[quote name='firebuff55407' post='70238' date='Jan 23 2007, 18:00 ']Here's a photo from Duane's Collection that I don't believe Duane took. It is of DCFD Truck r operating a 1955 Pirsch 100-foot TDA, Pirsch #2213, a reserve piece in 1973 with shop #S-344.
- Unknown photographer from the Duane Troxel Collection.[/quote]
Steve - and Duane - thanks for the great photo. I believe the image is Truck 5's assigned apparatus. It came back to T5 as a reserve around 1979. I did eighteen months at T5 and drove it (if not S-344, then one identical). The lieutenant had a good ear for engine rpm's and could shift that rig without using the clutch, a lesson he imparted to me while drilling on double-clutching. The apparatus had bolted fenders, and no jacks - you HAD to take a jackknife to throw the aerial.
[quote name='firebuff55407' post='70233' date='Jan 23 2007, 17:52 ']Here's a straight on side shot of the unusual add-on cab of Engine 9's 1962 WLF 750/250. For some reason Duane could not find the serial numbers on these 1962 Wards and he only noted the series they were in (7031-7035).
- Photo by Duane Troxel.[/quote]
These WLF rigs are called FIREBRAND. The FDNY bought some in 1960... Engine 82 even used one for a while. I think FAJ had a shot of it with Dennis Smith in the Driver's seat.
Rich,
Sorry to hear you have to re-work the DC sheet... I see the Logo WITHOUT the eagle... I know what you are working on.
[quote name='firebuff55407' post='70085' date='Jan 23 2007, 00:41 ']Here's another DC 1957 Mack B 750/200 operating as a reserve that Duane shot that had been outfitted with a shop-built (or non-Mack manufactured cab).
- 1973 Photo by Duane Troxel[/quote]
Uh-oh. I think I posted some bad scoop. After seeing Steve Skaar's postings of Duane Troxels images of DC's Macks, I realized my previous post #145 identifying a Mack B model as ex-DCFD is wrong. The pumper appears to be 1000 gpm and has cabinets -not a DCFD Mack! Here's the back story: A man walks into Engine 9 one day and says "Metro has one of our old Macks testing the subway pipes." The man is an off-duty fireman, therefore, a very reliable source! The next morning I found the pumper parked in the neighborhood, took a photograph, and put it in an album. 25 years later I scan it and post it on Firepics. Sorry.
[quote name='firebuff55407' post='70084' date='Jan 23 2007, 00:37 ']dcfiremam- What year did DC start enclosing their semi-cab apparatus? Like many other US cities that enclosed their semi- and open-cab apparatus in the 60s and 70s, many of those shop-built or local fabricators came up with some fairly ugly cabs.
After shooting Baltimore apparatus during the IAFC Convention in Baltimore, Duane Troxel shot the entire Washington DC department. I just finished scanning all his DC slides from that trip. I noticed that the DCFD was able to acquire some Mack B cabs to enclose their 1957 Mack B semi-open engines. Here is Engine 29's pump, Mack #B85F-1230, DCFD shop #S-296, Duane shot with a Mack B cab.
- 1973 Photo by Duane Troxel[/quote]
DC specified enclosed cabs on wagons in 1968, and on trucks in 1970.
DCFD Engine 27 "Pump" operated one of five 1973 Ward LaFrance 750/250 pumper, WLF #9006, DCFD # S-198. I don't know if these were stock WLF front fenders in 1963 or if they were rehabbed at some time.
Great Pics! I like the backgrounds of a couple of shots too. I have shot pretty much the whole department over the past 5 years. In Duane's shot of E26 there is a large apartment building in the background. I have always wondered what used to be in that huge empty lot next to E26. There is some small rubble what looked like it souls have been a building, the shot confirmed it. The shot of E27 shows what looks like a sleepy 2 lane road with tree cover. when I shot E27 a couple of years ago it was like a 4 lane speedway out front with little tree cover. what a difference 30+ years makes!
01-24-2007, 07:52 PM (This post was last modified: 01-24-2007, 08:01 PM by dcfireman.)
[quote name='firebuff55407' post='70233' date='Jan 23 2007, 17:52 ']Here's a straight on side shot of the unusual add-on cab of Engine 9's 1962 WLF 750/250. For some reason Duane could not find the serial numbers on these 1962 Wards and he only noted the series they were in (7031-7035).
- Photo by Duane Troxel.[/quote]
The DCFD serials on the 1962 Firebrands were 192, 193, 297, 298, and 299. This indicates two were wagons and three were pumpers. Each of them had a 750 gpm Waterous CMB two-stage pump and 200-gallon water tanks.
According to Walt McCall’s book, they were powered by International Harvester engines. Hence, the IH grill. This particular piece, Engine 9’s pumper, is the one I drove as a rookie to get my FD driver’s license.
[quote name='firebuff55407' post='70306' date='Jan 23 2007, 22:12 ']DCFD Engine 27 "Pump" operated one of five 1973 Ward LaFrance 750/250 pumper, WLF #9006, DCFD # S-198. I don't know if these were stock WLF front fenders in 1963 or if they were rehabbed at some time.
-1973 Photo by Duane Troxel.[/quote]
I believe those are the stock fenders.
After the Firebrands, D.C. added five more Ward LaFrances were in 1963. Again, they had the Waterous CMB two-stage pump, but the water tank was increased to 250 gallons; Shop numbers S-194, 195, 196, 197, and 198. Shown is Engine 2’s pumper in 1975.