Fire Engines Photos

I remember these from my AFS days but never with a Winkworth bell fitted. I think one of these was allocated to Liverpool

Added by Dave Price on 10 July 2011.

I agree Dave, I was going to post that but you beat me to it

Added by Barrie Green on 10 July 2011.

Yes, we're all agreed that these vehicles never had bells !

Added by Ian Moore on 11 July 2011.

I think when JP got it all them many years ago it already had the bell on the front. He was very much into his AFS (owning pretty much everything the AFS had). I dont think he would have played about with it. Its also always had "property of the scottish home department" on the side while in his ownership.

Added by Davey G on 11 July 2011.

J P was very particular on the facts of his appliances and would not put anything on that was not authentic

Added by Bobe on 11 July 2011.

I guess the bell could have been fitted by the host brigade, I know that they were not supposed to be adapted or altered from the original spec I also am aware that some were....Darlington for instance fitted a chrome bell and pump outlet valves on their GGs

Added by Barrie Green on 11 July 2011.

Somerset AFS had SXF153. It was listed as a personnel carrier.

Added by Paul Pickford on 11 July 2011.

Reading your comments lads, these utility personnel vehicles were never issued from the Home Office with bells. But several Brigades in the fifties did fit them to H.M vehicles for although they were the Home Office Property they were in times of crisis put to use by several local authorities, I do have a period photography taken in Stirling of one with the bell fitted. What a smashing Austin Devon to own and beautifully presented.

Added by BOB CARVER on 13 July 2011.

Are there any models of the A.F.S. motorcycles produced in this country, perhaps Pete Matten and others in the model fraternity would know?
Thanks in anticipation!
Alan.J

Added by Alan Jones ex Berkshire on 13 July 2011.

Hi Alan.The AFS used various motor cycles but mainly Matchless and AJS Motor cycles.I'm not really into bikes so don't really want to make out I know it all, I know nothing.
B.W.Models do a couple of models in their 1.76 scale range and you get 2 motor bikes at the price of £4.00.
Go to the Transport Models site and check out under'Links'.....B.W.Models under the section:- manufacturers website.

Added by Pete Matten on 13 July 2011.

Brigades did do modifications to their AFS vehicles, London had chrome electric bells on some of their Goddesses fitted to the bumper. Bristol fitted Marchal blue beacons to theirs and I may be mistaken but I think they may of had two tones as well and just to be different BRISTOL was painted in cream on the sides. Gloucestershire had red and silver plates on theirs with Auxiliary Fire Service, beneath that was the station name then Gloucestershire below that.So I think research may throw up all sorts of little quirks.

Added by Avonmouth on 14 July 2011.

didnt the Marchal beacons and two tones come on the back of the 1977 firefighter's strike?

Added by Glenn Ramsden on 14 July 2011.

No they were fitted in the 60's in Bristol, in the run up to bonfire night Goddeses would often turn out on their drill nights to rubbish fires with an L4P, the regular Lf there just to supervise. They also turned out as reliefs in the evening if it was a case of just a case of pouring on water.

Added by Avonmouth on 14 July 2011.

In the early 60s Cheshire used to have one of Bebingtons EPs on the run at Heswall as 2nd pump and would use them on drill nights as releif or extra pumps. On one occasion in 1960 Bebingtons EP and ATV were turned out to major flooding in Northwich. On the bell all the way.

Added by Neal Glover on 14 July 2011.

Yes some brigades did fit blue lights and two tone horns on there green goddesses I think rochdale was one, As for turning out to fires we at St.helens would turn out fires on drill night as part of the attendance and on bonfire night we would have a crew on all three goddesses so the wholetime crews were left for other fire.

Added by Dave Price on 15 July 2011.

Pete,
Thanks for advice re: the AFS motor cycle models, I contacted B.W. models direct who were unable help any other ideas!
Looking forward to seeing your models Odiham this year,
REgards Alan J

Added by Alan Jones ex Berkshire on 20 July 2011.

Lovely.I think this is the one I owned in the early 1970's, can you tell from the log book? I lived in Brighton at the time where I changed the kingpins many moons ago!

Added by Doug. Mackie on 05 December 2011.

These AFS staff vehicles were always referred to as an Austin 'Countryman' in South Eastern Fire Brigade (Pre- Lothian & Borders). The wording on the side said 'Property of the Scottish Home and Health Department'. And I agree the did not have bells fitted.

Added by Colin McFarlane Foster on 06 December 2011.

Hi everyone. I saved SXF 159 from being scrapped in 1976 and it been off the road for many years. I was 14 at the time and did my best to renovate it? So admitting defeat I sold it to a chap from the Batley fire museum, who subsequently sold it on. I did track down the owner many years later in the Richmond area? and to his disbelief I showed him my photos and the newsper articles of the car. could any one please give me his contact details again as I have lost them. I am 49 now and would dearly love to own the car I saved back in 1977. I bought the car for £12 from Jim Sambrooks at the Sandtoft Trolleybus museum in Doncaster.

Added by Andy kissack on 06 February 2012.

Bet you pay more than 12 quid if you do trace it Andy.... If it is in the Richmond area still...I would imagine it would have turned up at the annual Preston Park Fire Engine show...Brett Clayton who has run the show for more than 25 years would know .... he posts on this site from time to time

Added by Barrie Green on 07 February 2012.

SXF 159 Was owned by the Late Great John Pamenter, who was in the Richmond Area - Middletone Tyas.

Its now co-owned by Mr & Mrs Bailey in Darlington.

Added by Davey G on 07 February 2012.

If this is a Fire Service Vehicle, why isn't it painted red?? I have the same model A40 Countryman in my collection, (in Australia)

Added by A Waller on 05 January 2016.

All AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service-1949-68) vehicles were painted green.After the AFS was disbanded in 1968 many vehicles might have been retained by county brigades and would certainly have been repainted red.

Added by Pete Matten on 07 January 2016.

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