Fire Engines Photos

The West Sussex Fire Brigade purchased 6 Dennis F8's during the 1950's, and one actually saw service into the late 1970's with the brigade having been converted to a Foam Tender.The appliance when eventually sold ended up in Malta and was used in the Docks.Sadly, I found out recently its ended its life by actually falling into the Docks of Malta.
Also, take a look at picture 4881 of this Dennis F8 still in preservation today with added information, also look at picture 4845 of another West Sussex Dennis F8(Ben/Fund)still in preservation today and now looked after at the Amberley Working Museum in West Sussex.
One other WSFB Dennis F8 still exists today and is actually owned by the same person who owns this appliance and kept I understand for spare parts-its not a runner.

Added by Pete Matten on 10 December 2011.

FAO David Metson, Dave drop me an email, I have a F8 fleet list with chassis numbers etc on, I think it lists all the F8's made.

Added by Gordon Smith on 11 December 2011.

Pete. the information regarding the F8 and the Malta docks may be rather blurred. A new F8 was sent to Malta in 1955 for the Dockyard fire service it was always my belief that this was the one pushed into the docks during a riot. It was recovered and returned to this country and ended its life in a scrapyard here. It would be nice if anyone could verify this or otherwise

Added by Nigel Bayes on 06 April 2012.

Nigel, West Sussex fire Brigade had one of their former Dennis F.8s sent there. This F8 was the one based at Chichester most of its life. In 1974 it was converted to the brigades foam unit/tender.
Being sold in 1981 to the auctions at Frimley it was exported to Malta where it was placed in the docks as one of their appliances. This F8 had the squared off back end and numerous other modifications incorporated into it by the brigade,
I have tried to make inquiries into its current whereabouts but there appears some confusion as to where it could be it has even been suggested that this was the appliance that crashed into the docks. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Added by Bob Carver on 25 October 2013.

David, did you set up your website and if so could you send details, thanks.

Added by Mike Williams on 01 November 2013.

It was one of the 2 RN Dennis F12's which rioters pushed into No4 Dock in 1959 Reg No 42 RN 77. The F8 42 RM 78 was replaced and brought back to the UK. It was sold to Fife Fire Brigade in 1968

Added by S J Ryan on 20 February 2016.

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