OK Rob many thanks for your usual notes. This truck must have been stationed in a small village to be used as rural area calls as well. I think came from the South Western part of France
Added by Jacques PETER on 16 June 2022.
I have seen a few examples of brush trucks in France with ladders and demountable hose carts, which can be raised up to facilitate off road operations. These too are meant to be used for both structure fires and brush incidents, and are obviously less expensive than having two separate units. The main drawback would seem to be a lack of storage for BA and other equipment particularly for interior operations at a structure fire. It still seems to be very common for many small, town fire stations to have both types, FPT or FPTR and CCF.
Rob : one technical question in English = Bush or Brush Trucks? Many thanks JP
Added by Jacques PETER on 18 June 2022.
Brush = broussailles. The term was developed in the USA for a 4x4 or 6x6 pump tanker for all types of off road vegetation fires.Because these don’t really exist in England, the American expression has been adopted in other places like Australia, where they are very common.
Hello, following the data sheet from the owner of this truck it's a: Reo M44 from 1952; fire engine equipment by a local firm: Gouigou in the 70#s for the department 46 Lot, served in the village "Saint Céré" until 2004; now in a private collection in Alsace
Added by H.Breuer on 30 June 2022.
Thanks! The US army operated the same specification 6X6 military trucks built by various manufacturers under contract, including both Reo and AM General. As these had identical cabs and front bodywork - and no badges - it was impossible to tell them apart! This generation had a 127 BHP six cylinder petrol engine, five speed transmission and a two speed splitter, while later versions had a 134 BHP seven liter multi fuel engine. This could operate on petrol, diesel, paraffin or even heating oil - or a combination of mixed fuels if necessary. Maximum speed was quoted as 98 kph, just over 60 mph.
By the way, this is an AM General M813 five ton 6X6, not a Mack.
Added by Rob Johnson on 15 June 2022.