1958 Bedford S Type Fire Engine made by Carmichaels. Spent all its working life in Suffolk ending up at RAF Woodbridge. Now on the Isle of Sheppey Kent. Photo taken 27th August 2016
This machine was for a number of years (1960s to early '70s) Retained Crew manned WrT at Normanshurst (Lowestoft) Whole time + Retained station. Callsign was C1/9. C/1 = station code (Normanshurst was then C division HQ. 9 = WrT.
This appliance was one of five supplied to the Suffolk and Ispswich fire brigade, supplied by Carmichael & Sons coach builders of Worcester. Appliances built on the popular Bedford SLHZ chassis were rare with the exception of the Home Office Pumps (Green Goddess). This appliance is constructed from steel and Alloy bodywork similiar build process that was adopted by Alfred Miles. This was to a higher specification than the normal method of ash framing incorporating marine ply and this would explain why this lovely appliance has survived so well compared to the normal construction methods. Previous deliveries to Suffolk incorporated jack-knife crew doors and different bodywork design I believe this was the only one with the four door access to the cab and hammer finish alloy panelling. Some years ago I viewed PRT 956 from suffolk which had the jack knife crew doors and complete red livery with slam door shuttering the appliance was at a garden centre at the time and I believe was sold at auction does anyone out there have any knowledge where this may have gone to?
It seems a bit unusual, because most Bedford S type fire appliances were built on the chassis cowl ( like the famous Green Goddesses) or even with fully custom bodywork, rather that utilizing the factory cab like this example.It is arguable whether using the existing rather inaccessible Bedford cab doors by the DPO and OIC was a better solution than climbing in from the back doors, but presumably it was cheaper for the body builder to use the cab.
This appliance ran as second or third away to a whole time crewed WTL Bedford TK and a Dennis D pump escape, other appliances in the bay were Landover 100 rescue tender in white livery and two commer Carmichael water tenders all front line, in the ancillary bay was a div reserve Bedford s type water tender, I joined in 1972 and served for 40 years all at normashurst fire stn to the rank of stn officer, nice to see proper fire engines still being looked after.
This was my dad’s old fire engine, does anyone have my information on where it is now ? Or does anyone know the owner ? Would be really keen to get in touch with the current owner!!
This was my dad’s old fire engine, does anyone have my information on where it is now ? Or does anyone know the owner ? Would be really keen to get in touch with the current owner!!
ed - some clues on this page - looks like Kurt Golding had it on Sheppey a few years ago
Added by Jerry Hepworth on 25 September 2016.