Fire Engines Photos

Keep umm coming Aaron,we don't mind abit of rough on the side on this site,and especially after seeing a little spit and polish,many come up real sweet.Great picture mate and thanks for sharing it with us.

Added by Pete Matten on 28 July 2009.

Aaron, what a classic pic and story mate, would love to see more photos of the GMC? parked next to her too,, I'd have a heart attack if I stumbled over a find like this!!

Added by Pav in Perth, Western Australia on 29 July 2009.

Thanks for posting these two pictures of your Dennis Ace,however, I'm curious about the truck next to it. It appears to be an extremely rare Studebaker, military pattern. Do you know if it survives? Thanks.


Added by Bob Graham on 29 July 2009.

Pav, when i came across the trucks I knew exactly what it was having driven a mate's ace only a few months before. The owner did not know it was there only the big tanker, so after much convincing he agreed to give me the truck. Just pumped up the tyres,new oil anf water and she kicked over. I have to agree, its was the find of the century.

Added by Bart on 29 July 2009.

Nice one Aaron, thanks for sharing!

Added by John Stott on 29 July 2009.

Great story, Aaron; and with a happy ending.

We, Devoted Readers here, see all too many great rigs, ending up on the junk-pile, or rusted away in the back-lot.

So, good news, like your Dennis Ace Fire-Truck rescued here; is all the more appreciated.

And looks like you have captured another treasure next door - an ex WW-2 USA Army GMC "Deuce-and-a- Half" 2.5 Ton 6x6 Truck; aka "The Work-Horse of The Army".

This one is perhaps a "Jimmy", General Motors Corporation, GMC CCKW-353; as International Harvester Corporation, and, Studebaker, also built them.

Me also; more pictures please !

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 29 July 2009.

I think I took a few more photos of it when I found them. The owner was using it to fill water troughs for the animals i think. I thought it was a Studebaker. I will check with Brian Blunt as he is very switched on when it comes to this stuff. The NSWFB I think had six tankers built by the forestry commision back in the 1950's for the Blue Mountains fire stations but
i thought they were on GMC's; could be wrong though!. I drove past the old shed last week and pointed out to my kids that is were the Ace came from. I think it is still there. i can go and check if anyone is interested in saving her.

Added by Aaron Bischoff on 29 July 2009.

Brian Blunt has not let us down. he says it is a Studebaker ( model US-6 )as the fire brigades had GMC. A lot of the bush fire brigades acquired them to replace the older blitz

Added by Aaron Bischoff on 30 July 2009.

I'm glad to see agreement that this is a Studebaker tanker; Aaron points out that many Studebaker chassis were converted to tankers for rural brigade, and the Australian fire site confirms this. My hope is that some of these rare trucks will wind up in preservation as has been the case with the GMCs. The Studebaker-Reo military trucks were not widely used by US forces, rather were they sent to various countries as prt of Lend-Lease, especially USSR. In the Pacific Theater of Operations, the 6x6 general purpose trucks were Internationals--both US Marines and Navy used them almost exclusively;
Very few of these have been preserved.

Added by Bob Graham on 31 July 2009.

Hi Bob - thanks, I didn't know that REO also built these classic 6 x 6 Army Trucks.

REO Trucks, after Ransome E. Olds; also the General Motors Oldsmobile car.

This 'Site has 2 photos of a REO Pumper at picture 16655 and picture 16657.

Maybe now, there's hope that someone on this 'Site will bring up photos of the rare models.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 31 July 2009.

Now, Bob; Studebaker US-6 2.5 ton 6x6 Army Truck;

How did you identify this one as a product of the Studebaker Brothers' firm, versus GMC, IHC or REO ?

You must have the 'eagle eye'.... as there were over 800,000 of these trucks built; winding up in all kinds of modifications and roles....

Me again,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 31 July 2009.

have you got any more photos of the studebaker,i have a soft spot for them but cant afford to buy 1 yet,its great to see you saved the ace also

Added by Grant Ward on 17 January 2010.

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