Fire Engines Photos

Very nice picture of a classic 1954 Dennis F8/Dennis Water Tender. Its good to see that so many of these have been saved and are still around today, 50 years past and still they keep on going.

Added by Pete Matten on 15 June 2008.

Its nice to see the old girl still being love, when she was in service at alfreton fire station she was cleaned after every turnout polished at weekend and black boot polished floor mats and tyres.
I cannot ever remember it braking down not once, It was made to last and it will be still around long after im gone im sure of that.
thank you for reviving my happy memories on board this wonderful dennis F8 pump

Added by John Liddement on 08 September 2008.

Hi John,
I have owned URB for the past 30 years, would love to hear of any in Service tales or shots did speak to Sub O Jackson, I believe when first aquired appliance.
Please contact via [email protected]

Added by Brett Clayton on 15 January 2009.

This appliance has starred on Heartbeat more times that Claude Greengrass hasn't it Brett?

Added by Barrie Green on 15 January 2009.

Hi, URB87 was put on the run in late 1954. Stationed at Somercots a village in Derbyshire the photographs show her as different to her service there. Firstly Somercotes was a retained station operating out of a Nissan hut. Her original design was with one chrome bell affixed to the wooden roof on the nearside manually operated by the O/IC using a leather strap which hung down above his head. In the oblong box above the crew cab were two amber lights which flashed alternately. The indicators where the semaphore type, common in those days. In 1962 Somercotes was closed and all personnel and the F8 was moved to a new station at Alfreton. The station was opened in late 1962 with a new Dennis F36 and the F8 has the second pump. At that time she was still as supplied. 1 manual bell amber lights and her original Ajax 35 ft Approx Wooden ladder and no radio. In July 1976 I joined the retained crew at Alfreton.

The F8 was still on the run as the second pump designated as a water tender. I was told this by the then Sub /O Ron Padley. That wasbecause the F8 only had a 200 gallon water tank - it differentiated it from a water tender which carried 500 gallons and a 45 ft. Ladder. However 1976 turned out to be the hottest summer in living memory and both appliances and their crews were tested to “destruction”. When I joined the service I was the holder of a class 1 HGV licence and was quickly passed out to be a first line driver. Driving both the F36 and the F8 on many shouts. The F8 was bombe proof never failing to give her all. Her short wheelbase and narrow track made driving very entertaining bearing in mind that she was designed for the 50s. And I was driving on the M1 in the 70s. Fitted with a Rolls Royce Engine, 70 plus was easily attained - however stopping was a different matter. Requiring advance notice, likewise with the non powered steering. Nevertheless how I wish that I could do it all again.


Added by Eddie on 14 May 2024.

I always believed the Derbyshie F8 had a 350 IG capacity, thanks to its unique full width tank. The standard one was 200, with an optional 300 IG tank if the tank was extended between the front lockers.

Added by Rob Johnson on 16 May 2024.

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