Fire Engines Photos

Almost an exact copy of a Chicago Mack MB pumper, including the black cab roof and green right-side warning light! Munster is just over the state line from Chicago, and must feel an affinity for their Northern big brother...unless of course this is a unit which saw earlier service in CFD.

Added by Rob Johnson on 24 October 2013.

This is an MC model tilt cab apparatus, which succeeded the MB model in 1979.Chicago did not have a MC-chassied pumper, their Mack pumper purchases after 1970 were only 1 CF model in 1971, and 10 1974 Mack MB/Howes that were rebodied by E1.
As for CFD's black over red, perhaps the movie Backdraft was partly responsible for the spread of this scheme nationwide. A recent issue of FIRE APPARATUS JOURNAL had photos of black over red rigs for 6 states plus British Columbia.In the same issue, there were also black/silver and black/orange rigs!!!

Added by Warren W. Jenkins on 24 October 2013.

I remember seeing a few of CFD's MB pumpers when I first lived in Chicago in 1979. The story I was told was that they were short wheelbase units and more maneuverable than other CFD engines in the fleet at the time.

Quite a few suburban Illinois departments adopted both CFD's black over red livery, as well as the unique nautical right side green flashing lights - which were introduced by CFD's ex-naval Chief before WWII.

CFD still have the green lights, but have not introduced them on their EMS ambulances - which are white with red stripes rather than being painted to match the fire apparatus.

The MC was also quite popular on Long Island when I lived there, and quite a few volunteer companies had them. The CF was of course very common on LI in its day, with the Baker Aerialscope being especially well regarded - and still a mainstay of FDNY on Seagrave chassis.

It is a pity the Renault management decided to discontinue the CF after they bought Mack - the brand might have continued to do well in the fire apparatus market if they had decided to market the prototype replacement.

Added by Rob Johnson on 24 October 2013.

This engine was originally ordered without the black paint. Munster had a older CF model rebuilt around 1995 and all their trucks were repainted after that.

Added by Joe Usselman on 01 November 2013.

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