Fire Engines Photos

Ron, this appliance was in fact one of 3 Stonefield RT's(Rescue Tender)ordered by the West Sussex Fire Brigade(still shows badge on other side)back in the 1970's with the bodywork by Pilcher Green(my mate built this)of West Sussex and was due to go on the run at Crawley Fire Station.
Due to many problems, the first being the amount of equipment the brigade expected it to carry made it totally unstable and due to this fact the appliance never went on the run and was rejected by the brigade.The other 2 were never delivered and the order was cancelled.
I'd really like to know where this appliance has been for the last 30 years before the Museum finally got it.

Added by Pete Matten on 22 July 2011.

Thanks Peter

Added by Ron Henderson on 23 July 2011.

Thanks for the photo Ron. Just picking up on Pete's message, the Brigade would have provided a full list of equipment with the specification and I would have expected the bodybuilder to identify any problems at the design stage. It is very unusual for stability problems to only come to light on the tilt test, as this is usually just a formality.

I also think that there is a bit of confusion, as my recollection is that this was a single order, not one of three. It was to replace the Chubb CrT at Crawley, which was being replaced early because of increasing unreliability and difficulties with spare parts. At the time, the thinking was still that Crawley should have a rescue vehicle with more water and foam than the other RTs, because it covered Gatwick Airport and the M23. In addition, the Range Rover RTs were not due for replacement at that time.

I too would be interested to know where the Stonefield went after WSFB rejected it, although I believe that it has been with the Museum for many years now.

Added by Tony Morris on 02 August 2011.

Still at the museum. Starts and runs well. Very low mileage.

Added by Tony Foster on 26 February 2014.

Cambridge replaced their Bedford RL 4X4 ET with a very similar vehicle. It too had a very brief service life and was deemed too dangerous and unstable. It seems this may have been a generic design problem (like the Bremach) rather than just a question of payload.

AWD vehicles already have a high center of gravity in the best of circumstances. If you add a narrow track and a high body with equipment lockers to the roof, there is no detective work needed to see how cornering or driving on uneven terrain can provoke a flip - especially if the driver is "on the bell"...

Added by Rob Johnson on 21 August 2017.

Yesterday I put in some fresh petrol and a pair of batteries, started her and run her for about 20 mins.
This is in preparation for our move to a new museum site in Hampshire.

Added by A G FOSTER on 09 September 2017.

What new museum and where will that be please?. Pete.

Added by Pete Matten on 12 September 2017.

It will be the same museum, just a new site for it in Hampshire.

Added by A G FOSTER on 13 September 2017.

Mr Foster, I realised it would be the same museum pieces just moving to a new site, but wondered where exactly in Hampshire this would be so when open we can view the museum.

Added by Pete Matten on 14 September 2017.

On the A272 just outside Petersfield

Added by Tony Foster on 14 September 2017.

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