Fire Engines Photos

They don't make them like that any more! What a beauty.

Added by Barry on 10 February 2008.

What is/was it?

Added by Scott on 10 February 2008.

Scott - as it says in the caption, it was the BdL - Breakdown Lorry.

Added by Ian Moore on 11 February 2008.

You mean a tow truck? We just call the bigguns that private companies have to tow our broken rigs in the US.

Added by TheFireman on 13 February 2008.

No, considerably more than a tow-truck ! It was also used for certain special service calls, such as things where a heavy lift was required, and as such it was consequently an operational machine.

Added by Ian Moore on 13 February 2008.

picture 1608 shows the 1970's equivalent of this machine. The recovery crane is by Holmes of America, something which the 'Fireman' maybe familiar with. Although the Holmes 750 crane is now 40 years olds 'Zips Trucks' still have all the spare parts needed to keep them running.

Added by Barry on 13 February 2008.

I believe that BL13 carried a Herbert Morris Crane which was transferred from BL 11 BYV 317 Dennis Lancet. The crane was then rechassised for a second time onto Dennis F107 BL14 314 FLM.

Added by Andy Middleton on 04 April 2010.

This actual vehicle(BL13)dates from 1956,and yes it carries a Herbert Morris crane,the crane originally coming from a 1936 breakdown lorry thats mentioned above.Around 1960 the vehicle had an argument with an RSJ whilst on towing duties when the crane jib failed to go under the RSJ and the actual vehicle broke its back.In 1964 the Herbert Morris crane was remounted for a second time and used again on a 1964 Dennis F107 breakdown lorry(BL14)and was to continue service with the London Fire Brigade until the appliance went out of service in 1977.

Added by Pete Matten on 05 April 2010.

Just in case anyone is interested. I drove this appliance and also when it became F107 314 FLM. They were both based at Clapham Fire Station, and would go out on calls to RTA's, and also recover broken down appliances, and tow them back to workshops at either Lambeth or Ruislip. Last time I saw 314 FLM was in the station yard at Paddington, and Emergency Tender OXT 779 was housed in the appliance room there also. Happy days!

Added by James Taylor on 10 November 2011.

BL13 actually broke its back in the 70s, and the crane on BL14 is, not the one off BL13, as both were in service together, albeit 13 was a spare.

Added by Bob Peters on 12 December 2011.

Does anyone have details of BLs 1-10?

Added by Bill on 13 December 2011.

Probably a daft question, but would BL13, and all LFB BdL's respond to shouts on the bell? As I imagine they werent the quickest of vehicles to drive!

Added by Andy Daley on 13 December 2011.

Andy. As far as I can remember, the answer is yes. Once it was taken away from from Clapham it no longer responded to "turn-outs". From the time this happened until I saw it again at Paddington Fire Station is not known to me personally. I bet someone out there knows this part of its history. Any offers??

Added by JAMES TAYLOR on 13 December 2011.

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