Fire Engines Photos

West Sussex County Fire Brigade operated five of these Utilicon C.A Vans. The conversion was by the licenced Martin Walter who built crewbuses for not only the fire brigade but mainly for civilian use. These came as six or eight seaters the fire brigade deliveries had a overall red paintwork with the Winkworth electric bell fitted to the offside front bumper. Mu home town of Arundel operated one for many years and was totally immaculate (RBP 477) this came into service and the towns river road fire station in the July of 1954 and was withdrawn from service in August of 1966. the other deliveries were as follows.. Worthing - Bognor Regis - Crawley - Selsey a couple were switched around and also at least one attended the torrey Canyon incident in Cornwall during 1967. Sadly no known photos are believed to be in existence of the these West Sussex gems. The brigade also had Austin Devon Countrymans in Deep Bronze Green during this era.

Added by BOB CARVER on 01 April 2016.

Bob, page 56 of the "Fifty Years of the West Sussex Fire Brigade" book shows a picture of the old Selsey station in 1964 with a CA van in the bay - reg RPO 457 I think..but too small to be 100% sure, but other than not seen any close up pictures of these vans. Were they just used for personnel transport or did they have a wider function?

Added by Jon Godden on 06 April 2016.

Yes Jon that is correct, these were ordered in the fifties and placed at retain stations these retain stations as follows HENFIELD ARUNDEL SELSEY CAMELS DALE were all two pump stations that were downgraded to single pump status. Henfield had a Austin Devon countryman van in a pastel green of which l have a photo. The role was hydrant testing use backup for the pump also like have evidence which suggests they were used for chimney fires on occasions. The Selsey one ended up at Chichester in its final days. They were not replaced at the retain stations. I have a reason to believe Arundel may have gone to Horsham and went to the torrid canyon incident but this could have also been Crawley one SPO 481.

Added by Bob Carver on 10 April 2016.

Yes Jon that is correct, these were ordered in the fifties and placed at retain stations these retain stations as follows HENFIELD ARUNDEL SELSEY CAMELS DALE were all two pump stations that were downgraded to single pump status. Henfield had a Austin Devon countryman van in a pastel green of which l have a photo. The role was hydrant testing use backup for the pump also like have evidence which suggests they were used for chimney fires on occasions. The Selsey one ended up at Chichester in its final days. They were not replaced at the retain stations. I have a reason to believe Arundel may have gone to Horsham and went to the torrid canyon incident but this could have also been Crawley one SPO 481.

Added by Bob Carver on 12 April 2016.

Did not Brighton CB Brigade have one of these in white as a CU? The StnO I/c of each watch used to ride it.

Added by Andrew HUghes on 02 September 2016.

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