[quote name='biotelbob' post='153565' date='Oct 4 2007, 10:49 ']Once, I went by Sta. 3 and they were driving this reserve 1953 ALF, 100 ft while their regular Truck was in the shop.[/quote]
Could that possibly be Reg. No. L-5322, a 1955 American LaFrance 700 Series 85-foot Aerial? It looks to be newer than a 1953, and I can't find any listings for a 1953 Aerial (although there is a listing for a 1953 Engine).
Bob, do you have any pictures of the ALF 700 Engines that Beaumont had?
[quote name='1949ALF' post='153583' date='Oct 4 2007, 14:01 ']Could that possibly be Reg. No. L-5322, a 1955 American LaFrance 700 Series 85-foot Aerial? It looks to be newer than a 1953, and I can't find any listings for a 1953 Aerial (although there is a listing for a 1953 Engine).
Bob, do you have any pictures of the ALF 700 Engines that Beaumont had?
Thanks![/quote]
That Truck is the only 700 series of Beaumont's that I was able to get. Thanks for the corrections on the truck's spec. I assumed it was a 100 footer due to the 4 section ladder. Don't know how I acquired the year 1953. That 700 series engine(s) you mentioned I saw when I was growing up in Beaumont. Station 4 (in my neighborhood) ran one of them or the only one. By the time I started to photograph rigs, I couldn't find it anywhere unfortunately, and no one I talked to new anything about it or what became of it. I can tell you it was an open cab but they put one of those riot canopies similar to what the FDNY put on their app. back in the 60's when there was the riot threat. I think Beaumont did it for the comfort of the crew however. Duane Troxel might have gotten a shot of it. I'm wanting to try to contact Steve Skaar to see. Also, the references you have with the ALF listings, is that on the internet somewhere where anyone can access it? I'd like to check it out. Thanks again, Robert.
[quote name='1949ALF' post='153583' date='Oct 4 2007, 14:01 ']Could that possibly be Reg. No. L-5322, a 1955 American LaFrance 700 Series 85-foot Aerial? It looks to be newer than a 1953, and I can't find any listings for a 1953 Aerial (although there is a listing for a 1953 Engine).
Bob, do you have any pictures of the ALF 700 Engines that Beaumont had?
Thanks![/quote]
ALF49,
I wasn't able to check the number, but I think you have it right. It happens I was in the same building with this rig today. It is in the collection of the Lone Star Fire Museum in Houston, Texas. I just talked to Chuck Buschardt at the LSFM and he confirmed it was a 1955 model (left the factory 10-28-55) and that Beaumont also had a 1953 ALF 700 pumper. Ken Paradowski who I mention often as scanning and archiving Chuck Buschardt's photos, has done much of the restoration work on this x-Beaumont rig. The reels have been taken off the sides. The truck is in pretty good shape. I'll try to post a shot or two of it in its current status when I get back to Ohio. Great to see a shot of it in service.
[quote name='biotelbob' post='153750' date='Oct 5 2007, 08:37 ']That Truck is the only 700 series of Beaumont's that I was able to get. Thanks for the corrections on the truck's spec. I assumed it was a 100 footer due to the 4 section ladder. Don't know how I acquired the year 1953. That 700 series engine(s) you mentioned I saw when I was growing up in Beaumont. Station 4 (in my neighborhood) ran one of them or the only one. By the time I started to photograph rigs, I couldn't find it anywhere unfortunately, and no one I talked to new anything about it or what became of it. I can tell you it was an open cab but they put one of those riot canopies similar to what the FDNY put on their app. back in the 60's when there was the riot threat. I think Beaumont did it for the comfort of the crew however. Duane Troxel might have gotten a shot of it. I'm wanting to try to contact Steve Skaar to see. Also, the references you have with the ALF listings, is that on the internet somewhere where anyone can access it? I'd like to check it out. Thanks again, Robert.[/quote]
Chuck checked "The List" and found only 2 700 series listed for Beamont, the '53 engine and 1955 truck. The list is from factory records and was compiled by John Peckham. Chuck B. thinks Matt Lee of Plymouth, Mich might have copies. He is probaly listed in the SPAAMFAA Directory. I don't think it's available online.
[quote name='jgohio' post='154139' date='Oct 6 2007, 23:15 ']I wasn't able to check the number, but I think you have it right. It happens I was in the same building with this rig today. It is in the collection of the Lone Star Fire Museum in Houston, Texas. I just talked to Chuck Buschardt at the LSFM and he confirmed it was a 1955 model (left the factory 10-28-55) and that Beaumont also had a 1953 ALF 700 pumper. Ken Paradowski who I mention often as scanning and archiving Chuck Buschardt's photos, has done much of the restoration work on this x-Beaumont rig. The reels have been taken off the sides. The truck is in pretty good shape. I'll try to post a shot or two of it in its current status when I get back to Ohio. Great to see a shot of it in service.[/quote]
I had no idea that was the one Chuck has now. Of course, I haven't talked to him for quite some time. The last time we were at his place was during the SPAAMFAA Nationals in 2005. Now that you've mentioned it, I might have a picture of that truck. I'll have to check. I'd love to see more pictures of it, though.
Here's the information for at least four ALF 700s that were delivered to Beaumont, Texas: