Fire Engines Photos

Are any of the ex London ERF's still on the rally scene? There used to be a few regulars in the South and it was common to see more than one at a show. I hope there are and it's just that I don't get out to as many shows as I would like. Always thought these were interesting in that the cab design being quite modern contrasted in that clear divide with the "older" locker style. But somehow it works and they look very purposeful. I was talking to someone who recalls driving them in service and remembered that the driving position was quite high for them and that the top of the windscreen would obscure the view.

Added by John D on 11 September 2008.

In Cambridge we had a Hydraulic Platform based on an ERF chassis. I think one of our drivers ('Lofty' Williams) was stopped from driving it at one stage as the top of the screen was below his line of sight. Mind you, he described himself as 5 foot 19 inches tall! As a Sub O I did drive a London ERF back from a shout when it was on the run as a spare at Paddington. And I had trouble and am only 5foot 9 inches......

Added by Steve Attwood on 01 November 2008.

Steve: The PHP that you had at Cambridge (SVE 668K) went to Southern Ireland in 1983, and became 902 BI with County Monaghan.

Added by Ian Moore on 01 November 2008.

John D. VAN 525M (P525C) will be viewable soon, once I've fitted a new windscreen. Identical to the ones shown above, except lacking the locker behind the hosereel bay. By the way, OUV 322R is shown running with two bells. Looks great, though in reality London ERFs only had the manual one above the OiC. LFB removed all bells from ERFs (and other types) midlife. The official reason has never been fully explained.

Added by Tim Wingham on 28 January 2009.

Tim, you must forward some pictures to the site, work in progress are always particularly interesting to compare as and when it is completed. It's great news to hear of a survivor and intriguing that it is a bit unusual/rare.

Added by John D on 28 January 2009.

OUV 322R has just appeared on e-bay. So good to know it still exists. If only I had some storage...

Added by John D on 15 July 2009.

I used to drive 322r for a little while.A freind of mine owned it.1 specific thing that was different with 322r is that the auto box had an extra gear.cant remember the exact specs.The last I heard it was still local will try to have a word and see where she is.Man had a brilliant time on the M25 takeing it to the shutteworth collection.

Added by James Green on 17 August 2011.

Looks very similar to one we have ; unfortunately the water has got in and done it's damage to the wooden framework at the back, and it looks like a total restore is needed....

Added by Dave on 28 May 2013.

322R had a lot of rot on the back end so much so that its last owner deemed it to expensive to repair.The rot was that bad you didn't even dare to put a foot on the side steps you had to climb up through the escape ladder to get on the back of the appliance.

Added by James Green on 29 May 2013.

OUV322R IS SAT IN A WORKSHOP IN SCUNTHORPE. SHE NEEDS A GOOD CLEAN AND SHE HAS ALL THE KIT STILL WITH HER INCLUDING HELMETS.

Added by RICK BALLARD on 06 November 2015.

I used to drive van522m for many years, based a A27 Chelsea. One of my favourites

Added by Chris on 22 June 2016.

I remember seeing the first ERF dual purpose at the Earl's Court Commercial Motor Show in 1967. It was supplied to Newcastle and Gateshead Brigade and was in their gorgeous maroon livery with red roof and mudguards.

Among its many innovations were its "super single" rear tires. For some reason, London's Dennis F101 pump escapes also had single rear wheels, which were actually the same as the fronts. But this ERF had very fat single rear tires - which were designed to replace the usual twins.

The brigade soon had it modified with standard rear twins, because it was extremely skittish on corners, especially if it was wet - which was quite often up North! They went on to buy more ERFs, including a PHP at the time that these were "the thing" for every brigade to have. An idea which never really panned out!

I think London stayed with their locker layout for so many years so that every fireman at any station would know where everything was, even if they were using a spare appliance, or needed to get an item from a "foreign" unit on a fire ground.

Added by Rob Johnson on 01 May 2018.

I remember as a kid at my dad's station, Paddington, one of ERF losing the screen as was not glued in!

Added by Mark dean on 29 July 2020.

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