Fire Engines Photos

Well come on guys,someone must know what this is or have I got to make the first guess?.I'm sure one of our German friends knows more then I do but,I think its an Opel Blitz/Metz(100ft)30mtr Turntable Ladder.Its a Metz ladder,but can anyone please confirm it to be an Opel Blitz?.
I will not be beat on this one but a little more research is needed,and a little bit of help.Also, I wondered why anyone would want to import such an appliance into the UK if there not going to put it into preservation??????.Where is it know?.

Added by Pete Matten on 12 September 2009.

When I scanned the photo for Chris I noticed what looks like the outline of a mercedes badge on the grill?

Added by Graham on 13 September 2009.

Graham,I've just come across a picture showing nearly this exact model,apart from the slightly different locker arrangement.I'm now sure its a Mercedes-Benz/Metz Type DL30(Drehleiter 30-metre)turntable ladder on a Model L315 chassis of the early fifties.

Added by Pete Matten on 13 September 2009.

Thank you Pete and Graham for your contributions. I too am a little puzzled about how it came to be in England. Perhaps someone intended to preserve it but it didn't work out.
Do we think it would have been originally used in Germany?

Added by Chris Wood on 13 September 2009.

Graham, I do confirm its a Mercedes Benz, late 50' or early 60', as Pete said DL30(Drehleiter 30-metre)i would say Metz, with the traditional light pole on the right side of the cabin.
Tokyo had a similar TL but a 37m: picture number #18043 with open cabin. I noticed that the rear control tools tower looks more advanced on the picture above than the 1955 TTL from Tokyo's.

Added by Jacques PETER on 14 September 2009.

I think it served in Germany, with the typical black bumper and front wheel wings.

Added by Jacques PETER on 14 September 2009.

Yes it's a Mercedes-Benz and it's look to me a L5000 chassis. I checked similar models in the "Feuerwehr Klassiker" Metz DL book (Fire Service classics, Metz TTL's)But it can be a 22 metres model and it's around 1952 (see my other comments on it of the other photos)

Added by Fire995 on 19 September 2009.

Thank you Jacques PETER and Fire995 for your suggestions about the identity of this appliance.


Added by Chris Wood on 22 September 2009.

This appliance appears to currently be for sale! Just seen an advert in the back of the October edition of Classic and Heritage vehicle magazine under the "Mercedes Benz" for such an appliance (and there can't be many around). The small picture appears to show that it shares a lot of the same characteristic (the same pattern of fading to the paint work on the crew cab doors, ladder profile etc etc). Didn't have any spare change, so this is from memory! I think it stated that it is 1958 with a 25m Ali ladder, 6 cylinder, diesel and made by Carl Metz. Location Berkshire. If it is the same machine, it has done amazingly to have not disintegrated in to oblivion and who ever recognized it's potential at the auction deserves a medal for foresight/services to preservation!

Added by John D on 29 September 2009.

John D, I have just seen the same advert and had the same thought! I didn't notice anything different from my picture except perhaps for a bit more decay lower down where the lockers are. It must have been under a cover or it surely would have rotted away by now.
What a coincidence that it should reappear so soon after this photo was posted.
The asking price is £5000.

Added by Chris Wood on 30 September 2009.

Uhh Chris... just a thought, maybe you can contact the seller for more info? Maybe he have the original papers???

Added by Fire995 on 01 October 2009.

Gents,

A group of wise men had a look at it and it turned out that it is a Mercedes-Benz LF311/42 DL25 build between 1958-1960. 7 pieces of this late model are known and it turned out that only 4 of these 7 is the one at the auction:
Friedberg; Pinneberg; Bingen and Uetersen

Added by Fire995 on 25 October 2009.

Thank you Frank and your group of wise men for this additional information.

Added by Chris Wood on 28 October 2009.

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