Fire Engines Photos

I imagine this photo was taken when FPO24X was new in 1982. It is Worthing's drill yard with a Dennis F44 in the background, and no station name plate which was fixed on the side of the body above the first taller locker. Never found out why it had two sets of air horns although it does make it very symmetrical. Slightly different blue lights on the roof to other West Sussex appliance of the era too.

Added by Jon Godden on 23 March 2020.

Jon, never mind the nod to symmetry, a twin set of two-tone horns is a blessing. I remember hearing these back in the ‘80s in Birmingham as all of the WMFS appliances had them back then. Awesome noise!

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 09 April 2020.

You mean there are actual difference for chassis for those that get fitted Simon SCA platforms compare to those with pump appliance?
In Hong Kong, all hydraulic platform are crew cabbed RS133 (one RS237), they have them for almost 40 years, 1982 with last one withdrawn early 2021.

Ed: Yes I think so but others can confirm. The DF chassis was too heavy for conventional British pumping appliances.

Added by Kevin Lo on 25 December 2021.

Aerial platforms, foam tenders and water tenders or tankers with high capacity tanks require a 16 to 18 ton gross weight chassis, or even more on a tandem axle chassis for tanks over 8,000 litres and extra long platforms. Most turntable ladders are on 13 to 16 ton chassis, which are also used for heavy and medium pumpers and water tenders. Medium pump water tenders require only ten to fourteen ton chassis, while light pumps are usually on chassis from seven to nine tons. There are of course numerous variations, based on so many different chassis and bodywork manufacturers, as well as variations in fire brigade requirements for pump capacity, tank capacity and other equipment loads.

Added by Rob Johnson on 26 December 2021.

Comment removed at request of Commentor

Comment removed at request of Commentor

Andy - is JCDD still setting out specifications for fire appliances in the UK? I ask because it seems that EU regulations seem to be quoted a lot (despite Brexit) and also because there are a lot more varied specifications in service these days compared to the JCDD set of four from the 1950s.

Added by Rob Johnson on 28 December 2021.

Comment removed at request of Commentor

I think you will find the Hong Kong Dennis Chassis for PHP where DFD, not RS as DFD135R3F/335-8, Reg Nos F431-4.

Added by M.West on 02 January 2022.

There also seem to be fewer differences between European countries' fire appliance specifications than years ago, although of course there are at the same time loads of different applications which did not exist in years gone by. I guess this is because of EU regulations tending to create more commonality, and because fire appliance builders are more free to offer their products for sale in every EU country, rather than being restricted to their home market. Both Rosenbauer and Magirus - for example - have not only exported extensively beyond Austria and Germany, but have acquired competing firms and/or set up their own factories in other countries.

Added by Rob Johnson on 02 January 2022.

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