Attractive ensen equipped Fire-fighters
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• Two Models Based on Fordson and Austin Chassis, the Latter Intended for Use with a Dennis Trailer Pump
COR some little time Jensen Motors, Ltd., West Bromwich, has been engaged in building fire tenders and fire-engines of various types. These have incorporated Fordson chassis, but it is stated that simila‘r vehicles can be supplied based on other makes of chassis.
In a fire tender supplied to the Shifnal authorities, for instance, the chassis is an Austin of 9-ft. 3-in. wheelbase. It has a gantry to carry a telescopic ladder which is 14 ft. long when closed. Over the hose box, which occupies the middle of the vehicle, there are seats for four persons, and at the front there is room for two more, including the driver.
At the back a tow bat is provided to • suit a Dennis trailer pump. Detail equipment includes an 8-in, fire bell, a spotlight with 30 ft. of cable, and brass handrails, The complete vehicle is finished in fire-engine red, and the price ofthe body is £110.
Another Jensen fire-engine,, recently supplied to the Kidsgrove Urban Distri'a Council, is based on a Fordson 2-ton chassis and is very thoroughly equipped. Its main armament, so to. speak, is a Tangye pumping unit in which a Ford V8 engine is coupled directly to a single-stage turbo-volute pump capable of displacing 800 g.p.m. at 80 lb. per sq. in., or rather more than half that quantity at double the pressure.
Pump and engine are mounted together with their accessories on a steel channel-section sub-frame and comply with Home Office requirements, of course. There are four gunmetal outlet valves with instantaneous release half couplings and blanks with retaining chains. In suitable lockers, with special non-jamming doors, there are stored 1,000 ft. of delivery hose, and at the sides are carried four 8-ft. sections of 5i-in. suction hose, complete with couplings, copper strainer and basket.
in addition to this main equipment there is a valuable auxiliary outfit for first aid upon reaching a fire and while the large pump is being brought into operation. This incorporates a Winn pump operated by the vehicle engine and delivering water from a 40-gallon tank to a patent control, which, is mounted in a recess at a convenient height on the near side of the double cab, which affords accommodation for eight firemen.
This fire-engine on the Fordson 9-ft. 10-in. 2-ton chassis, but without one or two items, such as the first-aid hose reel, is listed at £695.