27 Years of Fire-engine Production T HEproduction of fire-engines is a
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specialized branch of the commercial vehicle industry, and one in which only a few manufacturers are engaged. One of the leading concerns in this connection is Dennis Bros., Ltd., Guildford, which constructed its first fire-engine in 1908, this being supplied to the authorities at Bradford for the sum of £900. The following year the number of Dennis fire-engines that passed into service was eight, their total value being £7,217.
Some of these machines were delivered overseas, whilst two of them were supplied to the Kingston-onThames Brigade, and it is interesting to record that both are in every-day service at the present time. Earlier this year these machines were returned to the works for overhaul, when the picture which we reproduce herewith was taken. The expenditure in connection with the work involved averaged £150 apiece. It is noteworthy that, in one case, engine replacements
did not include main or big-end bearings, connecting rods, pistons, valves or camshaft and, furthermore, the wear on the crankshaft did not exceed .003 in. at any bearing, facts which not only point to soundness in design and manufacture, but also to a high standard of maintenance being observed.
It is, of course, admitted that fireengines cover only a fraction of the mileages accomplished by goods and passenger vehicles in regular use, but when one considers their pumping life and its strenuous nature, the figures are surprisingly good.
In 1910 27 Dennis fire-engines were commissioned, and for the first time the names of the London, Birmingham and Glasgow Brigades appear in the list of orders. Up to the present time, 2,018 Dennis fire-engines have been sold, their aggregate value amounting to £1,691,168. The record delivery of such machines was made in the year 1929, when no fewer than 139 fire. engines left the Guildford works of the company.
It may be added that during the past 12 years not once has the figure fallen below 80. One of the latest orders to be received is from the London Fire Brigade for 18 machines, bringing up the total supplied' to this authority to 230.