevation as far as I know.
Added by Pete Matten on 26 April 2008.
where is this engine and is it still there now? as my sister has said we would like to know how many of these engines are still about and it seems a shame if this one is being left to rot (we own GXN 205)
Merseyside Fire Museum have Austin K4 GXN211, which has been restored & repainted in the NFS colour Grey.These NFS vehicles were painted in a matt grey paint.we will be showing off our K4 at future events, but sadly only in the north west, owing to the cost of petrol.We also have Austin K2 ATV GLR 92 we have yet to restore.
There are more cheering pictures of sister K4 TL's in good shape.
Picture # 1375 of the Wannell's GXN 205; and picture #8116 of GXN 208.
K4 TL's, with the USA Barton Front-Mount Pump, at picture #9780 of GXN 227; and at picture #7551 of GXN 219, in war-time NFS gray paint - as described by Pete M. above.
I will be re-submitting a better photo of GXN 219 in the grey livery and also another Austin K4/Merryweather in presevation, this being GXN 210 in the red post-war livery which served the West Sussex Fire Brigade until 1970.
Added by Pete Matten on 25 November 2008.
It would be nice to see all the K4s (pics)on a web site.
Thanks, Pete, it will be good to see more pics of these worthy fire-engines, that have given good service in war and peace.
As the Marcel(s) receive them, keep checking the "Built by" heading on this Page; and scroll down to, and click on "Austin"
D'you know, I have a 2-storey house on hill-side, that needs re-shingling on a "Barn roof" and re-painting - could I ever use a free-standing ladder like the above poor old rig....
Slight problem; the house is across the pond, in Atlantic, New Brunswick (:-<)
Hi all, I can now give some more information on the number of these appliances which are thought to still be around. According to the DVLA, there are 13 currently licenced (30.11.08) and these are listed below. All have the letters GXN preceeding the numbers.
This does not mean they are 'on the road' or give any indication of condition. Four others are on the database but are not currently shown as licenced. They are:
GXN 208, 224, 231 and 247.
Again, there is no way of telling from this info if these machines survive or not. Hopefully, some of you may be able to add a bit of flesh to these bones!
Added by Chris Wood on 30 November 2008.
From 50 machines the survival rate is very high, that say's alot for good old British engineering.GXN 213 is restored as a drop side lorry, we saw it at the Great dorset Steam Fair. GXN205 is on Christmas duty for the Firefighters Charity with a nativity scene and P.A. playing traditional Christmas Carols and parked in Westlea Fire Station Swindon Wiltshire, it generaly raises about £3 to £4 thousand pounds a year. Still doing good work!
Attention Chris Wood:-The Austin K4/Merryweather 60ft TL(reg GXN 206)that was issued to Winchester fire station in Hampshire by the National Fire Service during World War 2 served there until 1965 then sold into private ownership. Is there anything on the database on that one surviving today?.
Added by Pete Matten on 10 December 2008.
Hi Pete, sorry '206' is not listed but that does not mean it doesn't survive. If a vehicle has been unlicenced for a very long time, say 20 years or more, it has probably been lost from the records. As far as I am aware, the vehicle above has not been identified and could be an additional machine to those on the list.
Added by Chris Wood on 11 December 2008.
Chris, thanks for that.Since I started putting a few old photos on the site from the NFS period a lot of interest has been shown in that period but no real data can be found so this all helps.From adding some of my pictures to the site, its now given others interested in that period the kick to get involved and send in some brilliant pictures from the time of the National Fire Service and after. I do hope we'll see afew more, even if the appliance is no longer with us.Pete.
Added by Pete Matten on 11 December 2008.
In addition to the vehicles I listed above, GXN 214 is another survivor as it is currently advertised for sale in a heritage magazine. It is no longer a turntable ladder but instead has been restored as a truck taken over for use by the military.
Added by Chris Wood on 20 February 2009.
Hi All, Does anyone know the whereabouts of that rusty Austin K4 shown above ? I should imagine it could be salvaged for spares.
There is one in preservation at Breesingham Staem Museum Norfolk, this appliance saw out its service life a Downham Market Retained Station for a few months, prior to that stationed at Gayton Road Fire Station Kings Lynne has late as 1973 wher i first saw and photographed it.
Added by Peter Ashpool on 26 June 2009.
Hi Pete,any chance of seeing your picture of the Austin K4 at Bessingham Steam Museum please?,or can you at least let us have the registration of the one thats in preservation there.Thankyou.
Added by Pete Matten on 27 June 2009.
Pete and Peter, I hope you don't mind if I join in here as I can say that the K4 TL which was at Bressingham was moved around 10 years ago. It was stored for a few years at Hunstanton fire station before passing to an FSPG member who still has it today. The registration is GXN 225 and it was stationed at Gayton Road, Kings Lynn until 1972 when it was replaced at the new station by an ERF HP, FNG 779K which had an equally long career remaining on the run until 2000. I was not aware of it being on the run at Downham Market and would welcome any further information on this please Peter.
Added by Chris Wood on 28 June 2009.
There is another surviving K4 TL near Banchory in Aberdeenshire. Don't know the registration but remember it being ladder no 13! It's in a condition you might expect from long term outdoor storage but at least it still exists. The Barton pump went to another K4 about 15 years ago.
The one mentioned above by Peter McCombie that still survive's in Aberdeenshire(NO13)would have had the reg-GXN 213.It served at Cowes Fire Stn on the Isle of Wight,then Newport until 1966 and was then purchased by a company called BHC in Cowes.No idea how it got to Scotland but it does still exist from what Pete as said-in a poor condition though.
