Photo a of a fleet of engines at the Canberra Fire Museum. Starting from left to to right: Dennis Canberra Fire Brigade, Middle: ACTFB Dennis and Right: ACTFB AEC
Picture added on 04 December 2007
Comments:
Dear Steve, what a brilliant photo, would that be the original Canberra Fire Brigade Headquarters before becoming the Museum?.The appliances are a tribute to the golden paste mate, its great how you got the staff to bring them out for the photo shot.The appliances looking from left to right are I beleave:-1927 Dennis with a No2 pump and Braidwood body, a simular machine is owned by The Board of Fire Commissioners in New South Wales, :-1971/72 Dennis D Series which of course during the early 70's were popular not just over here in the UK, but throughout Australia and New Zealand.The last appliance on the right is a 1969 AEC/Merryweather 125ft turntable ladder (No10), the sistership to this was (No9) which served its time with the New South Wales Fire Brigades.Once again mate, brilliant photograph....Pete Matten.
Thanks for your comment Pete. Yes indeed, the original Canberra Fire Brigade Headquarters building adjacent to the old Forrest Fire Station had become part of the museum. It was built in 1938 and is heritage listed in the ACT.
Added by Steven Schueler on 06 December 2007.
The intersting thing about the early Dennis (and in fact all the 250 gallon Dennis's which went to Australia) is the full padded leather 'Armchair' style seat. All the U.K. brigades had to make do with the basic bench seat style cushion. We always thought that the Australians were big softies!
Hallo Barry, yes mate you could be right, but this TL has a 5 section ladder which would make it a very unusual 100ft TL.The Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Perth(Western Australia)had a very simular AEC/Merryweather 100ft and this had only a 4 section ladder, which would be standard for a 100ft TL.I could also mension that the Northern Territory Fire Service(N.T.F.S)in Darwin also had a ERF/Metz 5 section TL, different make of vehicle of course, but once again, it was a 125ft TL and this seemed to be very common throughout the different States of Australia during the 1970's.This information is taken from photo's in my collection.Added by.....Pete M.
Pete, from the above photograph it only looked like 4 sections to me. The top red rails are surely just an extension of the fourth section for operator safety?
Barry, me again.I could send in picture from my collection, but have you looked at all the pictures Steve sent in.Look at picture #4860 of a close-up of the actual vehicle on its own.My photograph is as good, but the publishers would'nt need to show it because Steve's is a brilliant picture.....Pete M.
Oops! Caught napping, sorry guys, , , , Guilty of not following the string. The top red rail I believe is the safety extension of the fifth section. I'll post a photo of our 1976 AEC TGM Merryweather TTL and you will see the exact rail welded to the top fourth section, although in this case not painted red. Barry, I even missed your beautiful comment regards the mob of softies in Canberra. You realise Canberra is our seat of power (Parliament) so it is only natural the firies there would get away with a slide of hand like this when they placed the order for the 1927 Dennis!
Photo added today showing the ACTFB 125FT Turntable Ladder and shows clearly the vehicles 5 section ladder.View the following photo- (picture #5025)..Pete M.
Added by Pete Matten on 13 December 2007.
Re; the padded seats, and what looks like a padded bench seat for the crew on the sides.... on the '27 Dennis.
The roads, the roads - I don't think at that time, that they were all nice smooth asphalt - so you wouldn't want your responding crew all shook to bits, before they even arrive on scene. And, you'd want them still on the truck, too.
Contemporary North American Engines had the same provisions.
Having been down that road - literally - myself - on our dirt back-roads, but even with modern suspension systems - it is still hard on the bottom and the back-teeth. I can certainly empathize with those 1927 crews.
One of our 1984 Pumpers would shed both axes, stowed on the rear step, on the worst bumps.
Howsomeever, what a great shot of a great trio - and a real credit to the staff that have preserved and restored them. And, for us to enjoy them on this 'Site.
re debate on 5section or 4 section all 4 section ladders were 100 foot the one in the photo is one of 3 125 foot ladders built for australia at the same time, i know this because iworked on building them i worked at merryweathers from 1959 to 1973 building 100 footladders and 50 foot wheeled escapes the 125foot ladders were only for australia
William Chandler, so glad to read your comments and have you on board with us. If you have some pics of wheeled escapes you could post on the site I think we'd all be very pleased, thanks, , !! Mind you, seems how you worked at Merryweathers, any pics at all would be much appreciated!!
sorry no pictures something i sadly regret but it nice know my work is in a museum and being appreciated all i have is knowledge of how they were built
Hi I'm looking at restoring a Dennis 1930 Fire Engine and would like to know the market value before I start. Do you know or could you please help in any way. Regards Mike
Added by Pete Matten on 05 December 2007.