Fire Engines Photos

I believe these had either Foamite and/or Pyrene equipment. Was there any external difference in these? Were any other major firms involved in manufacture of bodywork or pumping equipment? Regards.

Added by Neil Bennett on 24 September 2007.

as far as i am aware these only had Pyrene equipment fitted to them they were produced on the saracen chassis by alvis and and were finished off by pyrene very few differences were noticable between different mk's other than the monitor ect

Added by Jason on 25 September 2007.

great photo used to drive them in the seventies xraf fireman

Added by Ron Moultrie on 29 October 2007.

On Ebay currently there is an original advert for the Salamander chassis (sorry to promote another website!)

Added by Neil Bennett on 29 October 2007.

I am desperate. I am looking for a crash truck. An o-10;o-11b;750c;530c are trucks made in the USA, but I was hoping maybe a couple made it to Canada. If you can locate any of these trucks please call me.
Rhein Krigner
Krigner@msn.com
1-248-669-1390

Added by Rhein Krigner on 04 November 2007.

The original Mk VI had a suction eye, CBM hoses on drums and 2, 500gpm monitor, this model was superseded by the Mk VIa the suction eye had been omitted the CBM hoses were flaked, the MkVIc was as the Mk 6a but with a 2, 500/5, 000gpm monitor some MkVI and VIa were converted with 2, 500/5, 000gpm monitor.
COMMON TO ALL MODELS
Maximum output 5, 000gpm generated foam, expansion ratio approx 14:1 2, 500/5000gpm from the monitor (some models 2, 500gpm see above) 1, 600gpm from each side line. Pump pressure was 160psi this was reduced for sideline operation. 700gallon water tank 110gallon foam concentrate tank 16gallon CBM tank (later 10gallon BCF) 4 Sideline deliveries pre connected to 60feet x 4inch canvas hose dutched rolled (sometimes two hoses were connected together) 2 x 100 feet CBM/BCF hoses. The generated foam was produced by a centrifugal pump and aerated by an air blower and pumped to the branch as finished foam. The prime mover was a Rolls Royce B81 8 in line petrol engine approximately 243bhp connected to the drive via a fluid coupling, the gear box was pre select 5 speed (forward and reverse) driving all 6 wheels via bevel boxes. Top speed was approx 53 MPH The pump was engaged via a PTO with transfer box in neutral, and 5th gear engaged.


Added by David Wickwar on 16 November 2007.

Joined up before these great trucks went out of service 1975, should of keep these instead of the "bread van" Mk 8. Good to see one in such good condition & you say in working order. They were great to make back fire especially as you passed the MT yard! keep up the good work!

Added by Stephen Taylor on 17 December 2007.

Jason,

Could you contact me re this fire engine, I need to find out its location as my girlfriends granddad used to drive these and is desperate to see one again after retiring many years ago! email marc.asby@hotmail.com. Thank you!

Added by Marc Asby on 17 May 2008.

In 1976 I was a volunteer member of Leicester Airport Fire Service and we were looking for a low cost vechicle to supplement the Land Rover
The Min Of Defence sales at Ruddington Notts had dozens of these for sale and the price was £60-80 each !!!
However we advised that running costs etc were very diffcult so instead we purchased an ex RAF Thornycroft for £ 150 happy days
take care



Added by Vernon on 09 August 2008.

Used to drive these vehicles at Wittering until they were replaced with the mk8 and 9. The best appliance I have ever driven and I started with the MK5. I have a friend who is after building a model of a MK6 but he needs the diameter of one of it`s wheel`s including the tyre, a horizontal measurement, Anyone?

Added by Bill Sweeting on 25 August 2008.

I think this and other RAF vehicles are at RAF Barkston heath as the museum has relocated and i have had to concentrate on other things!!
this a Mk6 they also have, MK7 MK8 DP1 DP2 red godess etc..

Added by Jason on 03 September 2008.

What a dream machine! Hated "toggling up" every day, each gear was selected with the engine off, then the gear selected and clutch depressed 20 times in each gear. A marvelous machine for cross country travel as it used to float over rough ground, I dont miss changing the tyres though!

Added by John Stott on 01 October 2008.

originally built for the Royal Canadian Airforce Fire services but they wanted it to produce on the move, this had to be static.I Loved driving them in RAF fire service.

Added by Bob Ewing on 20 October 2008.

