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Fire Engine Photos
Portugal Lisbon RBS (former BSB) 1954 BEDFORD APR
After the major 1929/31 re-equipment effort that has ended the animal-traction era by means of the purchase of a lot of 29 Mercedes/Metz fire-fighting and command vehicles, the then BSB (nowadays RSB) upgraded again its response means in the 50s decade, namely by acquiring 3 special-purpose vehicles with a similar and quite elegant look/profile: 1 personnel and equipment carrier (APR-standing for Protection and Reinforcement Vehicle) and 2 twin emergency medium rescue units with a rear-mounted winch (AS1 and AS2 standing for Sappers Vehicle 1 and 2). This picture of the APR unit, now preserved in Lisbon’s uptown one-of-a-kind RSB Museum, was taken in 2010 at an open air exhibition. Out of memory it looks like the set of Portuguese-style wooden ladders and pike poles (carried on the roof) are missing but otherwise the historical and mechanical condition of the vehicle is very good. It is a “limousine style” 1954 Bedford, with a tailor-made body that could carry around 15 fire-fighters (12 seating on transversal benches containing assorted rescue and utility equipment). For the purpose of flood-water suction a light portable pump was carried in the rear “luggage” compartment, along with some tarps. This unit (parked at RSB HQs) was special-called on major fires and other incidents citywide, whenever additional manpower (usually fire-fighters on training/probation) was required. It was also used for training duties. To be noted that that were no lateral windows in the rear cabin... It saw active service with the fully professional Municipal Fire Service of Lisbon (RSB, ex-BSB) until probably the 70s.
After the major 1929/31 re-equipment effort that has ended the animal-traction era by means of the purchase of a lot of 29 Mercedes/Metz fire-fighting and command vehicles, the then BSB (nowadays RSB) upgraded again its response means in the 50s decade, namely by acquiring 3 special-purpose vehicles with a similar and quite elegant look/profile: 1 personnel and equipment carrier (APR-standing for Protection and Reinforcement Vehicle) and 2 twin emergency medium rescue units with a rear-mounted winch (AS1 and AS2 standing for Sappers Vehicle 1 and 2). This picture of the APR unit, now preserved in Lisbon’s uptown one-of-a-kind RSB Museum, was taken in 2010 at an open air exhibition. Out of memory it looks like the set of Portuguese-style wooden ladders and pike poles (carried on the roof) are missing but otherwise the historical and mechanical condition of the vehicle is very good. It is a “limousine style” 1954 Bedford, with a tailor-made body that could carry around 15 fire-fighters (12 seating on transversal benches containing assorted rescue and utility equipment). For the purpose of flood-water suction a light portable pump was carried in the rear “luggage” compartment, along with some tarps. This unit (parked at RSB HQs) was special-called on major fires and other incidents citywide, whenever additional manpower (usually fire-fighters on training/probation) was required. It was also used for training duties. To be noted that that were no lateral windows in the rear cabin... It saw active service with the fully professional Municipal Fire Service of Lisbon (RSB, ex-BSB) until probably the 70s.
This appliance is based on an A type. It appears to have a very long wheelbase - a modification perhaps ?
Added by Peter Goodall on 12 April 2014.
Added by Peter Goodall on 12 April 2014.
Bedford
Added by Rob Johnson on 09 April 2014.