Fire Engines Photos

It was a sad day when Humberside went to Scanias because Dennis stopped making the Rapier, this was the last one Scunthorpe had out of 4 - one mk1 L239 CAG, then three Mk 2's N924 ERH - still the retained pump S835 NRH and finally YX51 FYH which was almost the last one built. they were/are fantastic driving machines not like the Scanias which are ok (delivering potatoes etc.) to drive distance, but useless when trying to get round tight turns or reverse up a tenfoot to a garage/car fire we tried to keep a Rapier for as long as we could but the transport officer and an ACO who between them hadn't a clue overruled it. They were without doubt the best 'in service' appliances I drove in over 32 years operational service.

Added by Rick Loudon on 10 May 2008.

Are Scania's really that bad?
I know South Yorks have bought them but the drivers and mechanics don't rate them, but i always thought they were the bees knees.
Dennis are still by far the best appliance, where i live, North Yorks, they run Volvo's, boring, bland and not to good, and the ALP at York is a merc econic and that thing is just a joke!
Anyone know what is happening to Dennis at the mo? i only hope they don't stop producing fire engines.

Added by John Johnstone on 11 May 2008.

John, As I said they're fine for delivering potatoes to the superstores as Volvos are ! but, when it comes to purpose built fire appliances the Rapier is head and shoulders above anything else, both in speed, agility and handling - believe me I have driven fire appliances operationally for almost 30 years until retiring last March from the wholetime service and also long distance for a friend I have driven a Rapier from Humberside to Swansea and from Surrey to Humberside and Volvo's / Scanias from Scotland/ London to Humberside and Humberside to Ireland and after both delivery driving and EFADS driving I know that nothing compares with a Rapier, I'd have one myself along with the other vehicles we own (see under Mark Loudon) but the on board computers will in future cause problems beyond my capabilities.

Added by Rick Loudon on 11 May 2008.

hi im a firefighter in west sussex and we did have rapiers from the first j reg right up to w reg before they went to sabres and now like other brigades were also on scanias but we have a p reg rapier on our station from new and even though its the second away we all love it very much it beats the sabre hands down and we have been told its going to be replaced in the next year or so for maybe a past down scania so our rapier will be going to the reserve fleet that will be a sad day when it goes, i think we were the second brigade apart from humberside to have so many rapiers with having 34 from mk 1s right up to the last all with john dennis bodywork

Added by Calvin Fox on 11 May 2008.

What about the Dagger then, is it still on offer from Dennis. The only ones I know of are for in WJ02XOG for Devon, RX03XJU and RX04AWY in Royal Berkshire, EU06UFL and EU06UFM for Essex and the Demonstrator Y998KDP, which is now in New Zealand.

Added by Andy McVean on 15 May 2008.

Ah yes, the Dagger ! This one can hardly be described as the success story of the century ! In addition to those you mention, Hertfordshire have KF02 UZT & KF02 UZU, West Sussex have HV02 ZZJ & HV02 ZZK, New Zealand received two new that are CKT.747 & CKT.748, and another demonstrator (RY03 GZD) was ultimately sold to Dublin where it became 03-D-72531. Finally, one that has been at Dennis for some time, has also been purchased by Royal Berkshire. That's the lot to date.

Added by Ian Moore on 15 May 2008.

Please add your comments about this picture using the form below.

Comments

Your Name

Your email address - this will be shown on the page and will allow the system to notify you of further comments added to this picture.