bulldogboy

But, if things at Navistar are as bad as you have reported, would Ford want to be dragged down by Navistar? In the past after Chrysler and GM dropped out of the heavy truck business Ford eventually followed suit. While Chrysler and GM have dropped their medium duty trucks, so far, Ford has stayed in the business. During the economic downturn Ford sold off all its other car businesses (Volvo, Jaguar, etc) to focus (no pun intended) on its core brands. After the falling out over the Blue Diamond endeavor I wonder if Ford would want to get involved again or do they want to keep their current business plan (hopefully to include medium duty trucks)? bulldogboy

Sorry, I can't be of any help in your search but that would be a great find for your fire department. I think that it is great when a fire department restores one (or more) of its Mack fire trucks. There are some departments around here that have restored antique Macks and other departments, like yours, that would love to find a former Mack truck. Good luck with your search, keep us posted. bulldogboy

RSteele: I saw the "Rubber Duck" truck on another website. Is this other website yours? There was also a page about the St. Louis Fire Department "R" model pumpers delivered in 1968. bulldogboy

A lot of open cab "L" models for sale lately. They are classics so I hope that they all find good homes. bulldogboy

Several years ago I was standing in my backyard when I heard jets flying overhead. I looked up and saw several A-10s flying in formation. There are none stationed around here but I thought that they might be from Connecticut. A few minutes later I heard a thunderous sound that scared the daylights out of me. Suddenly, that flight of A-10s was screaming over my house almost at treetop level. It was an amazing sight. bulldogboy

Nice looking truck, hope that you remembered the wheel chocks! How's everything over at Yocum Creek FD, haven't heard from Joe lately? bulldogboy

That East Greenwich, RI Mack "B" model fire engine is a 1958 B-475. It is currently being restored by the East Greenwich Veteran Firemen's Association. The Association has also restored East Greenwich's 1938 Mack Type 75 pumper, 1961 Mack C-95 pumper, 1964 Mack C-95 pumper, and 1972 Mack "CF" Aerialscope. East Greenwich also had a 1958 Mack "B" straight aerial ladder truck. Another Mack, a 1992 Mack "RD"/ Ranger 1000/3000, was sold to Center Ossipee, NH in 2005 bulldogboy

Nice trucks. When did they change the round headlights to the quads? bullogboy

Kissimmee, FL has changed a bit since that photo was taken. Those are great old photos, brings back some memories. bulldogboy

fxfymn: There is a website, www.firenews.org, that has a lot of information about New England fire departments. If you go to "Department Listings", "Massachusetts", "Barnstable", there is a photo of Barnstable's 1935 Mack. If you are on the Cape and have a day available, head over to Martha's Vineyard. Edgartown has a fire museum with a restored 1927 Mack "AB" pumper and a 1952 Mack "A" pumper. bulldogboy

TRFD1933: Maybe you could touch base with the Barnstable, MA Fire Department; they have restored their 1935 Mack "B" model pumper, very similar to yours. They may have some ideas to help you. Barnstable, like Palmer, has several separate fire departments (Cotuit, Barnstable, West Barnstable, Hyannis, and Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills). Barnstable has the restored '35 and Hyannis has a 1950 "L" model. Good luck with your project. Re: ground ladders. I know of one department that bought an "L" model pumper in the mid-1940s and it came with suction hoses on both sides. It was intended to be a water source engine. bulldogboy

Congratulations and continued good luck in the future. In any endeavor the hardest part is getting started. Also, remember, you are not doing this just for yourself but for your wife and two boys. bulldogboy

How did we get from the top of Mt. Washington, NH to sunny Florida in the same thread? Yes, I know, take I-95. bulldogboy

I have a few old pictures that I saved from a calendar, one of them is a 1936 Mack Jr fire engine. There is no name on the truck but it has NY license plates. It has been beautifully restored. Unfortunately, I can't scan it. bulldoigboy

GearheadGrrrl: $250 a year; is that per household? Are you served by a subscription fire department? I've read that some subscription departments will fight a fire in a non-member's property and then send a bill while other departments will not fight a fire unless the subscription has already been paid. Having worked for a tax supported fire department this is a foreign concept for me but it might be good to know in advance for those who may be served by a subscription fire department. Mack fire trucks automatically make the department better. bulldogboy

Check out the "Craigslist Macks" thread. There is an FWD fire engine for sale by the Alexandria, NH Fire Department. bulldogboy

Yes, 231 MPH. At one time it was the highest wind speed recorded on Earth. It has since been bypassed by a recorded speed in New Zealand several years ago. Still, it's a different place to visit; it can be summer at the base and snowing at the summit. There is a NOAA weather station and NH state park at the summit. Another route up, other than hiking, is the Cog Railway. It's an experience but expensive. On one side of the mountain is Tuckerman's Ravine. People usually ski there into late spring but beware of avalanches, they can be dangerous. bulldogboy

There was snow in the White and Green Mts. last night; saw pictures of Mount Mansfield, VT and Bretton Woods, NH covered in snow. Littleton, NH received about 4 inches. Drove through Hinsdale, MA last Sunday; first time in my life although I have been to Hinsdale, NH several times. bulldogboy

The Hollis, NH Mack "R" was originally delivered to Hollis as an engine. It was later rebuilt as a tanker with a body by Valley Fire Equipment. The "L" model came from a department in New Jersey (I think). It is now owned by a private collector who keeps his trucks in top condition. Last time that I saw it, it was in nice shape. The FWD was in Alexandria, NH for many years. This is the same department that previously owned MADDOG93's Mack "B" and Ward LaFrance engines. They have replaced all three with two IH/Valley engines and a 2012 Ford F-550/Smeal pumper. bulldogboy

Thanks to all you guys who maintain old Mack trucks for our enjoyment. I would love to have an old Mack fire engine but I have three strikes against me: 1. I'm a retired firefighter - No money (but lots of "L" and "B" memories) 2. No place to park one. No way I would buy one to leave it outdoors in New England 3. I'm not a mechanic, I think that you have to be able to do maintenance on them. I read a lot of these threads and I'm amazed (and jealous) at what you guys know and can do to your trucks. I'll continue to live vicariously through you guys. bulldogboy

Drove to the top of Pilot Mountain in 2011; it's a state park. Very unusual looking mountain. Mount Airy, NC was the setting for Mayberry on "The Andy Griffith Show". The neighboring town to Mayberry was Mount Pilot. bulldogboy

kscarbel: I knew you would have the answer; thanks for the info and link to the previous post. bulldogboy

Mindlessly surfing the web again and I came upon an NPR report on new fire engines needed in Afghanistan. It showed Afghan firefighters training on a fire engine built on a Ford high cabover that looked similar to the "Xcient". The story said that the engine was American built but the chassis was obviously European. Anyone have information on this model Ford? bulldogboy

Yikes, I hope there isn't a quiz on this any time soon! bulldogboy

Must have been a slow day in New York City when you could draw a crowd to watch a street being cleaned. bulldogboy