The original Mark 6 which is pictured here, the monitor and number is wrong, did not produce on the more. The Mark 6A which did not have CBM lines on drums or a suction eye, would produce on the move, you are quite right Bob was a requirement of the Canadian Air Fire, the Canadian version did not carry CBM. The main reason for CBM (later converted to BCF) was to be used by the rescue crew, the rescue crew were seated on the pull down seat above the engine. As far as I know this set up was only used if the ACRT was off the run (it would never be allowed now) Dave Wickwar

Added by Dave Wickwar on 21 October 2008.

Just to confirm Jason's comment. The RAF&DFS museum has relocated to RAF Barston Heath Cranwell Lincolnshire with the crash & domestic trucks.

Added by Bob Ewing on 21 October 2008.

Best Truck RAF had - To Drive - Servicing was a pig = and on runs the suspension used to wind up - Happy Days

Added by Joe B on 20 February 2009.

First time I saw the MK6 was at Binbrook in 1976 and had just been decommisioned but had the pleasure of driving the MK6 at RAF Catterick in 1978....under tow that is....Great vehicle, great foam.....same as Mk7 and 8. great to see one in great nick.

Added by Mark (Scouse) Watson on 29 April 2009.

I think there was at least one bodied by Foamite. If I remember correctly it was better finished, and had the Francis electric bell mounted behind a front grille.

Added by Tim Wingham on 27 May 2009.

I had the pleasure of re-activating the engine and drive on one of these for the guys at the Fire Museum, RAF Manston.It had been towed around for display and familiarisation training for the last fifteen years, but never under it's own steam, so to speak.
After a day's work, the engine was running as sweetly as ever, and within a month it was the star of the performance at the War and Peace show at Beltring. It was huge fun to drive.

Added by Stan Tarrant on 14 July 2009.

Mk6 at Barkston Heath and formerly the RAF Fire Service museum which I started is ex RAF Coningsby The only reason we didn't end up with the MK6 I drove on the crash line at RAF Finningley in1973 was because it had to be scrapped due to seized up steering and we couldn't move it up to my front garden along with the other. It was great the day I started it up after 30 years in 2004. The backfire nearly shattered my greenhouse. Happy days

Added by David Hughes (ex 6 driver and RAFfireman) on 03 March 2010.

My Father drove one of these at RAF Pershore, Royal Radar Research Base, in the 60's. He thought it was a great machine. I stood in the cab as a teenager, would love too see one again. Anyone know where one is kept. Thanks

Added by Ian Lisseman on 10 June 2011.

Wish this was still in my front garden as it was when I first had it running 7 yeras ago. The backfire from the exhaust put my chickens off laying for a week!!! Still it was worth it to be the only one to drive this magnificent piece of firefighting technology on the public road again even if that was only for the hour it took to get it onto a low loader. We had great times in 2004 restoring this to the condition in the photo.

Added by David Hughes (ex RAFmk6 driver) on 10 June 2011.

I was a Mk 6 driver in the 60s. I was one of the lucky ones as most sections I was on were short of Mk 6 drivers so most duties were on the Mk 6, I remember when I was stationed at RAF Wyton when the 6 was left ticking over for a while, the fluid coupling overheated and it literally blew up, never to go again, taken away on a low loader, but I must say it was always a favourite all round with the lads, I was also stationed at St Athan when the driving school was there, we got in with the instructors and had some good times on the school Mk 6s, they were a cab and concrete on the back in place of the water tank, great times, great vehicles. great fun.
John Irwin, (ex RAF fireman)

Added by John Irwin on 17 November 2011.

I used to drive mkv1 at wittering 73/76 the
best I've ever driven.

Added by Dougie Hurst on 21 November 2011.

For anyone still, like me, interested in the MK6 "Salamander" Crash Truck here is a tip! Get a copy of "Alvis Saracen Family" written by Bill Munro (ISBN 1 86126 537 9) and read chapter 5 "The Salamander". Answers many questions, ie Pyrene/Foamite equipment: The RCAF G19 what was it?: the 8 x 8 MK7 ?: pictures and all the technical stuff too!
Got mine for my Birthday, if you have an interest put it on your Christmas list. This is not an advert in any way, just the best info. and pic's I've found in an 18 month search for information about the vehicle my father drove at RAF Pershore. He was Leading Fireman/Instructor Reg Lisseman.
Anyone who know's anything please contact me.


