Fire Engines Photos

Thankyou Pete, as usual a first class narrative on a very rare breed!

Added by John Stott on 11 August 2009.

Thanks John,in actual fact there were only 25 TSM'S(stands for Telescoping Simonitor)ever built for the UK.Ten were known as Simonitors,one was known as a Snozzle which saw service with Buckinghamshire,and the last 14 were known as Scoosher's which of course were operated by the Glasgow Fire Service,Scotland.
I wonder if any of our Scottish friends have any pictures to share with us of the Scoosher's that once proudly fought the red-devil around the streets of Glasgow all those years ago?.

Added by Pete Matten on 11 August 2009.

west midlands fire service have one of these on a MAN. It replaced a MAN HP at A6 ward end it was put there as on there station's patch is alot of chemical factories so I was told. There is a picture off it on fire engine pics web site by Dave shakspear.

Added by Tg on 12 August 2009.

Tg,yes thats correct.The appliance in question is known as a "Water/Foam Tower".Its a 2006 MAN LE18.280F/POLYBILT/JDC/DAP appliance and could be said to be simular to the appliance pictured here.
I'm really most surprised no one has sent a photo into the site of the West Midlands appliance in use from Ward End with full details and info,its well worth seeing.Come on you Brummies,get that camera working and send us a picture please.

Added by Pete Matten on 13 August 2009.

thanks pete I am a brummie but live in warwick now and we've got trouble here with them on about closing station's. The pic was taken by
Chris Scrivens(think thats how his surnames spelt sorry if its wrong)he uses this site so if ur readind this chris and have the pic please post it.

Added by Tg on 13 August 2009.

Merseyside also had one at canning place in the city center.As for the Ex flintshire one it was with Merseyside fire museum at crosby Fire station till it closed a couple of weeks ago.

Added by Dave Price on 20 August 2009.

Know some stories about the Flint Simonitor. For instance, the former OiC who will remain anonymous told me that whilst road works on Castle Street in Flint were on going the Simonitor took the temporary lights with it on a shout to Flint Mountain. The cables connected to the lights were above road level and the boom caught the cable and the lights were dragged up Flint Mountain towards Mold either side of the appliance. Another incident at Northop Hall lights where the old A55 meets the A5119, the Simonitor was going like the clappers to a person's reported in Mold and the road had a hellish convex camber and the appliance took off and landed front wheels first 40ft up the road. Dont make them like that anymore.

Added by Andy Middleton on 14 November 2009.

Andy, that made me giggle! Only a Dennis could cope with that.

Added by John Stott on 15 November 2009.

Dave Price, I hope I have misunderstood but would be grateful if you could confirm whether you were saying that the Merseyside fire museum has now closed? If so that is tragic (lets hope not)

Added by John D on 15 November 2009.

You're welcome John. The same station attended a house fire in Flint where the only casualty was the owners Jack Russell Terrier. Being after midnight, the OiC at the time decided to bury the canine for the family and when day broke the next morning, the crew paid them a call to see if everything was ok and the dogs upper legs were sticking out of the soil and the paws were facing south. Couldn't make it up.

Added by Andy Middleton on 15 November 2009.

I understand that Merseyside Museum has defiantly closed, the buildings part of the Crosby fire station are to be demolished.

Added by Barrie Green on 16 November 2009.

John D sorry but its true Merseyside Fire Museum at Crosby fire station has shut.The reason being the brigade want to open a place at BHQ Bridle Road and wanted all the Museum appliances to be moved to there even though some belong to pivate individuals. They also put allsorts of stipulatins on the staff, these were refused so they then said the electrics in the Museum needed attention and cut the power off. This resulted in the people behind the Museum pulling out and removing some of the appliances, As yet not sure were to.As soon as i find out what is happening i will post on hear.

Added by Dave Price on 17 November 2009.

Thanks Dave, fingers crossed for some good news soon.

Added by John D on 17 November 2009.

Andy have you heard the one of Flints Simonitor being used from above at a chimney fire in Bagillt. Rows of terraces+wrong chimney+Simonitor =Very irate next door neighbour.I wont mention who told me either,just to say we called him Sooty.

Added by Gary Simpson on 18 November 2009.

Gary, you lot could write a book about misuse of this machine, pity the poor beggars who had to use a stirrup pump and canvas buckets!

Added by John Stott on 18 November 2009.

Many thanks Gary, yes PB told me that many years ago. Yes, John we could write a book but who would hang? The only other two to come to mind. One was at Talacre Abbey. This poor nun who had passed away was lying in state in the chapel when one of the candles at the four corners of the marble plinth sent fire to a curtain being blown by the wind. Prestatyn and Flint crews attended one of the chaps searching the premisis came accross the nun and thought she was unconcious and competently started to administer the kiss of life untill the Mother Superior informed him differently. The other was at Fenn's Moss. Good old Fenn's Moss back in '82 when Barry Mortley CFO, RIP was scanning the area from the booms of the Simonitor when a rookie fireman didn't see him on the booms started wheelspinning the appliance in the field and he subsequently came down quicker than he wanted. The same Barry Mortley fell into the Moss when another firemen shouted BOO! over the radio when after 10 minutes of silence he wasn't expecting the message. Ah, good old day's when you could have a laugh. Flint's Simonitor will be uploaded as soon as I find the Clwyd album. What a machine.

Added by Andy Middleton on 18 November 2009.

I believe I used to own this vehicle. I used to do shows with it.

Added by Dave bunn on 03 November 2017.

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