Fire Engines Photos

this is a RAF/RN Airfield crash truck Mk7 700galls water 110 Conentrate.eng RRB81 crashbox first Of the production on the run type appliances came into service 1966/67 5000galls foam per min air blown foam system.

Added by Bobe on 03 December 2009.

Thanks for this Chris, and to add to Bobs comments, the Mk7 was designed to be air portable and served overseas extensively, hence the squashed appearance. It was liked by many airmen as it actually had good performance although the cab was cramped. It also carried a useful BCF system and two hoses ( the rear cradles carried these ) Discharge for blown foam was through the monitor and 6 inch sidelines. Although the Godiva 650gpm could also draw from open water and had standard outlets as well. No tubing was fitted to this appliance. Another useful function was producing on the move and at the time, it was the only RAF appliance capable of this. Locker space was limited and only a fifteen foot ladder carried, along with a ceiling hook, four lengths hard suction and foam lance strapped to the roof.

Added by John Stott on 03 December 2009.

What a fine appliance the Mk7 was. They formed the backbone of Malta's airfield crash rescue services for nearly 30 years. Out of a total of seven vehicles none have survived. The last surviving example was sadly broken up these past few weeks. Two years of efforts by the Malta Historic Vehicle Trust to save it failed, the animal who owned it was too thick to realise its importance. Darwin missed a trick when he went to the Galapagos Islands looking for his missing link, he should have come to Malta, plenty of specimens here.

Added by Mario Zammit on 17 December 2009.

Mario, as always your sense of humour had me rolling at that! Alls not lost though as there is an example at the RAF Fire Service museum, be a nice swap for your Bedford Domestic??

Added by John Stott on 18 December 2009.

Hi John, another nice try! Though to be honest I personally would consider it. But its not my decision alone and it wouldn't be right. I suppose bitter disappointment brings the humour out. As some friends have pointed out, this sad development allows us to concentrate on the vehicles we actually have. Wish the funding would be a bit more forthcoming though.

Added by Mario Zammit on 18 December 2009.

I know what you mean Mario, I restore old tractors and some people will just let a classic rot rather than part with them. Humans are strange creatures indeed.

Added by John Stott on 19 December 2009.

Hi All,
Yep worked with these trucks during my RAF service from 1976 - 1980's!They were a good truck if you knew how to drive & operate them properly? Rolls Royce engine was a little sluggish when cold, but once up to temp was ok!Drivers space was a little crampt with so many things to damage yourself, ie: miss a gearshift & your elbow hit the monitor pipework,the high/low ratio lever down right side of seat could trap you hand when disengaging! Also had a accident with the dual tank levers connected from cab to rear pump compartment,driver pulled it at same time I did trapping my hand between it & side of the truck! Still bear the scar to this day! Also saw one put on its side at Catterick fire school when on maintenance staff there, Tac Ops course doing a hot fire ops turned in & hit brakes at same time enough to roll on to its side!! Hope you enjoy reading my comments on this truck, is there any restored anywhere?

Added by Stephen Taylor on 01 April 2010.

Just to update you all, we have finally managed to secure a Mk7 here on Malta! Unbelievable! It was parked in a corner in the very same yard that the broken up one was. The scrapman finally let us have it. So our crash truck collection now includes a TACR 1 Land Rover, a Dp1 in bits (!), a DP 3, a MK V and the Mk 7.

Added by Mario Zammit MHVT on 02 April 2010.

The RAF fire service museum at Barkston Heath has a mark7 that i have worked on its in running condition too

Added by Jason Lester on 02 April 2010.

This looks similar to the RAAF fire trucks I used to operate. Great cross-country vehicle, it fitted nicely into a Herc. Our trucks had 4 huge CO2 bottles but I forget how much foam and water. We crewed it with four RAAF firemen - i miss those days.

Added by Dave Mallett on 29 April 2010.

I drove the Mk 7's whilst serving at RNAS Portland in Somerset in the early 1970's. Found them cramped having to climb over the seat and gear lever to get in and the gear shift a little close together and if not careful could miss a gear. But overall a useful piece of kit.

Added by Bill on 06 August 2010.

Dave, the Mk7 was intended to be air portable, that is why it looks a little ungainly.

Added by Mario Zammit on 06 August 2010.

If the vehicle was at Yarm it would have come from one of the RAF Airfields in the area or from the RAF Fire School at Catterick, I to have fond memories of working with this type during my RAF service, a proper drivers truck, manual, petrol and a back to front gearbox great.

Added by Gordon Smith on 09 August 2010.

I used to drive these when in the Naval Air Command Fire Service whilst at RNAS Portland. Nice bit of kit but slow to warm up and sometimes found the gear lever would stick in low gears.

Added by Bill on 10 August 2010.

Manston Fire Museum has one in the reserve collection (un-restored). I gave Steve Shirly a hand with it and got it running after a bit of fettlinglast year (first gear only when so a limited run outside the hanger at Scampton!) He hopes to restore...

Added by Paul H on 19 August 2010.

A wonderful piece of kit. I drove at brize norton in 1967 to 1970

Added by Dave Cherry on 07 December 2010.

