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Fire Engine Photos
Dennis 'N' Type - 1920, under restoration
This is the 'N' Type loking forward towards the radiator. The flywheel houses a cone clutch. The shaft from the centre of the clutch goes to the Power Take Off gearbox and then onto the road speed gearox which is in the centre of the appliance. All the heavy mechanical components are therefore spread throughout the length of chassis, resulting in a low polar moment of inertia. They were designing Rapiers at Guildford 80 years before the modern versions were to appear on our roads.
The other thing to note in this picture is how the brake pedal is on the outside and the accelerator is in the middle - the reverse of todays vehicles. Sensibly there is a big 'B for Brake' cast on the pedal to remind you.
This is the 'N' Type loking forward towards the radiator. The flywheel houses a cone clutch. The shaft from the centre of the clutch goes to the Power Take Off gearbox and then onto the road speed gearox which is in the centre of the appliance. All the heavy mechanical components are therefore spread throughout the length of chassis, resulting in a low polar moment of inertia. They were designing Rapiers at Guildford 80 years before the modern versions were to appear on our roads.
The other thing to note in this picture is how the brake pedal is on the outside and the accelerator is in the middle - the reverse of todays vehicles. Sensibly there is a big 'B for Brake' cast on the pedal to remind you.
Dennis
Darlington's 1938 Dennis chassised Morris Magirus ladder - which preceded your Firemaster - had the same pedal arrangement, with an equally diminutive accelerator.
I often wondered if duty drivers of these had to have their feet measured, to make sure they could fit between the brake and clutch pedals. There wasn't much space, especially if you were wearing fireboots!
Added by Rob Johnson on 07 May 2018.