Added by Ian Lisseman on 21 November 2011.

I owned one of these back in 1973 briefly... it was an ex-RCAF Somerside truck. Had it in Saint John, NB. It was 1956 or 58 as I recall. it was a toy for me... just because. Some salvage yard in Fredericton had three of them ...

Added by David E Baird on 13 January 2012.

I have the A.P.4576B which was for the Mk 6, 6A, and 6C, (volume 1 and vloume 6) that is very interesting reading, brings back loads of memories, also an A.P. 957.
John Irwin, (ex RAF fireman)

Added by John Irwin on 14 January 2012.

Just a matter of interest the different marks of the Mk 6 is as follows
The original Mk 6 had a suction eye, the CBM (later BCF) hoses on drums, and had a 2500 GPM monitor.
Mk 6A did not have a suction eye; the CBM (later BCF) hoses were flaked in, and had a 2500 GPM monitor.
Mk 6C same as Mk 6A but had a 2500/5000 GPM monitor.
Mk 6B same as the Mk 6 but converted to a 2500/5000 GPM monitor.
Mk 6D same as the Mk 6A but converted to a 2500/5000 GPM monitor.


Added by Dave Wickwar on 15 January 2012.

John, my favourite bit in AP957 was that "station firemen are exempt from other station duties". Never a parade or orderly duty in twelve years. suited me fine :)

Added by Firebum on 15 January 2012.

Lucky David Baird. this is an expensive toy as they were a pig to keep serviceable. As any ex RAF MT mechanic. A Few updates on production nd speed etc as I am an ex Mk 6 Driver. 45 MPH was the top speed and 5000gpm of foam could be produced using either the monitor on 5000 gpm or the two sidelines (branchpipes) at 2500 gpm each. Absolutely fantastic vehicle to drive on an airfield (or around Cardiff on your driving test for that matter). Great fun flattening all the bunny holes dug by our little furry friends down the undershoot at Finningley after refuelling on a Monday morning. They dug them over the weekend and I flattened them on a Monday while bouncing around to release the tension in the hubs after the drive to the airmans mess and back.

Added by David Hughes on 15 January 2012.

Top speed was 53 MPH in 5th at 4000 RPM (max RPM was governed to 4000 RPM) optimum RPM was 3200 it was normally driven between 2500 and 3500 RPM. Crash start was 4000 RPM in each gear.
Foam production was Maximum 5000 GPM. Monitor 2500/5000 Sideline 1600 GPM Pump pressure 160 PSI. 9000 gallons of foam on a tank of water (700 gallons) in 1.8 minutes at maximum. Foam compound carried was 110 gallons.
Foam system was blown foam by means of an 800 cu ft per minute generator, pumped as foam through 4 inch x 60 feet canvas hose.
Also carried 16 gallons of CBM discharged through 2 x 100 feet hoses, later converted to 10 gallons of BCF pressurized to 125 PSI.


Added by Dave Wickwar on 16 January 2012.

While I am no expert, only being a retired Country Fire Service Officer in Australia, I seem to remember being told that both Pyrene and Foamite built these units and the different makes was identified by having the cab doors swung from the rear edge on Pyrene and front edge on Fomite

Added by Ron Kennedy on 18 January 2012.

You are right Ron, the foamite Mk 6 had the doors hinged at the front, believe they were made for the RCAF and they had to produce foam on the move, they did not have CBM/BCF lines accessible from the outside, as the all the Pyrene did. They may have been used in the UK on civilian airfields. I have never seen a RAF foamite MK6 don’t know if they had any. I was a Mk6 driver for 10 years+ until they were withdrawn from service.

Added by Dave Wickwar on 22 January 2012.

I have 3 pictures of the ex RCAF unit I owned if that helps.

Added by David Baird on 23 January 2012.

During my service time 67/83 no Mk6 was used on civil airfields, only if they were a joint civil/military airfield and fire fighting crews were RAF personnel.

Added by Bobe on 23 January 2012.

I drove these throughout the 60, s. MkVIa modified Braking from MKVI. A great veh to drive. Army varients had more clutch problems doe to job required of them. Crew even managed to write one off in Wildenrath (Jan 63) trying to jump a wide dyke on route to a practice crash. Driver had no knowledge of Dyke owing to thick covering of snow that year.

Added by Harry Blunden (Frey) on 11 February 2012.

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