Fire Engines Photos

Great pic thanks for sharing....the old Chief at Manchester Airport had is own ideas and had much different appliances than any other UK airport !

Added by Barrie Green on 24 March 2009.

This is an interesting vehicle, in that it was new to Cumberland Fire Brigade, was registered as 478 ARM, and was new to Penrith, later moving to Egremont. Despite its oversize tank, it apparently ran as a pump at Egremont, and passed to Manchester Airport from the brigade.

Added by Ian Moore on 24 March 2009.

Thanks for you comments,the old chief (whoever he was)had some really great appliances and the fire station was the best airport fire station that i had ever seen.

Added by Bob on 24 March 2009.

Bob he was called Mr Piat and he had some strange ideas. He had a Merc Unimog Rescue Tender which in the late 1950s early 60s was quite revolutionary in the UK This machine survives, just! in poor condition. I bet someone has a pic????

Added by Barrie Green on 25 March 2009.

Yes i have!

Added by Bob on 25 March 2009.

Hi Barrie; really interesting to see your old Fire Chief's ideas, as the pics of them on this 'Site, show him to be "bang on", with the trucks that he acquired.

For instance, this pumper/tanker looks about 1,000-plus Imp Gal tank. (4500+ litres).

Today, guess what ? - the 48 rural VFDs, run by the province of New Brunswick, in my area: are slowly being re-equpped with Pumper/Tankers of 1200 Imp Gal (5455 litres) tank-capacity on single dual-wheel rear axle. Hmmm, same as the Old Chief's, here....

Our first one on scene commences Fire Attack, as a Pumper, using his tank; second, and subsequent, trucks pump off to him; and then go on the Water Shuttle as Tankers. Sometimes, the second truck goes pumping at the water-source; to load each Shuttle Tanker.

So, Bristol Bob, please keep these B & W's of Mr Piat's machines coming - darned interesting to see his foresight, and these unique machines.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 31 March 2009.

Airside firefighting had/has its own problems Pat Many of the modern airports h(including Manchester) now have a water main and hydrants on or near the runways...in the 1960s this was not so and firefighters had to carry their own water with them, that's why crash tenders are so large in size. It was usual to have back-up water carrying trucks whos purpose was to connect to front line foam producing appliances to extend their capability.

Added by Barrie Green on 31 March 2009.

Commer 478ARM was new in 1959, had a Carmichael body and is shown in the book, Carmichael "The Family Years"

Added by Adrian Carmichael on 16 May 2022.

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