Fire Engines Photos

Looks a good piece of kit this one Paul
Only a short life for a fire appliance, was there problems with it or was it just not up to the job?
Either way, what a machine, would be a good machine for the moors around here.

Added by John Johnstone on 15 January 2008.

I believe that at the time of production the Stonefield was going to be the great hope of a resurgence of the Scottish motor industry. It was widely talked about as a new mid-size Land Rover equivalent, but in practice they proved not fit for purpose. This is perhaps reflected in the short 5 year operational life of this machine. Can anyone fill in the details?

I think this story was repeated with the RB44, a 'special' built for the Brtish Army and also used as a fire appliance. These were claimed to be unroadworthy the moment they left the factory.

Added by Barry on 15 January 2008.

Yes, i remember the RB44, the first ones looked like a Ford A series, then like the ugly Dodge 50.
I always liked the Ford A series lookalike, but the Dodge was just palin ugly!
Thanks for the information, cheers, John.

Added by John Johnstone on 15 January 2008.

This truck is still alive and kicking and undergoing restoration. Although it is now a pick up with a Volvo engine.

Added by Doug on 25 January 2008.

Its a good pic of the vehicle, for my sins I now own it, As Doug mentions it is undergoing restoration, although I think it will have to remain a pick up, It's currently running and roadworthy, Just the dreaded MOT to go. Anyone who has any more info on it, I would be delighted to hear from you.

Added by Chester on 24 February 2008.

What a photo, this also appears on one of the old humb fire brigade postcards, I have one spare I think.
i was also the duty officer at goole fire station when the appliance was officially handed over and for my troubles was in service with the stonefield until it was taken out of service, so do know abit about it.
it was not very well liked, I drove it and it felt top heavy, I did not like the gearbox either.
i remember one guy (no names) breaking a finger when he put the trolly jack back into one of the channels at the back, he pushed and forgot to move his finger !!
is there a picture in a book somewhere, I do recall seeing one.

Added by PETER BATTY on 29 July 2008.

Hi Peter, it great to hear information on this appliance. This photo was from the Angloco works I think it was a promotional photo.It was given to me by somebody in North Yorks workshops.

Added by Paul Warnock on 29 July 2008.

Grampian had one of these based in Elgin as a Rescue tender for a many years but I think they did have a few problems with it. It had a canvas rear and different trays of tools could be loaded dependant on the type of job it was going on. After this it spent a few more years in Aberdeen as a Cliff/Quarry rescue unit. I have a photo I'll try and dig it out.

Added by Andy on 29 July 2008.

Paul, found that postcard with the Stonefield on it, pictured outside Goole fire station, not a bad photo. You can have it if you want, no charge, how do I get it to you ?

Added by PETER BATTY on 29 July 2008.

here is another pic of a Stonefield. If my info is correct it was ordered by West Sussex but was never delivered. Anybody know why?
www.fireworld.org.uk/Images/D553_DDR.jpg

Added by Doug on 31 August 2008.

The story as regards the West Sussex one is that it was delivered, but when a mechanic had it out on test it was found to be utterly unstable due to its being overloaded. The brigade had seemingly specified it had to carry far more than the chassis was in fact designed to. This unstability factor resulted in its never actually entering service.

Added by Ian Moore on 31 August 2008.

I have a few pictures of it now if anyones interested, I'm sure it started life with the Chrysler V8 Petrol. But at some point it has been changed to a Volvo Penta Diesel with a 5sp manual Spicer box. It's now mot'd and running around doing some Grunt work on my house extension. It must have been the high centre of Gravity that made it unstable, now that it's a pick up I have had 3tons in the back which barely lowered the suspension. Although even unloaded the Diesel is underpowered and struggles to maintain any speed on hills. Although it will do almost 70mph. Perhaps its overgeared now.

Added by Chester on 01 September 2008.

Hi Chester I would be interested to see it now please. Paul.

Added by Paul Warnock on 01 September 2008.

