Fire Engines Photos

According to the 50th anniversary of East Sussex FB booklet published by the brigade in 1998, EKM 316T was the first Bedford CSV bought by East Sussex, and had been an HCB-Angus demonstrator which had been trialled & crashed by Kent FB. After repair it was purchased by the Brigade and served at several stations including Eastbourne. In 1993 EKM 316T, which was the only East Sussex CSV with an automatic gearbox, was donated to Guyana Fire Brigade in South America. By a process of illimination BUF 993T was the first "production" CSV purchased by East Sussex. I seem to recall one featuring on TV (Blue Peter or Tomorrows world i think)explaining how much safer they were than traditional wooden/fibreglass bodied appliances. Michael your pictures are excellent, have you got any of the East Sussex appliances that transfered to West Sussex in 1974??.
East Sussex purchased the CSVs between 1979 & 1982, then buying the cheaper Bedford HSC (High strength cabs)version, prior to purchasing Volvo pumps from 1987 onwards. Jon Godden.

Added by Jon Godden on 07 October 2009.

Hi Jon, my father was a retained fireman at Wadhurst during the 1980's so my pictures and knowledge are based around that station, and the appliances based there at the time. As a school boy I was pretty interested in such things, and took a number of photo's, the black & white one above was actually sent to me by ESFB (I was almost right about it being the first CSV!)

I do have some more pictures of JPM336D and NNJ282M, plus some station shots. These will all need to be scanned first though. Do you know if the 50th anniversary booklet is still available anywhere? I'd be quite interested to have a browse through one.

Mike.

Added by Mike G on 08 October 2009.

Mike,
BUF 993T was at one stage in the ownership of the Redsheen Kennels private fire brigade in Speldhurst, nr Tunbridge Wells - a Mr Moon, I think. It certainly turned up at one of the early Bentley Fire Shows in the mid-90s. Regarding the 50 year history, I wrote it for the Brigade and I think I still have a few spare copies in my garage. If you still need one, let me know and I'll have a look.

Added by Bruce Hoad on 12 July 2012.

Jon, sorry but BUF 993T was part of a batch of 4 with BUF 992T being the first of this batch which went to Eastbourne 3 at Lewes 4 to Hove , Wadhurst and 5 to Crowborough.
EKM 316T was as you say bought by ESFB after Kent had crashed it and then stationed at Eastbourne, Battle then brigade spare, sold to fire-aid spending its last days in Guyana but this was after the first 4 CSV's were delivered to East Sussex.
The first CSV was may be one of the very first production models built by HCB-Angus in 1978.It was first given to Preston Circus in Brighton then Seaford.
It was registered RHC 606S I'm sure this pump ended its days at training centre and was fitted with a manual primmer which was a little confusing as a new recruit.
I will post a picture of this pump in the next few days.


Added by Shaun R. on 14 July 2012.

The CSV stationed at Wadhurst was one of a later batch, it's reg was RYJ424X. Was new to Station 15 and later at Forest Row. None of the "BUF" reg ones were stationed at Wadhurst.

Added by Michael G on 16 July 2012.

BUF933T I can confirm was owned by the late Mr Frank Moon, Redsheen. I repaired this unit to return to service. I have pictures of this machine.

Added by Mr Moon on 02 May 2020.

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