Anyone know the whereabouts of Mk7 26 AG 84 based at Thorney Island from new 1965 until 1976 when Thorney Island closed. I have photos of it in 1965-1975-after 1976 date unknown- and 2008 looking not to good but intacted.

Added by Dave Wickwar on 18 December 2010.

It went to RAF North Coates and then Bawdsey

Added by Wayne Davies on 18 December 2010.

we actually had one MK7 on the firemens strike in 1977 (I think) although it was a bit slow it was far better than the very slow green goddess, Oh happy days,

Added by Robin Jones ( Jonhah) on 08 June 2011.

We had three of them at Machrihanish up until mid '89 when we got a MK9 to replace them. I believe one was sold to a local haulier but no idea about the others. The runway was very old and they were getting very tired by then!

Added by Robby Robinson on 30 August 2011.

Hi Robby,
Was at Mac from 1982-84 & there was 2 x Mk7's, Mk9 & Tac 2 then. We only used the 7's for when they did load ups with the Nimrods or for when we had to increase the cat for large movements.Plus where used for the filming of the Columbia pictures film "White Nights" in the aircraft crash scene complete with red stars & Russian plates.Pity it ended up on the cutting room floor & not in the final film.

Added by Stephen Taylor on 31 August 2011.

The best truck I ever drove, worked with them at RAF North Coates, Wyton & in Cyprus.

Added by Guy (stan) Bowes on 27 February 2012.

I worked on these as a young MT Mechanic in Malta between July '76 and August '78. Great times in a great location. I'm pretty sure the trucks were 26AG90, 26AG92, 26AG98 and 27AG00 which was christened "AGOO". We also had 3 x Mark9's. A DP2 with modified rear bodywork (cut down) a DP3 the bane of our lives, always going wrong. A TacR and a TacT. Also 3x Bedford Angus Domestic trucks. Will try to upload a couple of Pics, one showing a Mk7 probably getting a new clutch as the Gearbox is on the floor in front of it.

Added by Bob Croton on 02 January 2013.

Hi Bob, thanks for your comments! We actually have managed to save the DP3, a Mk7 and the TACR1 from the scrapman. All need a lot of tlc, they are in a pretty rough way but relatively complete. The DP3 was in service right up to 1995 at Malta International Airport, the Mk7 was retired shortly afterwards. Very interesting about the DP2. Whenever I saw photos of it I wondered what on earth it was. The first pic I ever saw of it were taken at the Zabbar Vulcan crash in '74 I believe. As for the Mk9s, I had heard rumours of them having been here but as there was no photographic evidence I tended to dismiss it. About two years ago I came across a photograph tantalisingly showing the rear end of a Mk9. What you have said confirms it all beyond any shadow of a doubt. Do you know the registration numbers of any of the 9s? When the RAF pulled out they left behind a total of I believe seven Mk7s and took the Mk9s with them (no doubt because of Mr.Mintoff's idiotic antics at the time).

Added by Mario Zammit on 05 January 2013.

the best crash truck from the 70s in RAF service, we had 1 at Colerne and I loved driving it, we had sump heaters fitted and it was always warm and ready to rock and roll, had a lot of banter with the Mk6 drivers over which was best but for me it had to be the mk7, we also had a Mk8 but we only used it if the 6 or 7 was off the run ha ha

Added by Edmund Peschel on 05 January 2013.

Further to Mario's comments, there were 3 Mark 9's in Malta. They were 27AJ04, 27AJ08 and 27AJ13. 13 was returned to the UK in '76 just after I arrived as I helped out with it's pre-allotment service and preservation for the sea voyage. Pretty sure the DP2 was 26AG44 and the TACR 30AG55.

Added by Bob Croton on 26 January 2013.

I was a Crash Driver on the Fire Station RNAS Portland 1974/1979 and I drove the Mk7 Fire Engine for about 2nhalf years. Sometimes had to slightly stand to swing the Engine around corners as I dont think we had Power Steering in them days and also the Cab was Offset.I really loved driving this vehicle as most other drivers want to.When I went back to RNAS Portland after been onboard Ship for 18 months my baby had gone and was replaced by a more modern Fire Engine which was Automatic.MK6.

Added by MICHAEL JOHN GARFORTH on 21 March 2015.

First time I drove the 7 after doing my Tactical driving at Catterick 1976 was at Stornoway on a NATO exercise.1977. HEAVY!

Added by George on 24 July 2016.

Hi Guys, I have a mate who is recovering from a serious illness, he served as an RAF Malta fireman and wants to build a model of a RAF MK7. If anyone has any photos or drawings you can send I will pass them onto him.

Many thanks

Dave Rose. Email: [email protected]

Added by David Rose on 02 October 2017.

I worked on these as a MT mechanic at RAF North Coates between 1981/84, I will always remember my boss, Sgt Dyer telling me I would never forget working on these, he was so right, loved working on them,

Added by Ralph on 03 December 2023.

Drove these at raf akrotir, cyprus for 2 and a half years. i loved them.

Added by Bruce bagley on 14 September 2026.

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