Firepics-THE place for fire photographers

[quote name='wardengine' post='64904' date='Jan 5 2007, 13:31 ']nice small that can be put anywhere,realistic preconnect heights[/quote]





Most of DC's residences have alleys behind them. The 2nd and 4th due engines take the rear position, along with the 2nd due ladder. Some alleys are tougher than others, worse when you add the moron that parked too close to one. So the short wheelbase will make a big difference in certain parts of DC.



Glad to see the shops (and the street) aren't overflowing with rigs like they used to.

Sweet looking rig. Thanks for sharing the pics and info.

Does anyone have a photo that shows the rear of the "phone booth" add on crew compartment from the Ford C engines? Or does anyone remember what they looked like inside, and more specifically, did they have any rear windows? Going to attempt to build a model of one. Thanks. Rich

Rich there were 2 styles used in DC. in the early to mid 1970's I think the Fords were mated to Hahn Chassis. These were mostly Red with a white stripe. Then the 1980's had the white rigs (Ford/E-One) with the "stars and bars".



The 2nd version, I believe had the firefighters sit facing "OUT THE DOOR" (not foward or backward). I do not remember seeing any windows other then the doors in the crew area.

The Ford/E-1 P.O.S. rigs DC bought, the Brothers sat facing the rear. 2 windows were above them in the front of the box, and 2-3 vents above as well. No windows were on the rear wall of the box, as this is where the SCBA was kept.











This pic on the Ford is backwards, but hope it helps anyway

That is pretty much what I needed to know. The photos I have show the windows that face the front. I just could not tell if there were any facing the rear. Hope to have the model finished by the time my DC Fire decal sheet prints. I always liked the white DC rigs with the stars. Thanks a bunch you guys, I appreciate it very much. Rich

No problem, glad I could help in anyway. I hated the stars and bars cuz it was marion barrys thing. But if ya remember, send me a pic of your completed work. Id love to see it no matter what.

[quote name='smketrfdny' post='64947' date='Jan 5 2007, 16:42 ']Glad to see the shops (and the street) aren't overflowing with rigs like they used to.[/quote]



You should have seen it Friday.

Don't miss those days. Thats for sure.

[attachment=9495][ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND][quote name='RichRoadB' post='65871' date='Jan 8 2007, 14:29 ']Does anyone have a photo that shows the rear of the "phone booth" add on crew compartment from the Ford C engines? Or does anyone remember what they looked like inside, and more specifically, did they have any rear windows? Going to attempt to build a model of one. Thanks. Rich[/quote]



I've scanned some of my old snapshots for you.



In 1971, the Department specified a rig that, with revisions, would become the most prevalent pumping apparatus in the DCFD history - the Ford crew-box.



Nine Ford/Ward LaFrances were delivered that year. These were the first DC rigs to have all enclosed seating for the firefighters. They had Hale QSD 75-3 pumps (750 gpm), whose 9 ½” impeller was single stage – another first (I believe) for the department. With a length of nearly 27 ½’ and a 175” wheelbase, the Ford C-8000 had a few critics. The shop numbers were S-116 thru 124.



Note the battery box on the running board. Members sat facing forward on a bench seat that was removable for storage. Crew boxes had both forward and rear facing windows up thru 1980.



This is E-8 in 1975. Fire is at the Metro tunnel under construction, 15th & Pennsylvania Ave SE.

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Five Ford/American LaFrances were delivered in 1973. Serials 125 – 129 had two-stage ALF pumps rated 750 gpm and

carried 300-gallon water tanks. They were 26’ long and had a wheelbase of 175”. These were the last pumpers purchased

with spoked wheels.

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This image shows the DC hoseload. The far left bed carries two 1 ½” attack lines. A removable wood divider separates the 150’ line on top from the 250’ line on the bottom. Both lines connected to a gated wye. In this photo, the 250’ line is missing. You can see how the 150’ is draped outside the grab rail to prevent snagging. The next two beds carry 600’ of supply line each. The far right bed has a 350’ 1 ½” line. There is a wagon pipe mounted ahead of the hosebed, and a single 300’ small line (3/4”) on the reel. All pumping apparatus was identical (minor differences between wagons and pumpers; accordion loads in 2 ½” beds and placement of double males and females).

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Sutphen got the contract in 1974 and delivered four 750-gpm pumpers on the Ford C-8000 chassis with 300-gallon water tanks.

This time the Department went with the Hale QLF two-stage pump. Serials 130 thru 133

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Serials 134 thru 138



Five more Sutphens were delivered in 1975. These were identical to the 1974 models.

This is E-17’s ’75 Sutphen. The wagon next to it is an ’80 Ford/Ward rehab.

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S-139



A single pumper was delivered to the Department in 1977; a Ford C-8000/ Sutphen, 750 gpm Hale QLF two-stage pump, and 300-galon water tank. This was the first diesel on the roster and was assigned as E-25’s wagon. At this time, 24 of DCFD’s 32 Engine companies were running with this type of wagon.

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Sutphen

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The 9 Ford/ Ward LaFrances delivered in 1971, such as E-28’s wagon seen here, had so severe metal fatigue and rust problem that they were phased out of service as early as 1978! With Ward LaFrance in bankruptcy, the only chance of salvaging the Department’s investment was to save the chassis and pump, and have the rigs completely rebuilt. The job was handled by Young Fire Apparatus for $20,000 per piece.

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All nine units were back in service by 1980. The rehabs sported 500-gallon water tanks, high side compartments, and transverse 1 ½” hose beds. The steps and grabs were still Ward LaFrance.

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The 175" wheelbase on these critters made life difficult for the Alley Rats - companies that often run second-due and, in DC SOPs, are committed to rear positions. These were the last of the long wheelbased pumpers.

[attachment=2466]

From 1980 to 1985 the DCFD got away from the Ford C cab and bought 27 custom wagons: 18 Hahn pumpers and 9 E\-One Hurricane chassis.

Then the Apparatus Division paint shop turned out a new paint scheme with E-7's pumper, and soon began repainting some first-line Fords, such as the Ford/ Sutphen seen here with the new door emblem.