Fire Engines

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Tadpole
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Fire Engines

Post by Tadpole » Mon Jul 04, 2022 9:28 pm

I hope everyone has had a fair Independence Day.

Here is an off-topic thread for fire engines and equipment. Yesterday I bought a 1926 something-or-other fire engine. I am looking to get it running and spruce it up but I know little of fire engines, so as I research and work on it I know I will have questions, maybe those with Model T or other fire engines can give me some pointers.

My first question is does anyone recognize the manufacturer of the siren? It has no data plate. The way it is mounted looks a bit odd, any experts think it is correct or have a better idea of how to mount it?
Let’s see your fire engines as well, Ford or not!
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Rich Eagle
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Re: Fire Engines

Post by Rich Eagle » Mon Jul 04, 2022 10:02 pm

Our old friend John bought this 1931 Chevrolet Fire Truck in the '60s. I was amazed when he actually "Made" a seat for it. He had lots of fun with it over many years and was the first of several Fire trucks he had.
JohnFD.jpg
He chased the local American LaFrance for years but never could talk the City out of it.
John2.jpg
I wish I had photos of his 1913 White. It had knocked a hole in the side of the crankcase but it ran on 3 cylinders as it had a sump oil system. You could see the crankshaft spinning while it ran. No splash oil came out to speak of.
John was quite a character while he played with old vehicles during his life.
I'm glad to see your '26. You should have a lot of fun with it.
Rich
When did I do that?

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Craig Leach
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Re: Fire Engines

Post by Craig Leach » Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:18 pm

Hi Tad,
Great find, it's not often antique fire trucks come available. The sirens where often mounted on the right like that for the Captain to crank as the Engineer had his hands full driving a long, over weight & under powered unit. And that is a great looking siren. If I remember correctly the term
Deluge was synonymous with a engine driven pumper, and split shaft PTO pumps are a prized unit. Most are manufactured by Hale & Waterous, look to see if you find those names on the casting. Many trucks where ordered with only the basic components and the department or association built the hose bed and other body components them selves. I put mine together as a loose copy of the first engine driven fire apparatus the town of Las Vegas
purchased in 1917. As it fit the requirements I needed. We have done parades, tours, car shows, school demos for history classes, trunk or treats & have had a thousand or so kids in the truck for pictures & fun things like fire prevention days at the fire department. I hope you have as much fun with that one as my kids , grandkids & I had with mine.
Craig.
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Rich Eagle
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Re: Fire Engines

Post by Rich Eagle » Fri Jul 08, 2022 10:44 pm

Here is an American LaFrance we saw at a Mountain Home, ID car show a few years ago.
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So many towns kept their retired trucks for a backup and kept them shined up. I'm not sure that many do that anymore.
Rich
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Rich P. Bingham
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Re: Fire Engines

Post by Rich P. Bingham » Sat Jul 09, 2022 10:44 am

Fire equipment could be fascinating. I'm sure that's what attracted our friend John. As I recall, his first truck (the Chevy) had a bed that was originally horse-drawn. Owners of classic era Pierce-Arrows have been fortunate in that Seagraves continued to use the same 12-cyl. engine well into the 1960s, making many parts available yet.
Get a horse !

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Topic author
Tadpole
Posts: 350
Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:17 am
First Name: Tad
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Coupe, 1926 TT Closed Cab, 1924 Runabout
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MTFCA Number: 51667
Board Member Since: 2021

Re: Fire Engines

Post by Tadpole » Mon Jul 11, 2022 7:49 am

I always enjoy reading stories and looking at photos shared on the forum, great stuff!
Here is a photo of the back of the pump, it was indeed made by Prospect. I haven't been able to find much on them.
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Farmlandfire
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Re: Fire Engines

Post by Farmlandfire » Tue Jul 12, 2022 10:48 pm

Ours is a LaFrance
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Rich Eagle
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Re: Fire Engines

Post by Rich Eagle » Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:48 pm

This one showed up to a car show this weekend. A local retired Fireman bought it and passed it on after he passed on.
DR08.jpg
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PDGx
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Re: Fire Engines

Post by PDGx » Wed Aug 24, 2022 9:47 pm

Great looking Lafrance

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Rich Eagle
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Re: Fire Engines

Post by Rich Eagle » Sat Sep 24, 2022 7:14 pm

I clipped these from a 16mm movie of our friend John and his Fire truck on a tour in the 70s. I think it captures the "driving up the road".
Teton Pass is at an elevation of 8,431 feet above sea level, the pass provides access from the Jackson Hole valley in Wyoming to the Teton Valley of eastern Idaho.
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=30120#p232049
JohnD.jpg
Maybe it's special because I knew him, but I thought I would post it.
When did I do that?

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