Fire Engines Photos

Nice to see the first Bikini Unit with its full complement of three rafts. You certainly knew you had them over the cab roof when driving. They were weighty items! So too were the 'Light' Portable Pumps. Did a display with them on Roath Park Lake in Cardiff about 1964. Don't suppose anyone has any photos though?

Added by Tony Madsen on 24 February 2013.

The GG isnt according to DLVA website...looks a bit strange without ladders and spotlight. I wonder what the logic behind that was.

Added by Barrie Green on 24 February 2013.

I joined the AFS in August 1966 and served until the end and during all of that time I never once heard the Bedford Pump being referred to as Green Godess. Not until the fireman's strike in 1977 did the press start to use the term. May be it was a provincial term, it certainly was not used in London as far as I can recall.

Added by Peter Spearink on 31 March 2013.

Peter in 1964 (and onwards) the AFS here in Edinburgh used the 'Goddess' term. When we full timers had to put one on the run (because we had broken our normal red one) we always, always referred to them as 'Green Monsters'.

Added by Colin Foster on 31 March 2013.

Colin,
I think this re-enforces my idea that the term was used in other regions but not in London. I honestly believed that it was an invention of the press during the 1977 strike.

Added by Peter Spearink on 01 April 2013.

This Bedford pump was ex-Army FS and then became one of two appliances at Sunderland Airport (hence the orange beacon). It is still going strong as a fully restored preserved appliance but with a different reg.

Added by G-Tom on 18 April 2013.

Hopefully this year at Preston Park Fire Engine Rally there should be a few Ex AFS machines in attendance

Added by Dave Elms on 19 April 2013.

Presumably including a Bedford R Breakdown Lorry! I was going to put BL then remembered the international viewers.

Added by Neal Glover on 20 April 2013.

Yes Neal she'll be there we hope to have a little show latter on saturday evening , weather permitting this year

Added by Dave Elms on 21 April 2013.

OCU975R is now registered XAS523. It is in dry storage at the moment with charging trouble. It has been off the road since 2009 but will hopefully return this year to the rally scene.

Added by John Rollo on 19 May 2013.

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