Fire Engines Photos

As mensioned, this 1940 Fordson 7V Heavy Pump Unit(HPU)was issued new to the
Auxilliary Fire Service(AFS), then in 1941 to the National Fire Service(NFS).
After the war, from 1948 to the mid 1950's it served with the North Eastern
Fire Brigade before being purchased by a local paper mill.When the paper mill
finally closed, the appliance was left in the open until in 1988, when it was purchased and fully restored and put into permanant presevation.


Added by Pete Matten on 04 June 2008.

The road engine is a 50 BHP 3 litre 4 cylinder petrol engine as used in the Ford model A truck (rather than the standard V8). This makes it an interesting drive in modern traffic but she is (eventually) capable of 40 mph on the flat. Brakes are by rod & cable (not hydraulic) but good enought to match her road performance. On the plus side the mechanical brakes are happy to be left for long periods without seizing. Hill climbing is slow but she managed Beattock and Shap without complaint. The fire pump has it's own engine and is completely self contained.
The paper mill was The Culter Mills Paper Company Limited of Peterculter near Aberdeen. The mill closed in 1982. At that time the Fordson had done 1600 miles. The mill also had a Merryweather Greenwich Gem horse drawn steam fire engine, a Commer van (towing a Coventry Climax trailer pump) and another appliance. The steamer is now restored and living in a Canadian office. Commer and trailer pump are still living locally (Dundee & Aberdeen).

Added by Peter McCombie on 05 June 2008.

FYY160 for searching

Added by Petros on 02 April 2023.

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