Fire Engines Photos

I think you'll find that's JH8235, a 1934 Dennis D3 (predecessor of the Big 4) pump escape new to Letchworth FB, taken into Hertfordshire FB in 1948. 4-cyl 5702cc side-valve petrol engine, 350-400gpm, in production 1932 to 1935

Added by Roger Mardon on 24 November 2020.

Roger thank you for this identification. I think I am right in saying the Letchworth appliance was delivered in green. I have never heard of a D3. Dennissociety database lists this as a Big 4 from 1934.
I now realise I have another photo of this in my collection as it was owned by Paul Adorian at the Malaya garage Billinsgurst in the 1960s, alongside West Ham's Big 6 JD1490. I will post the picture.
Petros - site moderator.

Added by Petros on 25 November 2020.

Petros, The D3 had a side-valve engine as opposed to the Big 4's overhead valve. The Big 4 was introduced in 1936 but the term is conveniently used for earlier appliances, even though not strictly correct. Yes, JH 8235 was green.

Added by Roger Mardon on 26 November 2020.

This used to be owned by Paul Adorian in the 1960s



Added by Petros on 04 November 2022.

Interesting that by 1931 fully enclosed fire pumps were already introduced in both England and Scotland, not to mention in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal - and quite possibly in other places too. James Braidwood’s idea for configuring fire appliances was quite innovative in his day, but arguably persisted for decades longer than it should have, as some of the early postwar Dennis offerings were still very much a modified open cab design.

Added by Rob Johnson on 04 November 2022.

I now know that this appliance was driven from London to Paris by its then owner Paul Adorian to mark the three hundredth anniversary of the Great Fire of London. The reference is

www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-1934-vintage-fire-engine-with-owner-paul-adorian-at-the-wheel-leaves-108517465.html

Added by Petros on 17 February 2023.

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