Although Leyland had a very strong presence in fire brigade fleets in the years up to WWII, they sold relatively few post war Comets as fire appliances, and were overshadowed by Bedford and Commer in most county and many municipal fire brigades. I recall a fire officer in Middlesbrough regretting their purchase of a Comet, and comparing it very unfavorably to the town’s trio of contemporary Dennis pumpers, with their much more powerful Rolls Royce eight cylinder engines!
As a last gasp, Leyland tried in 1960 to get back into the fire appliance business with the Firemaster chassis. This was a shortened bus chassis with an underfloor engine and semi automatic transmission. Only eleven were built, as the layout was not ideal for many fire service applications, and more conventional chassis were actually performing quite well.
As a last gasp, Leyland tried in 1960 to get back into the fire appliance business with the Firemaster chassis. This was a shortened bus chassis with an underfloor engine and semi automatic transmission. Only eleven were built, as the layout was not ideal for many fire service applications, and more conventional chassis were actually performing quite well.
Added by Rob Johnson on 03 March 2024.