Light-alloy Water Tender Weighs 4i Tons
Page 41
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
ANOTABLE example of light-alloy construction is afforded by the :ommer water -tender now in service with -the Evesham division of the Worcester City and County Fire Brigade. One of several constructed by :armichael and Sons (Worcester), Ltd., The Butts, Worcester, it was designed and built with the co-operation of the Northern Aluminium Co., Ltd., using
Noral sheet and extrusions. Unladen weight of the complete vehicle is at tons and the laden weight, complete with crew, is just under 71 tons.
Based on the Commer QX underfloorengined chassis, the tender has a lightalloy 400-gallon tank mounted amidships. This is a welded structure secured to extruded cross-bearer channels fixed
direct to the chassis frame. A 500 g.p.m. pump is mounted behind the tank.
A crew of four is accommodated in a separate compartment behind the cab. Beneath this compartment are the fuel tank and tool kit, and behind it is a locker containing radio equipment. The cab is built up of top-hat-section entrails and roof sticks, and the door and door-slam pillars employ a special extruded section. The bulkhead is of aluminium sheet on angle-section framing. Two sets of breathing apparatus are carried on the bulkhead.
Double-skinned doors are provided for the side lockers, the rear off-side one containing a light, portable pump. A reel for 180 ft. of hose is carried in an open locker high on the off side. Wet hose can be accommodated on the flat recessed roof after use.
Pump controls and ducts for the suction hose are arranged at the rear of the body, extension ladders being carried on the roof. Modified versions of the tender, one with the pump mounted amidships and another carrying a wheeled escape, are under development