Fire Engines Photos

A standard NFS specification with a front mounted Barton-American pump rated at 350 IGPM, a 130 IG water tank and two first aid hose reels. Frequently in service with city and county fire brigades after 1948, on both Fordson and Austin chassis. Possibly Bedford too? Unlike the pumpers, these had a full side access crew cab, as the rear entrance canopy used on the pumps would not work with the escape ladder in place. In the quest to economize on bodywork, they still were built without any doors!

Some were still in front line service into the early 1960s, and I saw examples in Yorkshire, Glasgow, Buckinghamshire and Durham County.

Added by Rob Johnson on 26 January 2023.

I am told this appliance was stationed at Uckfield, East Sussex and in 1965 was registered to Meal Service Ltd, Red Ball House, Victoria Road, Portslade which is what I suspected from digitised press cuttings.

For Uckfield see

https://nfs-afs.org.uk/2013/10/11/fordson-7v-ggn802-post-war-history-discovered/

Added by Petros on 27 January 2023.

This is an ex wartime NFS vehicle, absorbed in to East Sussex Fire Brigade in 1948, painted in red livery it did indeed serve at Uckfield, I know little about its passing on to the Red Bull House Fire Dept, which I can only guess was private ownership after being sold out of service. It's still in preservation and back in its grey NFS livery. It's log book shows various owners including Mike Hebard in the 1980's.

Added by on 29 January 2023.

Should also add this is an escape carrying unit, not a heavy unit.

Added by on 29 January 2023.

in later life




Added by Petros on 02 April 2023.

My Dad, Alan Patmore owned this fire engine for many years. I remember it very well as a child and have been driven in it many times.

Ed: was he anything to do with Red Ball House?

Added by Steven Patmore on 07 November 2025.

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