I know it's been posted many times before, but here are some more pictures of my old gray American LaFrance 700. I drove it right out of their Station # 3 in the summer of 1977, and it's been part of our family ever since. Except for the Roto-Ray and the bell, all of the equipment is like it was when it left Elmira, New York in 1947. American LaFrance designated this as a 775-PGC or "Invader." Reg. No. L-3171. It has a 492 cubic inch Auburn-Lycoming Model "G" V-12 engine, and a two-stage American LaFrance 750 GPM pump. I believe the booster tank carries 160 gallons. And it has a huge hosebed!
Like most communities, because of World War II, Marion hadn't purchased any new fire apparatus for several years. When the new engine came to town, the fire department took some time to show it off. The cigar store it's sitting in front of still exists.
Throughout its life, Marion Engine 3 (at that time) fought many big blazes. Here it is at the Wise Grocery fire in 1964 doing what it does best, moving lots of water!
As a reserve rig, Marion 3 was used mostly to transport off-duty firefighters to multiple alarm blazes. This bank fire in 1977 was its last run. You can see nearly all the equipment had been stripped off of her, and I purchased her a couple months later.
When Marion purchased my engine, it was bought without many options. I couldn't resist mounting a bell and Roto-Ray on the front steps. These two items cost me more than what I paid for the truck!!!
Here it is with a friend just after the 3rd Annual Fire Muster in Uniontown, Indiana. <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />
And here it is at the 20th Hope Heritage Days Fire Apparatus Muster. <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />
By the way, if anyone out there has any pictures of my 700 while it was still in service, or knows anyone who may have, I'd be more than happy to purchase them.
Great pictures, kid. Thanks for all of your help. <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />
Sorry about the other three pictures being smaller than usual; I had my image resizer on a different setting.
No idea who the kid in the picture is. <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blush.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />
I'm good for these random pictures, too. Here's one from August 2006 taken by my good friend Mike P. while the truck was taking in some sun and showing off to some visitors.
Let's get to the heart of the truck. <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/luxhello.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />
[quote name='1949ALF' post='89402' date='Mar 21 2007, 12:44 ']Let's get to the heart of the truck. <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/luxhello.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote]