Fire Engines Photos

Paul, again outstanding and brilliant looking appliance.A little before
my time, but I love to see these old 1950's/60's pumps, and pump escapes.
.

Added by Pete Matten on 29 January 2008.

TheFireman, sorry. The 'World's Best Fire Engine' this month goes to Paul with his outstanding photo of the silver Dennis Wheeled Escape. What I really like about this snap is the clean roof line uncluttered with beacons and the like, , ,
When this dashing appliance came throttling down the lane the reflection from the paintwork alone would be enough to announce it's passage, well done!

Added by Pavel - Perth Western Australia on 30 January 2008.

The year will be around 1984/5, as I remember seeing this at this rally on more than one occasion.
By the way the correct spelling of the area is 'Teesside' with two letter S's.
I think this Silver livery was a feature of this Brigade.

Added by Chris Hall, Teesside. on 30 January 2008.

This appliance used to be stationed at King Street Fire Station in Aberdeen, Scotland. Unfortunately this station is now closed (replaced by Aberdeen Central Fire Station).This is a spectacular appliance. Apparently the reason North Eastern Fire Brigade (now Grampian Fire and Rescue Service) had silver appliances was that they would get scratched a lot when attending calls in rural parts of thr region and it cost to much to constantly respray them so the Brigade decided to keep them bare metal.

Added by Barry Reid on 31 January 2008.

Ya killin' me Pavel! It ain't even painted RED. Looks like they just shot it with grey primer and sent it out. In the oft quoted words of Ret. Phoenix, Arizona Fire Chief Alan Brunicinni, "I have spoken to God, and she says Fire Trucks will be red."
OK, I will concede the lines are clean and smooth. BTW, who was this Dennis chap?

Added by TheFireman on 07 February 2008.

John and Raymond Dennis were brought up in Huntsham in Devon. John then moved to Guildford where, whilst working for an ironmonger Filmer & Masons, he started making bicycles in his spare time. These sold at a profit and in 1895 he set up his own business, the Universal Athletic Stores in Guildford High Street, selling bicycles and other sports goods. Here he was joined by his brother Raymond and the enterprise expanded. Bicycle manufacturing continued and other products were made were tricycles and quadricycles. The first motorised vehicle built in 1898, was a tricycle fitted with a single cylinder De Dion engine. This was followed by other motorised vehicles with the first proper car being built in 1901. At about this time, the business became a private limited company, Dennis Brothers Limited. Technical development was a key aspect of the enterprise and an early innovation was the worm drive rear axle which was used from 1903.
The rest of the Dennis story can be seen at www.dennisbusowners.co.uk/history.html

Added by on 07 February 2008.

'Eurotrash'....'Grey Primer'.....'Who is this Dennis chap?' .....well I suppose how could we expect our American brothers to know any better?

If I'm honest though, all of Marcel's Mercedes/DAF/Volvos do look BORING and TSA 980 shown above does need a good polish to shine up the stucco aluminium finish.

'This dennis chap' though is a different matter. The Dennis brothers (chapS in future Fireman) had Royal Appointment to build fire engines so a direct line of command existed from the heavens above Guildford.

Added by Barry on 07 February 2008.

In response to Pavel's comments about the roof being uncluttered there is actually a blue light on the far side of the bell. I'll dig out a photo and post it up.

Added by Andy on 27 February 2008.

A grteat-looking rig.

BTW, for both sides on the Atlantic Ocean:

.....I saw a query to an "answers.com" type of web-site; asking why so many British fire-engines had this guy's name "Dennis" on their fronts. The answerer explained the Manufacturer; and then said [hang on to your Blood-Pressure] that "Dennis" was being replaced rapidly by "Scania".....

I'm outta here.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 06 October 2008.

So glad you have a pic of this Pump. My dad learned to drive fire engine's in this Fire Engine in Aberdeen. Will share this with him. :)

Added by Bruce Mckenzie on 19 September 2011.

Grampian had silver in the 60's then red after that, daygloo and now white. I remember in the 70's Stonehaven (Rtd) had a silver Ford D'series Wtl and a Silver Commer Wt.

Added by Grant Melville on 19 September 2011.

This Pump Escape started it's life in Aberdeen but spent most of it's life at the retained station in Huntly. Currently owned by Dennis Scott a Retired Fireman from Grampian. Dennis kindly drove my Dad and I to my Dad's 2nd wedding in this machine...

Added by Andy on 20 September 2011.

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