Fire Engines Photos

This machine was originally Petrol engined. In around 1978 she was converted to Diesel while I was serving at Cambridge Station......

Steve Attwood

Added by Steve Attwood on 30 October 2008.

Ah - the faithful old Tanker of rural fire coverage. Built to haul water, that 4 x 4 for the rough country-side terrain..

At a guess, on the single rear axle, about 1200 - 1500 Imperial Gallon (5450 - 6800 litres) Water Tank - perhaps an onboard Pump at rear - but Portable Pump(s) and hoses carried for sure.

Thanks for a shot of the "less-glamorous" end of fire-fighting.

Regards, from Canada, Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 31 October 2008.

Paul,
Your mention of Gladwin has me a bit intrigued, as it shows up as body number 5250 on the HCB-Angus database.

Added by Ian Moore on 31 October 2008.

Call Sign Cambridge 7 if I remember correctly. Pat, Don't remember about portable pumps on board. Definitely had a fixed centrifugal pump at rear with a centrifugal primer not reciprocating type. Was also used for giving new HGV drivers experience. She even got a parking ticket in Cambridge City when out on a familiarisation drive and the guys stopped off to get supplies for the Mess!!!!

Added by Steve Attwood on 01 November 2008.

This ended its days with CF&RS AT A17 YAXLEY Retained station, then donated to KWE-KWE FB IN KENYA.

Added by Peter Ashpool on 26 June 2009.

Does anyone know what the pipework was used for on the front of this appliance? Could it spray water when on the move ?

Added by Paul Staniland on 27 June 2009.

I seem to remember when the M11/ A406 (A45 now I think) roads were completed around Cambridge, the machine was used (under contract) by the Contractors with a crew from Red Watch (Brian Williams and Dave Milton)to wash debris off the tarmac before it was opened to the public. One of the crew commented they drove along the road with branches fitted to the front standpipes on a spray setting. Probably those 'orrible great 25mm Hughes Noble branches..............
Steve

Added by Steve Attwood on 27 June 2009.

The Old Cambs & Isle of Ely FB (PRE CFRS)had these fitted on all their 4X4 Wrt's, their Area is the fens with country roads with small rivers/streams along each side, it allows crews to fight fires forward of the appliance saving distance running out hoses around vehicle and easier than trying not to faall into the rivers streams, also when off road or accross fields again less hose to run out /recover.

Added by Pete Ashpool on 27 December 2009.

This replaced a Bedford RL 4X4 with a 1000 IG tank, which was in service at the new Cambridge Fire Station in 1964 when I was there. The RL had a transverse 300GPM portable pump permanently piped-in at the rear, which gave it a pump-and-roll capability. I never really understood why these were based in the city, because their role was distinctly rural. As far as I know, no other city or large town ran a large tanker in those days, but relied on standard 400 gallon water tenders.

Cambridgeshire had several 4X4 RLs, including a "one-off" ET was well as water tenders.

Added by Rob Johnson on 14 August 2014.

Ian - Search on WJE on this site and you will see a series of pictures of this chassis from me. My theory is HCBA did the original body and then it was re-bodied by Gladwins who are local to Cambridge (and have done other tankers) between '75 and '85. That seems to fit.

Added by Petros on 25 July 2017.

see below, the tank has changed colour which implies some re-bodying has gone on here, HCBA to Gladwin?





Added by Petros on 02 May 2025.

But then there is also this with the same registration number but a totally different body by Gladwins. Was it rebuilt twice in fact or was the tank just repainted first?




Added by Petros on 07 May 2025.

Please add your comments about this picture using the form below.

Comments

Your Name

Your email address - this will be shown on the page and will allow the system to notify you of further comments added to this picture.