Thanks for the info Ian, do you know if the West Sussex truck is still at the Weedon Fire Service Museum?
Also the Stonefield that Grampian fire service had, that Andy talks about, is still around somewhere as it was spotted on ebay recently. Although it has been part converted to a camper now.

Added by Doug on 01 September 2008.

Hi Doug,
Yes the West Sussex one is still at Weedon

Added by Rick Loudon on 01 September 2008.

Picture added of the Grampian Stonefield ... picture 10559

Added by Andy on 02 September 2008.

I remember this appliance at Angloco under construction, we had an Angloco Unipower at Leeds Bradford and it was built by a commitee! I think a similar machine to this was made for Unst Airport in Shetland. They struck me as being top heavy and neede respect when driving them! Angloco were making a lot of one off appliances at this time.

Added by John Stott on 01 October 2008.

John your correct, there was a similar vehicle in use in the shetlands, I also own it, if it's the same one we are talking about anyway. It appears to have been built by Carmichael, or at least updated by them. Its currently undergoing restoration, its not as top heavy and looks much more like a useable appliance.

Added by Chester Smith on 02 October 2008.

Thanks for that Chester, the RAF provided cover at Unst until the oil boom and the small airstrip expanded for rig traffic, a guy I know was a member of the airfield fire service, they didnt like the machine much. It will be the one in question that you have, the only other airfield machines I knew of from there were at Sumburgh. Good luck with it.

Added by John Stott on 02 October 2008.

hi worked at unst airport(fire service) in the early ninties.The stonefield was a bit of a pig no power steering, tricky to start(easely floated)and as you say top heavy.ended up being taken of the run with gearbox failure and replaced by a talbot van!

Added by Derek Edwardson on 14 October 2008.

Thanks for confirming it Derek, Maddy said it was a dog!

Added by John Stott on 15 October 2008.

Hi, I have a pic somewhere of the Unst truck with someone in the driving seat. I wonder if its you Derek? I will dig it out and post it.

Added by Doug on 01 November 2008.

Yep, agree with the earlier comments on RB44 thingy. In Brunei itself most RB44 fire appliances are written off and the last was used until 2001.Not sure why the appliances are shortlived. Quite a waste buying it.

Added by Bomba Boy on 30 January 2009.

An ex Channel Islands(?) Stonefield is for sale in the November issue of Classic Commercials, it looks incredible, stunning in its yellow livery and appears complete (in the tiny photo). Apologies if this is mentioned above (perhaps by its owner), I was so excited that I just had to tell someone who would appreciate it. Dear Father Christmas . . .

Added by John D on 17 November 2009.

There was one stationed at Peakes Lane Grimsby for a couple of years.Designated an RAV it seemed OK but I never drove it! I think Humberside bought four of them. One for Goole, Grimsby and the others for somewhere over the river (Humber) in the old East Riding.

Added by Alan Smith on 25 April 2012.

Lothian and Borders had a Stonefield E.T. stationed at Galashiels for a while. Eventually taken off the run after a few years when there were repeated complaints about the brakes.

Added by Colin Foster on 25 April 2012.

Funny how history repeats itself! How are the Bremachs doing?

Added by Neal Glover on 25 April 2012.

Is this Stonefield the same specification as the Rescue which replaced the old Bedford RL ET at Cambridge? It was also a rather unique-looking limited production 6X6 with a two-man cab, and it too was reputedly considered to be a bit of a pig by all accounts!

Added by Rob Johnson on 01 July 2014.

Hi all I am coming a bit late but I had a P5000 4x6 x CCTV vehicle I have a bit of information like a parts list looks like a exploded brake down and have brouches that the police or manufactures give out. my one was blue and white GMC DIESEL it sold to a man who was planning to make a over land camper.

Added by Zakaria Dahou on 26 January 2015.

I have a Stonefield picture taken at Aberdeen Football Ground. SGB 200W I believe, in use as a tv Outside Broadcast van, anyone interested?

Added by Bill Brown on 09 September 2017.

Hi Bill that was my van SGB200W. Would be great to see it.

Added by Zak Dahou on 15 September 2017.

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