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Dennis Magirus F123 - 1977
RTN144S is a Dennis F123 Magirus 100' Turntable Ladder appliance. It served with Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Fire Brigade from new until it was withdrawn from service in 1993. Stationed at Brigade Headquarters with call sign D3 (Pilgrim Street) it has been to many 20+ pump fires. This type of Dennis is more commonly known as a Dennis Delta which refers to the special low line chassis which enables the ladder to be located as low as possible. The Perkins V8 engine is located well behind the front axle so that the area around the driver's and officer's seats is very open.
The ladder is a Magirus DL30 which was the first introduction of a ladder with 2 man cage into the United Kingdom. The ladder is fully controlled by electrically operated solenoid hydraulic valves. This enables the man in the cage to control all ladder movements by a small control panel. In addition a further remote control panel on the end of a 50 metre cable can be plugged into the base of the ladder so that operations can be controlled from the ground at a safe working distance or from a better view point if the appliance is operating as a water tower.
RTN144S is a Dennis F123 Magirus 100' Turntable Ladder appliance. It served with Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Fire Brigade from new until it was withdrawn from service in 1993. Stationed at Brigade Headquarters with call sign D3 (Pilgrim Street) it has been to many 20+ pump fires. This type of Dennis is more commonly known as a Dennis Delta which refers to the special low line chassis which enables the ladder to be located as low as possible. The Perkins V8 engine is located well behind the front axle so that the area around the driver's and officer's seats is very open.
The ladder is a Magirus DL30 which was the first introduction of a ladder with 2 man cage into the United Kingdom. The ladder is fully controlled by electrically operated solenoid hydraulic valves. This enables the man in the cage to control all ladder movements by a small control panel. In addition a further remote control panel on the end of a 50 metre cable can be plugged into the base of the ladder so that operations can be controlled from the ground at a safe working distance or from a better view point if the appliance is operating as a water tower.
I have just bought some F123 manuals for this machine on ebay. Inside the front cover was the registration number SNV403R. I doubt if SNV403R has been as lucky as RTN144S. Does anyone have any pictures of SNV403R or know what became of it?
Added by Dr. B.A. Hutchinson on 15 February 2017.
Added by Dr. B.A. Hutchinson on 15 February 2017.
With this rather rare Delta chassis, Dennis followed ERF in emulating the American idea of placing the engine behind the front axle to achieve a low profile cab.
This configuration was pioneered by American La France in the 1940s, and became the norm in the US in later years with both open, canopy and fully enclosed cabs. Morita/Hino have since done the same, with a four door cab entirely in front of the front axle.
Other European manufacturers, especially IVECO, have tended to solve the problem by hanging the driver's cab on the front of the frame. This is fine if you don't need a crew cab, but of course aerial ladders in both the US and Japan are normally configured for a four to six person crew.
Added by Rob Johnson on 15 February 2017.
This configuration was pioneered by American La France in the 1940s, and became the norm in the US in later years with both open, canopy and fully enclosed cabs. Morita/Hino have since done the same, with a four door cab entirely in front of the front axle.
Other European manufacturers, especially IVECO, have tended to solve the problem by hanging the driver's cab on the front of the frame. This is fine if you don't need a crew cab, but of course aerial ladders in both the US and Japan are normally configured for a four to six person crew.
Added by Rob Johnson on 15 February 2017.
I remember driving November 3 VCU 581T from a demonstration of the ladder at Hebburn (Kilo 3 - South Shields' TL was off the run) to a turnout to Cherry Knowles Hospital in Ryhope (south of Sunderland) and these machines didn't half bounce around roundabouts when driving at speed. I used to throw it about a bit though!!! I remember the o-i-c's face being a peculiar shade of a greeny white. Quite amusing on reflection.
Added by David E. Robinson on 18 July 2017.
Added by David E. Robinson on 18 July 2017.
Magirus invented the turntable ladder in 1892, which was a manually operated horse drawn 25 meter wooden one, and developed the first PTO operated TL on a petrol truck chassis in 1916.
In 1953 they introduced the first hydraulic TL, and in 1994 the innovative TL with an articulated top section was first produced.
Although vigorously challenged by Carl Metz, the firm still has a strong position in the aerial ladder and platform business, and is now of course integrated into IVECO.
Added by Rob Johnson on 24 August 2017.
In 1953 they introduced the first hydraulic TL, and in 1994 the innovative TL with an articulated top section was first produced.
Although vigorously challenged by Carl Metz, the firm still has a strong position in the aerial ladder and platform business, and is now of course integrated into IVECO.
Added by Rob Johnson on 24 August 2017.
Dennis
Added by Alan Ramsay on 10 June 2015.