Added by Pete Matten on 24 August 2009.
I am pretty certain that this picture of the K4 TL on a garage forecourt was taken near LLangefni on Anglesey, North Wales as I drove past the site two or three year ago and it was certainly there then.
Pete GXN 213 is not in scotland it was converted to a lorry and there is a picture of it on this site parked next to my fathers Austin TL GXN 205 GXN 213 was at cowes though in fairness the chap that has it now looks after it but such a shame it's been chopped into a lorry!
'Fireworld' is currently advertising a number of appliances for sale including GXN 202. Most are said to be in a poor condition. Fireworld may be better known to some of you as the Fire Services National Museum Trust. After service in Kent, GXN 202 was at RAE Farnborough and is painted yellow! The FSNMT have another example which was previously in a Scottish fire museum but I do not know the registration of that vehicle.
Added by Chris Wood on 26 August 2009.
There appears to be another survivor to add to this list. A K4 TL listed as GKN 220 (which I believe should read GXN 220) was sold by Cheffins auctioneers at Harrogate on 22.8.09. It had been dry stored for 30 years and looked in good condition. It is in red livery with NFS markings '5A' and '2V'.
Added by Chris Wood on 30 August 2009.
All the Austin K4 TL's had the reg beginning with GXN-first being GXN 201,the last being GXN 250, the Home Office Ref-No being 1 to 50.The vehicle you mension(GXN 220)was from 1944?,it served at Letchworth-Hertfordshire CFB-1948,West Riding of Yorkshire FB then went into preservation.Unable to find details of when it actually went OOS.
Added by Pete Matten on 31 August 2009.
Yet another of one these appliances has been seen recently by myself in Norfolk. GXN 243 is in a very poor condition after standing outside for around 30 years. It seems likely that the vehicle was used for a different purpose after it's brigade (Derbyshire) had finished with it as it has had several alterations made.
Added by Chris Wood on 08 November 2009.
Great find Chris, can you tell us where it is? I live just outside Cambridge so not far to Norfolk and it would be good to see if any parts are worth saving for our Austin (GXN 205)
Hi Martin, I have already visited with the owner of another K4 TL with the same thing in mind. It is a shame but the owner of 243 does not wish any parts or even the whole vehicle to be sold at present.
Added by Chris Wood on 10 November 2009.
In reference to the Austin K4 TL registered GXN243,this was from 1944 and served at Compton Grove(B1)fire station,Derbyshire FB until 1959,then at Glossop(B3)fire station,Derbyshire until 1962.A second Austin K4 TLP(reg-GXN244)was also found to have served in Derbyshire,first at(A2)Tamworth Rd fire station in Long Eaton,Derbyshire,and then at(A1)Derby Road,Ilkeston,Derbyshire Fire Brigade until 1959.
Added by Pete Matten on 10 November 2009.
And, a photo of Austin K4 TTL GXN 220, has been posted by its new owner at picture #20513; and its history posted in Comments, by "the usual suspects", er, I mean, um, our very knowledgeable Contributors...oh boy.
Someone suggested to me (tongue in cheek) that these K4 TLs might still be being made and I think he might be on to something! Yet another one has recently appeared, this time on ebay (item 260548739302) and it is GXN 215. The way things are going we'll end up with a full set!
Added by Chris Wood on 16 February 2010.
Gentlemen. If i'm not mistaken this appliance is GXN 224 formerly of Caernarfonshire and allocated to Bangor. When Bangor recieved EJC870F in 1967, GXN 224 was reallocated to Pwllheli. After several years in the rear of Portmadoc fire station awaiting restoration, the Portmadoc group lost members and no new blood or interest was gained and alas she had to be removed from the station when the building work took place around 2000. If Andrew can tell us where he photographed it -in North Wales perhaps- then I can confirm it.
Having seen GXN 224 at the rear or Porthmadog fire station some years ago I do not think this is the same vehicle - the Porthmadog K4 was in a really poor state and believe it or not this one is far better - I'll try and find the pics I took at Porthmadog
It is still there now? Surely someone local to it could stop by and confirm identity. Such a shame to see it left to rot.
Added by Matt Ireland on 18 July 2010.
Hi I owned GXN 213 which I purchased from B.L.Heritage in 1987 it took me 5 years to fully restore .ty used to serve on the Isle of Wight until purchased by the British Hovercraft corp.I sold it on in 1992 andit was next seen advertised by a John Brown, would like toknowwhat hasHappened to the old girl
I am currently restoring GXN215, and intend to have it running for the 1940s Open Day at Nottingham Central Fire Station on 7/8 May 2011. I am also compiling details (at a very early stage) of other K4 TLs.
In relation to the above comments West Sussex County Fire Brigade operated two of these appliances GXN 210-GXN 215 these were inherited from the N.F.S in grey livery with crew cabs and Barton front mounted crankshaft pumps. These were based at Worthing and Chichester but during their life swopped over due to one collapsing and being returned to the Home Office and the second ending up with a cracked pump due to frost. In later years both the crew cabs were removed along with the front mounted pumps making them a basic turntable ladder they were repainted twice during their service and blue lights and two tone horns being fitted as stated GXN 215 lives on and also GXN 210 survives in Essex the later in its basic form as a Turntable ladder as it left the Brigade. it was in recent years advertised in one of the classic car journals in what appeared to be very nice condition.
Rick, Sorry got confused with the registration numbers it was GXN 215 this was the basic turntable ladder as when it left the brigade I assume the owner is attempting to rebuild it with the original components i.e crew cab and barton.
Added by Pat_R-B on 29 March 2008.