Fire Engines Photos

This photo shows a 1977 Bedford TK/HCB-Angus which was located at Somers Road in Southsea, Portsmouth in Hampshire.

Added by Pete Matten on 27 August 2009.

Wow, all burnished-aluminum [aluminium] finish - the only red paint would have been .. ?the front of the truck, the wheel-rims and ladder-racks ?

Great shot, Jacques; even unto the details of the sideways-folding Bay doors. Never seen in Canada, as ice and snow would jam them up.

Keep them coming - with Pete's identifications - really enjoyable.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 27 August 2009.

Looking at the bay doors I'd say this was Copnor not Southsea. Copnor closed recently to be replaced by a community contact centre.

Added by Adamant19uk on 27 August 2009.

Speaking of the all-natural-aluminum-finish fire-engine bodies - was the idea for an easily-maintained cosmetic look ?

And, what did the Station Crews wind up doing, to maintain their looks - burnishing, polishing, or, just simple washing down ?

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 29 August 2009.

Pat, our Bedfords in the RAF were red apart from the roller doors and looked smarter for it. Some civilian ones I worked with were like this and were a pain to keep clean,we ended up using gallons of Brasso on the ruddy things, but they are still Bedfords and I loved them all!

Added by John Stott on 29 August 2009.

I have just found the sign which was on this station it says " Hampshire Fire Brigade B Division HQ"

Added by Jacques Peter on 03 February 2010.

A proper fire engine indeed. TBH I thought it was Western Docks on Herbert Walker Avenue n Southampton at first. Wonderful photo Jacques.

Added by Andrew Middleton on 04 May 2012.

I remember one of these being my 'first love'. It was Uttoxeter's water tender. An all-aluminium body, a shiny bell, folding crew-cab doors all bus-like and cool, wooden ladders, those wicker basket filters that I was told were to prevent frogs and trout from being sucked into the pump and hurled onto a blaze when plugged into a river! And that unforgettable smell of leather, rubber and engine oil. How does a smell instantly take you back to a point in time that you've not visited in decades...?

I close my eyes and I'm back there now: an eight-year-old boy sitting in the back fiddling with the BA - even though I'd promised not to!

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 05 May 2012.

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