CYY 299C This is an Austin Gipsy AFS (Auxilary Fire Service) vehicle. It did not see very much action in its life: most of the time it was stored as a reserve and amazingly covered only 3,000 miles from 1965 to 1997! Note the amber lights above the headlights – a forerunner of blue flashing lights.



The rear view of the same Gipsy. This is a 1965 (series 4) example with the 2.2 lire petrol engine producing a frugal 72 bhp. The canvas back and all of the tyres are original and unrestored. The Austin Gipsy was built from 1958 to 1968 and is commonly mistaken for a Land Rover.

OTP 14M This aged Dennis appliance is livery-less and awaiting a buyer for preservation or a new lease of life. This make and style of engine was a regular sight in the 1970s and 80s. Inset: the rear view.

GYM 275N This is a Dennis F109 pump escape. It was run by London Fire Brigade from 1975 until 1987 and then sold. It is now restored and privately owned.



The frontal view of the appliance. It was used in the first series of ‘London’s Burning’ before wheeled escapes were superseded.

ACH 746H A Carmichael FT5 Landrover light four-wheel drive pump that was used by Rolls-Royce at their Sinfin test site (in Derby). This 1974 photograph illustrates the type of fire appliance used by Rolls-Royce in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. It was one of 5 FT5 airfield rapid intervention vehicles used during the period.

GXH 864 A blast from the past here with a preserved National Fire Service vehicle. It has a ‘George Rex’ insignia on the doors and the wartime headlight blinkers.



The rear view, showing that it is actually an almost-empty van with wooden roof ladders.

Watch a video of this vehicle in action!

This is an Austin NFS (National Fire Service) appliance and trailer pump. Used during and after the Second World War, the NFS assisted local fire services.

THN 948S An ex-Cleveland County Fire Brigade engine is easy to spot with its white front. This Dennis is equipped with horns, a bell, blue lights and rather surprisingly around that back …



… a wheeled escape! This is the very last engine to have such an arrangement (1977), which had been used for hundreds of years to help fight fires.

EJV 955 This old Dennis turntable ladder used to belong to Grimsby Fire Brigade. It was new in 1955 and decomissioned in 1982. It is now in preservation (2005). Notice the blue flashing beacon on top of the cab, next to the bell. Grimsby Borough Fire Brigade was merged into Humberside Fire Brigade in 1974.

Here are three preserved appliances. From left to right we have UCL 157R (Dodge), YPV 568S (Bedford) and SRT 587R (Bedford).

A scene from yesteryear – fireman ride on the side of this wheeled fire escape on their way to an incident.

A unique look at two very primitive fire appliances, which can be seen at The Castle Museum, York.



A unique look at two very primitive fire appliances, which can be seen at The Castle Museum, York.

FT 7215 is a Dennis appliance, and was in operation through to the mid 1970’s. It was then used for training.

EBB 302 was used by the City of Newcastle Fire Brigade. Notice the lack of doors on the older black one – any high-speed cornering would spell danger for the rear occupants

Now we have a vintage model fire Engine, with the aged wheeled-escape ladders. They can be disconnected from the engine and wheeled up to the foot of a building before being extended.

AM 2747 This an old (Great Western Railway) Swindon fire engine.

An old appliance from Gateshead. Both engines were run by railway fire brigades, and are were pictured in the National Railway Museum, York. Inset: side plate.

This is a Staffordshire appliance museum piece.

Here are four old fire engines on display: (left to right) A Dodge appliance, an Austin Gypsy, a Land Rover FWC, and a special Land Rover fire engine YJF 962S

A line up of old fire engines