bulldogboy

In the 1960s, '70s, '80s, and early '90s, the Ford "C" model was probably the most used chassis for fire apparatus. Just about every manufacturer (except Mack and it did use the "N" model) used the "C" model. Late in the 1980s, Pierce, in order to compete with the "C-8000" model and eventually replace it, introduced the Dash "D-8000" chassis. The "D-8000" used the same Caterpillar 3208 diesel engine and Allison transmission that the "C-8000" used. Like the Mack "MB" model in the '70s, the Dash "D-8000" was a way for small departments to move up to an affordable custom chassis with components that they were familiar with. bulldogboy

Two years ago at JetBlue Park, AKA "Fenway South", in Lee County, FL, I saw a UPS Ford Transit Connect van. The ultimate small package delivery vehicle. I was unable to get a photo of it. bulldogboy

That is different!! Pierce is the leader in custom fire apparatus and if it has confidence in the Ford diesel it says a lot. It will be interesting to see how well customers take to the Ford diesel. bulldogboy

Former Westbrook, CT. Engine 2, 1250/1000. bulldogboy

Too bad that they have to sell it; looks like it's in good shape and is a great parade/P.R. piece. bulldogboy

Back on October 28, 2016, I posted this picture of a new UPS Ford "F-650" under "Trucking News - Ford Medium Duty Trucks". The photo was taken in Nashua, NH. I haven't seen it around lately so I don't know if it came from another facility or if it was sent somewhere else. bulldogboy

I just posted it under "New Hampshire Macks". I saw the "MB" first and had to take a picture of a Mack fire engine. I saw the "RW" afterwards and took a picture of it. Two old workhorses rusting away. bulldogboy

Former Alton, NH Fire Department Engine 5, a 1975 Mack "MB", 1250/1000, sitting by the side of the road (and behind some weeds) in New Hampshire. bulldogboy

Another Superliner tractor with sleeper sitting by the side of the road in New Hampshire. bulldogboy

I saw a USPS Ford "Transit" van in Gloucester, MA last week. So, I guess, it's buying some Ford vans. bulldogboy

Interesting article. Charlie Sorensen was Henry Ford's right hand man in the early days and worked for Ford Motor Company for more than three decades starting as a pattern maker and production man. "Cast Iron" Charlie worked on the Model "T" and was instrumental in developing the moving assembly line, in fact, Sorensen and others took some credit for the assembly line but history gives the credit to Henry Ford. Later when Edsel Ford took over the management of Ford, Sorensen sided with Edsel against Henry Ford and Harry Bennett the pugnacious leader of the secretive and violent "Service Department". When Edsel Ford wanted to aid the WWII war effort by building B-24 "Liberator" four engine bombers on an automobile style assembly line it was Sorensen who designed the layout for the new Willow Run bomber factory. It was also Sorensen who had the audacity to tell US government officials that the new plant would produce one bomber an hour. By the end of the war Willow Run was building a bomber per hour; promise kept. Before he retired Sorensen helped Henry Ford II when he took over the management of Ford and finally ended Bennett's reign of terror in the Ford plants. No doubt that "Cast Iron" Charlie Sorensen was a major player in the development of the American automobile industry. In his book, "The Arsenal of Democracy", author A.J. Baine tells of the secret room on Piquette Avenue and the development of the Model "T". bulldogboy

Former Penobscot, ME Fire Department, Engine 4, 750/2000. It was replaced by a smaller 2016 Freightliner/E-One pumper/tanker. According to the Penobscot department the Mack, while "iconic", its "double clutch and temperamental nature" made it difficult to use in emergency situations. Also, being 44 years old it was probably hard to find parts for it. bulldogboy

A DIVCO sitting in Westford, MA. bulldogboy

What about the "Budd" cab used by Ford, Mack, and to a lesser extent, FWD? There were a lot of those around. bulldogboy

Excellent program. 1911 was also the year that Mack built its first pumper, on a "Senior" chassis, for the Union Fire Association of Lower Merion, Cynwyd, PA. bulldogboy

Milford, NH Fire Department used to operate this 1978 Mack "CF", 1000/500, as Engine 61, one of three "CF" pumpers that it owned. The department also wanted to buy a "CF" ladder truck in the '80s but was shot down at town meeting. Engine 61 later served with the Ipswich, MA Fire Department at its Linebrook station. Whereabouts today unknown. bulldogboy

Fitzwilliam, NH also had a 1973 Mack "CF", 1000/500, that it purchased from English Consul, MD. The 2008 Granite/Ferrara is the only Mack still in service in Fitzwilliam. bulldogboy

Fitzwilliam, NH has always liked Mack apparatus, they still have a 2008 Mack "Granite"/Ferrara tanker. I just can't get into square headlights being put on "R". "MB", "MC" or "CF" chassis; I like the original. But, it's not my truck sooooo...... bulldogboy

Does anyone know if the red/white "B" model fire pumper (x-East Conway, NH) sold? bulldogboy

Abbott Machine Company was on Main Street in downtown Wilton, NH across the street from the fire station. There was also the Abbott Worsted Mill in Wilton; same owners. In the early 1970s I remember that "ED" sitting in a field on Main Street in Wilton where the new police station is located today. It was a complete truck at that time. Several years later when I met my wife to be, my future father-in-law was working at Abbott and told me that he used to drive that old green Mack. Small world, indeed!! bulldogboy

Red Horse: Middlefield's new tanker is built by 4 Guys Fire Apparatus of Meyersdale, PA; it has a 2700 gallon tank. It is not unusual for a pumper/tanker to carry a ladder. This gives it the ability to function as a fully equipped pumper if it has to respond alone or fills in for an out of service pumper. Middlefield also has a 1959 Mack "B" model, semicab pumper as a parade unit. bulldogboy

When Mack sold the "MS" model later versions offered a four door option called the "Team Manager". It was marketed to utility companies and emergency services. Shortly thereafter, the "MS" model was discontinued. Perhaps Mack is going to offer a four door "LRU" to the utilities. In order to be a fire chassis the "LRU" would have to meet stringent NFPA requirements regarding fire chassis that are not found on commercial trucks, such as dual ignitions, rollover protection, etc. I doubt that Volvo and Mack would want to invest that much into a chassis that would sell in limited numbers. When the "MS" was sold, Mack offered a fire chassis version of the "R", "MC", and "MS" chassis. I know of one "Team Manager" in the fire service, a 1999 "MS"/KME in Washington, NH. bulldogboy

j hancock: Do you know if that "ED" from Kemp's was once owned by the Abbott Machine Company in Wilton, NH? My late father-in-law once drove that truck for Abbott. bulldogboy

August in New England, time to mount the plow frame. Won't be long for the blade. bulldogboy

The red and white "B" model fire truck is East Conway, NH Fire Department's old Engine 2. It is a "B-42" so it is a commercial model with another manufacturer's body on it. Sad to see it in such bad shape. bulldogboy