Category: Classic Fire

537 UXT Storthes Hall Hospital Fire Brigade Ford Thames 400E Based at the psychiatric hospital in West Yorkshire that closed in 1991

LKG 390 Hoover Ltd. Fire Brigade Land Rover Series I Carrying an impressive amount of equipment on the bonnet and front bumper

LTY 352 Northumberland Fire Brigade Dennis F8 / Miles Dating from 1957. Also showing the crest and classic bell and amber flashing lights

A861 OAS Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade Bedford CF350 Based at Drumnadrochit, which lies about half way down Loch Ness

MGY 302D Murex Ltd. Works Fire Brigade Land Rover Series I

A preserved fire engine that saw service with Newport Borough Fire Brigade. The very basic vehicle now stands in a large lobby in Ryde fire station (Isle of Wight).

TFC 953 A 1953 Morris Minor fire engine. It was built entirely by Morris Motors and was used at their Oxford factory. It was operational from 1953-1983 as a front line appliance and fully retired in 1990.



The rear view. It has a 4 cylinder, 1098cc A-series engine fitted.



The overhead view showing the small dimensions and wooden ladder.

A very early fire appliance dating from 1678. This is not a replica – it is original and well over 300 years old. It was built in London by John Keeling. It originally stood on wheels and the mechanism in the centre had arms on either side (now missing) for four men to pump the water. One further man stood on top and used the hose. The barrel had to be constantly re-filled with buckets of water by further assistants.



A model of the fire appliance showing how it would have looked from new with all of the pieces in place. After the Great Fire of London in 1666, more of this type of fire appliance were ordered and by 1700 their use had become commonplace.

J4392 This St. Helier Fire Brigade Albion Merryweather fire engine dates from 1934. When new this machine would have cost £1500.



The rear view of the wheeled-escape fire engine, including trailer pump. While two crew sat at the front, the rest of the men would sit down each side and hold on tight!

This is a horse-drawn fire appliance built by Hadley Simpkin. It provided fire cover for the small Lincolnshire village of Redbourne.



A look at the side of this very old vehicle.



The old fire station in Redbourne that dates from 1733. The preserved appliance still lives here.

PFT 117L This is a ERF / HCB – Angus fire tender. It previously saw service with Tynemouth and Tyne and Wear fire brigades.

DGD 213X This is a Bedford Water Tender Ladder Midi. It is known as a Bedford Fire Witch.

XLM 845X This appliance is a Ford A Series that previously worked as a private appliance for Glaxo before being moving into preservation. It dates from 1982.

UWV 560 This is a preserved Commer Mark IV with Miles coachwork and was with Wiltshire Fire Brigade. Restoration began in 2005 when the vehicle was in a very poor condition with the engine not working. Notice the folding door to access the rear portion of the cab and the wooden ladders. Emergency warning equipment comes from a blue beacon, bell and horns mounted on the roof and a half blue static light on the nearside bumper.

E842 JYV is an ex-London Saxon fire appliance that is in preservation.

VUG 307R This small fire appliance is a 1976 Dodge decked out in red and white. The badge on the door says “Commerland Fire Service”, which is operated by Yorkshire Classic Campers.

HSU 109A This 1963 Land Rover Redwing is fitted with a Winkworth emergency warning bell and single blue flashing light. The writing on the side simply says “Fire Brigade”. It spent 27 years with South of Scotland Electricity Board before moving into preservation.

URO 552 This is a ex-Hertfordshire 1955 Bedford B series water tender. From the front it looks like it could still be operational.



The side view of the same ex-front line appliance. Clearly its role has changed as the water tank and equipment lockers have been replaced to make a mobile a coffee shop called Coffee Engine!

NOL 196X This ex-Birmingham Airport Fire Service Boughton with Carmichael bodywork is currently in preservation.

SXF 159 This is an Austin A40 which carries AFS crests and a sign saying “Property of the Scottish Home Office”. It was in active use from 1956 to 1968 as a staff car amongst other duties.



The rear view of the AFS car

XYM 677 This is a 1960 Matchless G3LS motorbike which was with the AFS. It has a 350cc engine and was stored in a Scottish aircraft hanger with eight other examples when the AFS disbanded in 1968. 11 years later it was sold to a private owner.



The rear view of the Matchless, showing the canvas panniers and solitary rear light (arm signals were used for turning).

PGW 590 This Bedford Self propelled pump now leads an easier life advertising Christmas trees!

30 AG 88 This vintage Dennis is an example of an RAF fire service vehicle.

AY 552 is a GMC Fire six-wheeled fire appliance that is now preserved at Doncaster Aircraft Museum.

SAL 999F is an ERF fire appliance and 12 ET 99 is a former AFS Bedford self propelled pump, both owned and preserved by the Heritage Fire Service.

TRM 780X is a Dodge/Carmichael appliance from 1981.

C361 LOX is a Bedford TK1260 with Mountain bodywork dating from 1985. The appliance is owned by the Heritage Fire Service but carries no livery.

B376 VWL is a Renault/Dodge appliance with Saxon bodywork also owned by the Heritage Fire Service.

NYV 12 is a Bedford RLHZ self propelled Pump, or Green Goddess, in it’s original Auxiliary Fire Service livery.