/The first Mercedes-Benz 265kW vee-10 engined 6x6 chassis to be
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imported into Britain has gone to work with Norwich Airport. It will be used as a front-line emergency fire tender. The 263A heavy-duty six-wheeler is powered by an 18.3-litre naturally-aspirated engine.
Norwich Airport's chief fire officer Ron Goose says that the six-wheeler was chosen because he thinks it will be able to meet the necessary statutory performance levels demanded throughout its full working life. Airport legislation insists, for instance, that fire tenders can accelerate from a standstill to 80kmph (50mph) in no more than 40 seconds and Mercedes claims that the 283A, weighing in with full water tanks at about 23 tonnes GVW, reached 801(mph in 36 seconds.
14.000Rx20 tyres with cross-country tread pattern, have been fitted all round and the midships-mounted transfer gearbox incorporates an extra-low (1.4:1) ratio for off-road allwheel-drive working.
A 6,820-litre water-tank and a 680-litre fire extinguishing foaming agent tank have been fitted and the two liquids are pump-mixed. Air is added to generate foam, which is then sprayed at up to 3,500 litres per minute through a Rosenhauer "monitor" unit fed by a Godiva UMPX-100A pump.
With the pump working at full power, says Mercedes, foam can be projected from 60m.