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Hi John,
No its definatly a 'Big Six' it just has the later bonnet styling, the radiator is original as well - certainly from before its restoration as I have a photocopied picture from its previous owner with the rad in place when it was being recovered from Shannon in Co. Clare, the York Big Six belongs to me and is 1934 vintage, see Dr B A Hutchinsons West Ham one as well it has the earlier bonnet and radiator, Scunthorpe Fire Brigade had a 1940 Big Six with the same bonnet as this but earlier radiator style, BFU 427. The more I think about it though the registration is /was GLW 668 and not 168 as I posted earlier - one train of thought re the radiator is, it was wartime and such niceties as the correct rad were not vital to the machine so, if a standard radiatior was not available but a non standard one was it would be fitted to get the appliance out - considering it was Hornchurch's machine, - just outside the east end of London this would have been desperatly needed.
This need for appliances and savings is proven with my Aberdeen Leyland Cub FK9a the only one built, after it was finished the authorities decreed that to save on vital materials there was no need for two sets of deliveies etc, as in a side/ midships mounted pump and only rear mounted appliances would be built hence the FK8a was the standard model ! My FK9a also has a brass radiator/ deliveries and windscreen all fitted as part of the main build but then chrome hinges/ handles etc and no 'fancy embellishments' such as deflectors over the doors etc.
Added by Rick Loudon on 02 September 2008.
No its definatly a 'Big Six' it just has the later bonnet styling, the radiator is original as well - certainly from before its restoration as I have a photocopied picture from its previous owner with the rad in place when it was being recovered from Shannon in Co. Clare, the York Big Six belongs to me and is 1934 vintage, see Dr B A Hutchinsons West Ham one as well it has the earlier bonnet and radiator, Scunthorpe Fire Brigade had a 1940 Big Six with the same bonnet as this but earlier radiator style, BFU 427. The more I think about it though the registration is /was GLW 668 and not 168 as I posted earlier - one train of thought re the radiator is, it was wartime and such niceties as the correct rad were not vital to the machine so, if a standard radiatior was not available but a non standard one was it would be fitted to get the appliance out - considering it was Hornchurch's machine, - just outside the east end of London this would have been desperatly needed.
This need for appliances and savings is proven with my Aberdeen Leyland Cub FK9a the only one built, after it was finished the authorities decreed that to save on vital materials there was no need for two sets of deliveies etc, as in a side/ midships mounted pump and only rear mounted appliances would be built hence the FK8a was the standard model ! My FK9a also has a brass radiator/ deliveries and windscreen all fitted as part of the main build but then chrome hinges/ handles etc and no 'fancy embellishments' such as deflectors over the doors etc.
Added by Rick Loudon on 02 September 2008.
Rick - thanks, too.
I had also been puzzling over how a Rear-Mount Pump would save brass, over a Midships Pump - especially when the Rear-Mount would need a long drive-shaft and bearings, etc.
But, as you say, it is in the plumbing.
Regards, from Canada, Pat_R-B
Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 16 September 2008.
I had also been puzzling over how a Rear-Mount Pump would save brass, over a Midships Pump - especially when the Rear-Mount would need a long drive-shaft and bearings, etc.
But, as you say, it is in the plumbing.
Regards, from Canada, Pat_R-B
Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 16 September 2008.
Hello All...
I have a photo of this machine when it was in brigade workshops at Lexden, Colchester awaiting disposal, not sure when taken but probably mid 50s.. Will put the picture on here soon.
Roger Pickett Essex Fire Museum www.essex-fire.gov.uk
Added by Roger J Pickett. on 17 September 2008.
I have a photo of this machine when it was in brigade workshops at Lexden, Colchester awaiting disposal, not sure when taken but probably mid 50s.. Will put the picture on here soon.
Roger Pickett Essex Fire Museum www.essex-fire.gov.uk
Added by Roger J Pickett. on 17 September 2008.
I have this machine as chassis no 3115A with the reg no GLW 669 (not 168 ??) delivered to Hornchurch in 1941
Added by Barrie Green on 10 February 2013.
Added by Barrie Green on 10 February 2013.
Ok Barrie I'll go with that - perhaps a combination of 'lost in the mists of time' and perhaps one (or two) to many Guinnesses !!!!
Added by Rick Loudon on 11 February 2013.
Added by Rick Loudon on 11 February 2013.
Barrie,
Our records in Clare FRS show that this was GLW 668, chassis no 3115A, re-registered in Clare to 2406 IE. I dont have any record of it serving in Shannon (Although Dennis Light Four JHK 327 did). Our records show that GLW668 served in Kilrush Co.Clare.
Added by Gearóid Blake on 11 February 2013.
Our records in Clare FRS show that this was GLW 668, chassis no 3115A, re-registered in Clare to 2406 IE. I dont have any record of it serving in Shannon (Although Dennis Light Four JHK 327 did). Our records show that GLW668 served in Kilrush Co.Clare.
Added by Gearóid Blake on 11 February 2013.
