Fire Engines Photos

Now that's what I call a fire engine! Well done Andrew.

Added by Pavel Zaremba on 08 January 2007.

Nice Looking Çommer.Which brigade did this serve because you can't make it out on the writting on the side?

Added by on 13 January 2007.

I don't know where it was based but the registration says North Wales.
All the best Andrew.

Added by Andrew Wright on 13 January 2007.

This engine was supplied to Caernarfonshire Fire Brigade originally based in Bangor Fire Station; transfered to Caernarfon. It ended its operational life at Dolgarog Aluminium works in the Conwy valley. Purchased by an enthusiast from Llandudno sold on to Porthmadog Fire Station vintage group, where some restoration work was carried out. Sold to its present owner who has finished the restoration programme. This vehicle was built by plaxtons coach builders and is a very rare model.

Added by K W Jones MBE Retired Station Officer on 09 February 2007.

Has anybody have information on a Land Rover Series 2 red wing fire appliance reg. no. KSU 946?

Added by K W Jones MBE Retired Station Officer on 09 February 2007.

Interesting Mr Jones, never heard of Plaxtons building anything more than bus/coach bodies, thank you.

Added by Andrew Wright on 09 February 2007.

This is definetly Plaxtons bodied, one of two appliances built at that date, thus making it a very rare fire appliance. The second vehicle belongs to a museum somewhere in Yorkshire, contact Plaxtons if you require more information.

Added by K W Jones MBE Retired Station Officer on 10 February 2007.

I believe Plaxtons built Green Goddesses as part of the CD programme also.

Added by Mick on 18 July 2009.

To Andrew Wright, Plaxtons are a major Coach, (and now bus) builder, and they did indeed build Green Goddess fire Engines. I have seen an official Plaxtons photo of an unregistered example. A good book on Plaxtons should provide the evidence.
I understand that Park Royal, another bus builder,built the bodywork on seversl of the AEC Marquis models.

Added by Chris Hall Teesside. UK. on 20 July 2009.

Yes I know about Plaxton they took over Duple in the 80's if I'm correct in saying. Thank you for mentioning a book on Plaxton, at some time it might be an interesting addition to my transport books.
All the best, Andrew.


Added by Andrew Wright on 22 July 2009.

I'm on the trail as well Ken. Yes the only other one built by Plaxton's went to West Riding of Yorkshire Fire Brigade but that's all I know. had a photograph from Holland Roberts of KSU 927 on Maderia. Have you still got that photo of CDM 117? Andy

Added by Andy Middleton on 23 November 2009.

Andy - One of these Plaxton Commers was stationed at Whitby in Yorkshire when I was on holiday there in 1958. But Whitby is in the old North Riding, not the West Riding. Its stablemates were a Land Rover 110 towing vehicle with a Dennis No 2 trailer pump (probably ex-NFS) and a Ford V8 wartime specification PE with a front mounted Barton American 350 GPM pump. At that time, Whitby was a retained station with a full time station officer.

When I got home, I wrote to Plaxtons in Scarborough and asked for photos of their fire engines, which yielded pictures of the same Whitby water tender and of several Bedford AFS pumps.

I later realised that the fibreglass front cowl was exactly the same as Plaxtons used on their motor coaches on Commer chassis - which probably explained the absence of front cab doors.

Added by Rob Johnson on 03 May 2016.

when I first left school I went to plaxtons to work 1956, the green goddesseswere still being produced as well as mobile canteens for american R A F , I worked 44 years at plaxtons, through good times and bad.

Added by Colin Reedie on 12 January 2017.

This machine is currently for sale at £15,000 in the Classic and Vintage Commercials magazine,and there is an ex Kent Commer/HCB with it for £10,000.

Added by Howard Godsland on 10 April 2023.

Well worth preservation as only three were ever manufactured.

Added by Rob Johnson on 10 April 2023.

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