Fire Engines Photos

Hello Mark,
Can you tell us what its chassis number is please.


Added by Wayne Davies on 29 June 2008.

Wayne this is chassis # 7450, a New South Wales Fire Brigades one fleet, # 204
I think this one never served with the NTFB.

Cheers,
Frank

Added by Fire995 on 29 June 2008.

This may well be one of the first motorized appliances purchased from the New South Wales Fire Brigades, the first being shipped to Darwin in 1941.A second
appliance left Sydney by ship early in February 1942 arriving just after the first Japanese air raids on Darwin on the 19th Feb, 1942.The only Australian
city to come under enemy fire during the second world war.For more information
just type in-Northern Territory Fire Service.

Added by Pete Matten on 29 June 2008.

Pete, this is a 250/400 1931 model, I thought the ones they loan/sold(?) to the NTFB were 1934 Ace models?

Frank

Added by Fire995 on 29 June 2008.

Frank, I didn't say this was the first motorized appliance from N.S.W.to be
sent to the Northern Territory, nor the second.I simply stated, it could have
been one of the first motorized appliances sent to the Northern Territory,
coming from the New South Wales Fire Brigades.

Added by Pete Matten on 30 June 2008.

Info just received:This Dennis Light 4 was never a N.T.F.S.appliance, it was
brought up from New South Wales by its present owner Mark Brustolin.
The chassis No:7450.Engine No:4771018.Gear Box:7698002.Axle No:21062.
It was a New South Wales Fire Brigade appliance.Reg No:FE 4444.
Information and photos kindly provided for me by Lou Cowan(30/6/08).

Added by Pete Matten on 30 June 2008.

Hi Pete,

OK, thanks for that info, but the Reg No was in it's present use as in the old days NSWFB didn't had numberplates only the letters NSWFB, later they got plates started with FBY and 3 numerals

Added by Fire995 on 01 July 2008.

This old Dennis, originating from the N.S.W.F.B.before the restoration
is beleaved to have had the wording Werribee on the side of appliance.
It would be very nice if Mark can add a little more information to this
lovely restored Dennis if the information is available?, and why its got
NTFS(Northern Territory Fire Service)on it?.

Added by Pete Matten on 20 July 2008.

The letters on the side are NTFB the reason for this is because the fire brigade is going to use her locally for things like fire safety week and going to school and special events it is also to build up some local bonding like owner ship for the people I have E-mail more info to you hope that answers your question

Added by Mark on 23 July 2008.

Lovely little engine.

Got a couple of questions:

The blue bonnet [hood] on the Australian Dennis' is a really distinctive touch.
How did that idea start; was it carried on with other makes ?

On this Engine, there is a Filler Cap on the Firewall [Scuttle?],
Bulkhead, in front of the Officer's Seat [Near-side?] - is that
for the Gas[Petrol] Tank - and is the tank incorporated into
this Bulkhead ?

Best Regards,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 23 July 2008.

Pat,

The blue bonnets is a favourite question! When they were new all the Dennis bonnets were chemically 'blued' like the finish on shotguns. The idea was that without any paint they would radiate the engine heat better.

However the chemical blue/black finish is not to resistant to corrosion from the adverse weather so most ended up being painted. To represent the chemical blue finsish many owners like Mark have used a polychromatic blue paint. There are a handful of early Dennis's still surviving with the chemical blue/black finish. The most well seen Dennis of this type is 'Jezebel' the London University 'N' Type.

The finish is hard to reproduce today as you need a boiling caustic cyandide bath!

The petrol tank is a separate item bolted to the scuttle. You peer into it to see how much petrol is left. In the old days when most men seemd to have a Woodbine (an old English cheap cigarette) clamped between their lips it was probably quite a dangerous task.

Best wishes,

Barry.

Added by Barry on 23 July 2008.

Thanks for adding your comments to your Dennis Mark, and thankyou
for contacting me personally on the appliances history by E.Mail.

Added by Pete Matten on 23 July 2008.

Mark

Great to see you and the boys make the long trip 8,000klm return (Darwin to Penrith, Sydney) to display this vehicle at our show held at the Museum of Fire. Even though it was on a flat top its still a great effort. A Great time and many drinks were had by all. We know you appreciate our help with the restoration but next time just send flowers.

Added by Mark White on 09 April 2010.

If the number 204 is in the woodwork under the cusion of the front seat it was stationed at Blackheath, Blue Mountains, NSW. It was replaced by a Morris Composit unit around 1958.

Added by Malcolm Kerry. on 19 June 2013.

Mark, I was just talking with Malcolm in Blackheath & was glad to hear the old Dennis is around. My Dad along with Malcolm's were members of Blackheath Brigade in the 30's when it dad solid tyres. I will send a photo of the team & the Dennis in the background. Ron Simon

Added by on 20 April 2014.

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