This is a 1968 Thornycroft Nubian Major/Pyrene 202 crash tender that served the Jersey Airport Fire Service on the Channel Islands.The appliances original Jersey registration was J2522 but is seen here with its later re-registration number of Q368 KEW.This actual appliance was donated on permanent loan to Duxford Aviation Society where its spent many years,but I'm unable to say why its now at the Flixton Aviation Museum?.I actually photographed it myself way back in the early 1990's while it was at Doxford.
Added by Pete Matten on 24 January 2010.
Pete, This Pyrene Mk 202 was built on a Thornycroft Nubian chassis, not a Major. It was used as a demonstrator before being sold to Jersey.
Added by Roger on 24 January 2010.
This appliance was at the Bressingham Steam Museum in Norfolk and I saw it at their rally in 1992. I also saw it in storage at the museum in June 2000 so the move to Flixton must have been after that.
Added by Chris Wood on 24 January 2010.
Thankyou Roger,but I just stated what I found from a small,but very informative booklet done on the Fire Brigades of the Channel Islands by Simon Rowley of Forest Studio Publications some years ago from his British Fire Brigades series of booklets.Pete.
Added by Pete Matten on 24 January 2010.
Hi Pete, Didn't mean to appear picky, it's just that I have fond memories of this particular machine having done many miles in it to air shows, demonstrations and things before it went to Jersey. Cheers
Roger,are you able to confirm that this machine was at Filton for the first Concorde flight in 1968,and was red at the time?. If it was not this one,there must have been more than one with this appearance.
Bob, I don't know about the Concorde flight but I can confirm that this vehicle was red. What was the date of the flight, did you see this machine there? If you did, and if you have a very good memory,we may be able to positively identify it.Meanwhile I've got a b&w pic of it I can post Cheers Pete, Do you know when this vehicle went to Jersey?
Added by Roger Mason on 26 January 2010.
Hello Roger,the Concorde flight was April 9th 1969,i certainly did see the machine,and i have crewed it. The reg number was VYO 417G. I recall that the cab was very bare,and was painted green inside.
Pic no. 21860 shows this vehicle in the time when it was a demonstration vehicle. If I remember rightly it had a dual capability of airblown foam and normally aspirated foam.
Added by Roger Mason on 12 March 2010.
hi I would just like to add that my late father was a fireman at jersey airport and he was responsible for getting the pyrene ready to be shipped to the uk.
Added by Pete Matten on 24 January 2010.