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Fire Engine Photos
Gwynne Light Pump 1922
Exhibited in the Coventry Motor Museum...this light pump was built by the Gwynne Company of London in 1922....and was a demonstrator...it was later sold to the village fire brigade of Mountnessing, Essex.
In 1939 it was passed on to the works FB of Marconi at Chelmsford. During a night of heavy bombing during WW2, this little fire engine helped save the machine, paint and carpenters workshops by pumping water at the rate of 350 gallons per minute for no less than 24 hours.
In 1955 the pump was on display at Essex Fire Brigade HQ at Brentford. 14 years later it was restored by apprentices from Marconi Ltd and is now at Coventry.
The 950cc engine is rated at 8hp and will pump water at 100gpm at 100psi at an engine speed of 3000gpm
Photograph taken on 11/10/2009
Exhibited in the Coventry Motor Museum...this light pump was built by the Gwynne Company of London in 1922....and was a demonstrator...it was later sold to the village fire brigade of Mountnessing, Essex.
In 1939 it was passed on to the works FB of Marconi at Chelmsford. During a night of heavy bombing during WW2, this little fire engine helped save the machine, paint and carpenters workshops by pumping water at the rate of 350 gallons per minute for no less than 24 hours.
In 1955 the pump was on display at Essex Fire Brigade HQ at Brentford. 14 years later it was restored by apprentices from Marconi Ltd and is now at Coventry.
The 950cc engine is rated at 8hp and will pump water at 100gpm at 100psi at an engine speed of 3000gpm
Photograph taken on 11/10/2009
Hi Bob...no the only other appliances they have is a Karrier Gamecock which I have posted on here, an Austin Gypsy, a Dennis open pump (pics posted later) and a much modified Austin K2 former ATV which is not on public display (and I was not able to see and photograph. They also have a couple of trailer pumps
Added by Barrie Green on 13 October 2009.
Added by Barrie Green on 13 October 2009.
...and don't forget the two Jaguar XJ tenders used as support vehicles for the Thrust 2 and Thrust SSC land speed record cars. Each was in its day the world's fastest fire engine!
Added by Adam Floyd on 15 October 2009.
Added by Adam Floyd on 15 October 2009.
I didnt forget them Adam....I posted a pic of the SSC Jag at the same time !!!
Added by Barrie Green on 16 October 2009.
Added by Barrie Green on 16 October 2009.
Does anybody know the names of the apprentices that restored this f/engine, (tall order). I do remember seeing this at rallies 80/90"s. Regards
Added by Chris Wild on 27 July 2011.
Added by Chris Wild on 27 July 2011.
I have many happy memories of this very machine from my time at Marconi, including driving it from London to Brighton.
Added by Dave on 28 July 2011.
Added by Dave on 28 July 2011.
I now know two of the apprentices"s names Dave
and Simon (who is with my sister in law)
Added by Chris Wild on 29 July 2011.
and Simon (who is with my sister in law)
Added by Chris Wild on 29 July 2011.
Hi All, Friend Simon came back with two more names making four. Are there any more? Can anybody remember any rallies where the back axle broke (crown wheel). Mr Rowly might remember (see you at Odiham??). Regards Chris Wild
Added by Chris Wild on 03 August 2011.
Added by Chris Wild on 03 August 2011.
Have just attended a fantastic 'Marconi day' at Sandford Mill in Chelmsford, it was very good and am now nostalgically remembering fantastic days as a Marconi apprentice and have goggled the fire Engine, along with Mr Cushing I was involved with the London to Brighton run and other outings with 'invincible' wearing the uniforms and helmets - oiling the leather cone clutch, getting my head around the pedal positions (throttle in the center) and the cable brakes, with a massive Brass weight (the pump) at the back ! Engaging the pump lifting a gate and engaging what would have been top gear (dog leg gear change from memory)
Also the V4 transit used to tow the flatbed trailer (which had been a caravan) with stub axles that kept snapping !
Yes I do seem to remember invincible coming to a very sudden halt when the back diff locked up ! and an event with the local fire brigade when she emptied a skip of water very quickly !
- what a machine !
Added by Neil C... on 26 April 2014.
Also the V4 transit used to tow the flatbed trailer (which had been a caravan) with stub axles that kept snapping !
Yes I do seem to remember invincible coming to a very sudden halt when the back diff locked up ! and an event with the local fire brigade when she emptied a skip of water very quickly !
- what a machine !
Added by Neil C... on 26 April 2014.
Other
It's nice to see a shot of this classic Gwynne, the first I've seen since someone sent me color slides of it back in the 1960s when it was being sent to fire displays. By any chance does this museum have a model of the 1938-39 Bedford pump built by Coventry Climax, four door cab, rear pump mounted amidships; only a few were built?
Thanks.
Added by Bob Graham on 13 October 2009.