Fire Engines Photos

Actually Chris this is an ACRT, it pre dates Tacrs. Two 150lb dry powder kettles discharged through two sidelines. A wallowing beast but prone to broken half shafts due to the weight. A crew of two and in service from the early sixties to around the 1977 mark. The powder was discharged through the sidelines by nitrogen. The cylinders ran lengthways and accessed from behind the crew seats. Internal controls then charged the kettles, although the hoses had to be run out before they were finally used, if not they would jam in the cradles. There was a final run by the branchman back to the machine to pull a lever on the kettle to do this. Very good knockdown but always a danger of flashback, although many smaller fires were extinguished by the powder alone. I remember a crew receiving a bravery award for rescuing a mechanic from a fire with one. I think it was at Upavon in the seventies, the local garage was on fire and the fellow was trapped in an inspection pit under a car.

Added by John Stott on 07 August 2014.

The discharge rate on the sideline was on spread 3lbs per second and on jet 6lbs p/second total powder weight was 400lbs in 2x200lb kettles. hose length 75ft.

Added by Bob Ewing on 08 August 2014.

Thanks Bob, got mixed up with the 110 we had at Leeds Bradford! That had two 150lb kettles and the ACRT had 200lbs. I remember an Lac being trusted with performing a blowback in the bays once, it might have been me. Anyway the kettle blew the threads and powder was deposited in most nooks and crannies of that section for many a year :)

Added by John Stott on 14 August 2014.

Please add your comments about this picture using the form below.

Comments

Your Name

Your email address - this will be shown on the page and will allow the system to notify you of further comments added to this picture.