Neal,
I cant pin down an exact date when the appliance arrived in Clare, but it was part of number bought over a period of a few years.
CCA 458 Dennis Light 4, 1939 ex Denbyshire and Montgomeryshire Joint Fire Service, bought 1951, FNO 535 Dennis Ace ( Chassis 7887), ex Essex bought in 1958, BLC 553 Dennis "Dual Purpose" (Chassis 7727) bought in 1954, ex London, GVW 136 (Chassis 7960)ex Essex bought in 1956, KUF 698 Dennis F7 ex Brighton bought in 1963, JHK 327 Light 4 ex Wanstead & Woodford FB, bought in 1955 BUJ 297 Albion ex Shropshire FB bought in 1962 and TL 9437 Leyland ex Lincolnshire FB bought in 1963.
Added by Gearóid Blake on 12 February 2013.
I cant pin down an exact date when the appliance arrived in Clare, but it was part of number bought over a period of a few years.
CCA 458 Dennis Light 4, 1939 ex Denbyshire and Montgomeryshire Joint Fire Service, bought 1951, FNO 535 Dennis Ace ( Chassis 7887), ex Essex bought in 1958, BLC 553 Dennis "Dual Purpose" (Chassis 7727) bought in 1954, ex London, GVW 136 (Chassis 7960)ex Essex bought in 1956, KUF 698 Dennis F7 ex Brighton bought in 1963, JHK 327 Light 4 ex Wanstead & Woodford FB, bought in 1955 BUJ 297 Albion ex Shropshire FB bought in 1962 and TL 9437 Leyland ex Lincolnshire FB bought in 1963.
Added by Gearóid Blake on 12 February 2013.
GLW668 Dublin museum catalogue entry reads
This Dennis was one of 84 mechanically similar vehicles built during the years 1935-1943 with various types of bodywork and known as Light Sixes or Big Aces. Ordered by Hornchurch Fire Brigade in the U.K., it was not delivered until 1942 when, registered GLW 668, it went direct to the National Fire Service, which was responsible for fire fighting throughout Britain during World War Two. When control of the fire services returned to local authority control in April 1948, the Dennis passed to one of the reconstituted brigades.
GLW 668 was one of several pre-owned appliances bought by Clare County Fire Service during the 1960s to provide improved cover for expanding towns and industrialisation. Re-registered 2406 IE in 1975, it served just until 1977 and was subsequently purchased by Sean Keoghan of Kilbeggan, who restored it, rallied it for several years and donated it to the museum in 2005.
This vehicle is currently on display in the Museum.
TECHNICAL DETAILS Dennis Big Ace chassis (available 1935-1943), wheelbase 13’ 4” (4064mm). Six-cylinder engine, bore 110mm, stroke 130mm, swept volume 7.4 litres, output 100 bhp at 3, 100 rpm. Four-speed gearbox, spiral bevel rear axle. Hydraulic brakes, 7.50 x 20 tyres. 12-volt electrics. Dennis pump. Merryweather 50’ 0” (1524mm) wheeled escape. Overall length 26’ 3” (8153mm).
Added by Petros on 02 August 2024.
This Dennis was one of 84 mechanically similar vehicles built during the years 1935-1943 with various types of bodywork and known as Light Sixes or Big Aces. Ordered by Hornchurch Fire Brigade in the U.K., it was not delivered until 1942 when, registered GLW 668, it went direct to the National Fire Service, which was responsible for fire fighting throughout Britain during World War Two. When control of the fire services returned to local authority control in April 1948, the Dennis passed to one of the reconstituted brigades.
GLW 668 was one of several pre-owned appliances bought by Clare County Fire Service during the 1960s to provide improved cover for expanding towns and industrialisation. Re-registered 2406 IE in 1975, it served just until 1977 and was subsequently purchased by Sean Keoghan of Kilbeggan, who restored it, rallied it for several years and donated it to the museum in 2005.
This vehicle is currently on display in the Museum.
TECHNICAL DETAILS Dennis Big Ace chassis (available 1935-1943), wheelbase 13’ 4” (4064mm). Six-cylinder engine, bore 110mm, stroke 130mm, swept volume 7.4 litres, output 100 bhp at 3, 100 rpm. Four-speed gearbox, spiral bevel rear axle. Hydraulic brakes, 7.50 x 20 tyres. 12-volt electrics. Dennis pump. Merryweather 50’ 0” (1524mm) wheeled escape. Overall length 26’ 3” (8153mm).
Added by Petros on 02 August 2024.
GLW reg is Greater London so NFS. My own light 4 (1943) was ordered chrome finish but on the order it’s scored out and noted as war finish. Pump parts left unpainted. Also have a Bristol hex drive socket set. Unpainted and marked as war finish too.
Added by Peter McCombie on 04 August 2024.
Added by Peter McCombie on 04 August 2024.
Unplated (don’t you love autocorrect )
Added by Peter McCombie on 05 August 2024.
Added by Peter McCombie on 05 August 2024.
Dennis
Added by John Walker on 02 September 2008.