Fire Engines Photos

Hi Does anybody know the whereabouts of this appliance nowadays?

Added by Rick Loudon on 06 September 2008.

The Driver is Nick Baker from Peterborough, he part owned with a guy from Raunds, it also appeared has a jigsaw puzzel, he sold it to a private collector(unknown)it has dissapeared from the face of the earth along with other appliances.(time is right he sold it about 1979.)

Added by Peter Ashpool on 27 September 2008.

Wow, this truck could back into a North American Fire-Hall, and no one would notice the difference.

It has the side-mounted ladders, search-light, red light, Booster Reel, mid-mount pump, RHD of the earlier USA trucks, etc.

Is that long ladder on right-hand side "stock", or did the Driver:

a. have to be an accomplished gymnast, especially on the vaulting-horse?

or

b. have a Standing Agreement, with The Officer, that he leaps in The Officer's side first?

Great-looking rig - hope it surfaces, in a good home.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 28 September 2008.

No Idea where this appliance is now, but the driver in the photo is Nick Baker of Peterborough who owned it in the late 70s.

Added by Bob Peters on 30 May 2009.

If you search for it on the DVLA website (as I have just done) as a vehicle enquiry regarding it's tax disc, it appears that it's road tax is due on 10/03/2010 which would encouragingly suggest that it holds a current disc and is on the road somewhere in England!

Added by John D on 01 June 2009.

John D this is interesting will start asking some questions, pity you are not able to see the owner.

Added by Pashpool on 02 June 2009.

Re Pat R-B comments, this is a "NEW WORLD"TYPE BODY The crew sat inside behind the driver facing each other, access from rear, the ladder is stock and has ordered the driver would have mounted the appliance first"to get it started the Officer would have got the location of the alarm from the telephone while the driver was attending to the starting of the appliance,midship pumps are not uncommon with pre WW2 Appliances, Nick had a Nickname for this appliance when he owned it, he still calls it when reminded "THE SHOWBOAT"

Added by Pashpool on 03 June 2009.

Pashpool, thanks for the above info; and glad to see from the Road Licence data, that this great old rig must be still kicking around somewhere.

Incidently, on this Site, it was stated that during World War 2; Fire Pumpers were shifted to Rear-Mount Pumps, from Mid-Mount Pumps, partly to save on scarce brass metal.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 06 June 2009.

Hi I have been trying to add a picture but am not able to upload onto this forum.
Anyway, I am the Grandson of Ces Walton who purchased "Showboat" from the previous owner who lived in Raunds in about 1976. It is stil in excellent condition and we use it on special occasions (weddings ect.) Or to classic car events and the odd pub crawl!

Added by Matt Walton on 28 June 2011.

Hi Matt

thats good to know that 'Showboat' is still about - if you wish to contact me or send a picture - just 'click' on my name at the end of this post - thanks for taking the time to update us !

Added by Rick Loudon on 28 June 2011.

I'm with you Rick, I'd love to see an up-to-date picture of this lovely old Dennis thats still in preservation with Matt & Co.
I hope you can sort something out.

Added by Pete Matten on 28 June 2011.

Mat Sure Nick Baker would love to know where she is and see her again.

Added by Pashpool on 28 June 2011.

FHA222 for searching, built around 1933, see mis-description here

www.search.staffspasttrack.org.uk/Details.aspx?&ResourceID=22938&SearchType=2&ThemeID=28

Added by Petros on 08 May 2021.

From Martin West's Dennis files: chassis number 7895 of 26th October 1938. Shown as a 6SM.

Ed: see 2011 photo here
www.nicomorgan.com/media/c276faf9-1c93-44c1-8f19-1f8cc3db8096-fire-engine-the-parade-of-classic-and-vintage-cars

Added by Simon Rowley on 01 January 2023.

rear view here - seems to be around

www.nicomorgan.com/-/galleries/stock-images-and-photos/vehicles/classic-cars/-/medias/aa185030-2778-4f32-8f05-8979cb34b091-fire-engine-the-parade-of-classic-and-vintage-cars

Added by Petros on 28 June 2023.

The main difference between this “New World” design and actual contemporary American pumpers was that the British interpretation placed the crew on seats in the rear of the truck. The most common US design filled the rear with a water tank and an open hose bed for pre-connected flaked hoses, so the crew had to stand on the rear step and hold on to handrails in the hope of not falling off. So the British design was much safer, but arguably meant that getting the main hoses run out took a bit longer.

Step riding remained a common practice well into the 1970s with many US fire departments, even long after crew cabs became commonplace!

Added by Rob Johnson on 28 June 2023.

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