Upload a Picture
About this Site | Links | Random Pic | Advanced Search
Home | Latest Additions | Contributors
| Visitors
Fire Engine Photos
No: 21479 Contributor: Chad Year: 2010 Manufacturer: American LaFrance Country: United States of America
20's Model American LaFrance Pumper
Photo is of a lates 20's model American LaFrance Vintage Parade Fire Truck taken in southern Fulton County Georgia. The unit is privately owned by a Firefighter and is located at Chattahoochee Hills Fire Station 51. The exact year model and specifications such as GPM or tank size is unknown. Unit is drivable and often is used in the area for parades or special functions.
Photo is of a lates 20's model American LaFrance Vintage Parade Fire Truck taken in southern Fulton County Georgia. The unit is privately owned by a Firefighter and is located at Chattahoochee Hills Fire Station 51. The exact year model and specifications such as GPM or tank size is unknown. Unit is drivable and often is used in the area for parades or special functions.
Good description Pat.According to Fire Apparatus Journal, this size appliance usually had a 350-500gpm single stage pump. The "booster" hose for the chemical was usually coiled up in a basket behind the driver.
Added by David L on 15 January 2010.
Added by David L on 15 January 2010.
American LaFrance
The Soda-Acid Tank is the copper-coloured one, with the Hand-Wheel(for activating the acid, into the soda-water solution to make pressure), located behind the Driver's bench-seat.
Often, the Soda-Acid was used as First Attack at the fire; while the pump was being coupled up to water supply, and water got flowing.
Pump is under Driver's bench with the red-painted gas-tank (petrol-tank) behind. Probably gravity-feed to the engine; so it had to be located high enough to ensure a flow, even while going up the steepest hills.
Easy to check fuel-level; likely, refuelled by handing up jugs of gasoline and tipping them in.
Wooden-spoked "Artillery Wheels", with a high ground-clearance, for the rough and muddy roads of the time. And, Pneumatic Tires, too.
Bags of room to carry the crew - on the running-boards and rear-step - grab-handles provided.
Even got an Emergency Signal - the bell that looks like its rung by someone on the rear-step. The Officer in the exposed seat was mostly likely busily dodging stones,low-flying birds, other road-debris, etc; plus hanging on for dear life.
Right-Hand Drive, common for the time - good for the Driver to 'spot' his rig alongside the curb-side water-supply.
Ah memories; kids, we would chase behind such a rig on our bikes - 2nd Truck to the local VFD Series 700 ALF Pumper.
It was 'Improved' - actually had a wind-shield for the long-suffering Officer, a mechanical syren(Pav's 'growler'); and Driver was on conventional Left-Hand Side.
Today's 'Healthy & Safety' would have a bird; but good to see such a great rig safely in preservation; and still running.
Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B
Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 14 January 2010.