Fire Engines Photos, Pictures and Images Library

Picture No:

204

Courtesy of:

Iain Kitchen

Year:

2004

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02 KJ 83

This Dodge G13/HCB Pump belongs to the Defence Fire Service at Donnington (England).
Picture Added on 25 August 2005.

Comments

Hi Iain,

Are you sure this is a Dodge? It looks like a Renault logo....
Added by on 25 August 2005.

I think that Dodge was bought by Renault a time ago. But nice picture Iain.
Added by Marcel Sloover on 25 August 2005.

Hello Iain,

I would have to agree with the person that has sent you this comment, I know a little about fire vehicles, and yes in this photo the vehicle shown does look like a Dodge.
Added by unknown on 19 October 2005.

This is a Renault/Dodge G13 /HCB Angus. Renualt took over Dodge back in the 80's
Added by John O Donoghue on 27 November 2005.

Why does the Defence Fire Service always go for very odd, almost one off appliance designs? This must be an expensive way to procure machines.

Surely it would make greater economic sense to tag the MOD requirement onto a big long term civilian contract like the previous London Volvo/Saxon one.

Or do DFS pumps have such unique requirements that they are entirely unlike normal domestic pumps?

T.
Added by Tim Wingham on 09 April 2008.

I think that (being ex army) I have seen most examples of these shody fire tenders and can honestly say it is because they are cheap and (cast offs)
Added by BLACK MAFFIA on 18 May 2008.

Aren't the bodies re-chassied whenever possible?. This would explain why it appears odd. It's also a Renault G13 ( Dodge ) cabbed chassis.
Added by Stevie Murray on 18 May 2008.

I'd be surprised if MOD goes for rebodying. As BLACK MAFFIA implys it's probably cheaper to add a separate body to an "as delivered cab chassis", hence the looks.
Added by Tim Wingham on 19 May 2008.

Is that not what all modern UK fire appliances are(including Dennis), except the cabs are often built to fir the exisiting cab better?
Added by Lewis Sweeney on 20 May 2008.

Yes, that's what makes this example odd, (and ugly). It has a standard cab, not a crew cab -ie- the crew compartment is part of the body, which is not coachbuilt integrally with, or close to the body. Presumably less work for the bodybuilder, less cash from the buyer, and zero communication between those up front and those in the back!

If this one's still on the run spares must be difficult to find, as both the Dodge G13 and HCB Angus are both sadly long gone. Or does MOD hold vast stocks of relevant spares?

Added by Tim Wingham on 20 May 2008.

I believe these appliances are now off the run and replaced by Volvos?
Added by Stevie Murray on 20 May 2008.

Interesting comments on the MOD. When in the RAF I suffered the Mk 8 airfield foam tender, Bedford RL body and engine, Jaguar pump engine and lockers had to be open to stop the Jag overheating!
Yes they build to budget with a few exceptions, whoever thinks these machines up isnt a fireman!
Added by John stott on 30 September 2008.

For more information on this subject see the following website.
Emergency Service Photos (UK)