Fire Engines Photos

This is a 4X2 S series not a 4X4 R series.


Added by Neal Glover on 03 May 2020.

Neal:

Do you happen to know why these had a row of what appear to be ventilation grilles along the sides of the bodywork under the lockers?

This feature does not seem to turn up on any of the municipal or county fire brigade appliances from the 1950s, on the Bedford or any other brand chassis.

Added by Rob Johnson on 04 May 2020.

Hi Rob, guessing red hot exhaust and wooden body not ideal in a fire engine, if you see what I mean

Added by Peter McCombie on 04 May 2020.

Peter - I agree, but didn't just about every fire appliance in this era have an aluminium panelled wood frame body, except for the Alfred Miles all alloy ones?

Added by Rob Johnson on 05 May 2020.

I doubt very much it's to do with exhaust gases at all. It certainly wouldn't of been built with ventilation grilles. Bear in mind its had a repaint from green to red, I think it looks more like painted black panels - either way it's a later modification.

Added by on 05 May 2020.

Nope, all the GGs I've seen had them. Not so obvious in the green paintwork..

Added by Peter McCombie on 05 May 2020.

The grills were there from new 3 on the 4X2s and 2 on the 4X4s on the off side only. Could be to provide an air flow around he back of the lockers.

Added by Neal Glover on 05 May 2020.

I think you will find that all green goddesses, both the older S chassis and the later R 4X4, had these mesh grilles under the lockers...

There are numerous examples on this site, including many original units as well as several which - like this example - have been repainted.

The mystery remains unsolved!

Added by Rob Johnson on 05 May 2020.

There are photos on this site showing grilles on both sides of these units, but arranged slightly differently on the 4X4 versions...

Still not clear exactly why?

Added by Rob Johnson on 06 May 2020.

They were intended to be stored for long periods so have an air flow underneath would help prevent wood rot especially if put away wet,

Added by Neal Glover on 06 May 2020.

Neal:

To coin a phrase, I think you've got it!

Added by Rob Johnson on 07 May 2020.

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