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Retired FF with Wildland FF Agency of Calif.(CDF) Drove lots of apparatus, but never owned one. I am currently working on one of CDF's first agency build-ups. It is '35 Chevy 1 1/2 ton Express. They apparently purchased 5 from GM and sent out the Ranger Units for build-up. Mine was built in a little town of Mariposa, CA near Yosemite. It has a 300 gal tank, hose reel on top for two hundred feet of 1" hard line. A Viking 250 GPM mid-ship off of the PTO was powered by the in line 6 cyl truck motor. It has 2 1 1/2" discharges, 3 sections of 2" hard suction hanging off bed just above rear fender. Came equiped with 4 Indian back pumps,hand tools (DB axes, 4 Barron Tools, 4 McLeods, 2 Forester back fire torches, 4 one gal galvenized canteens covered with canvas and misc. hose appliances). Tools were stored in metal tool boxes which made up seats for up to 6 Fire Fighters.
My service started in '61 and ended in 2001. Started like most as a FF grunt and went out the door as a Battalion Chief.
The old '35 is in the album.

Chief John,

Very cool truck! Looks like you're doing an excellent job on the restoration. Fun to imagine 5 or 6 "fire grunts" sitting in the back, on their way up the mountain to fight a wild fire. Very noble.

I'm struggling with this on my '51: What are you going to do about the mirrors? Someone along the way put West Coast mirrors on mine, and, as much as I love them, I may remove them as "un-original", since I've still got the original mirror brackets on the cowel. Have you decided about that?

-Michael

John Boy Love your truck - Keep up the beautiful work on it . Mike -ditch the west coast mirrors I like the look of the stock ones and they clutter up the clean look of the door and it's lettering/decals . ED H

Mike
When I got the old 35 home it had a spot lite thru the drivers door, turn signals front and rear, reflectors, mirrors on both sides. I have several pictures from the past which show these as add-ons. I am just going to keep it the same condition as when my Dad drove it in 37. It is more sentimental than have to have it stock.
I am in agrement with Oz in that your mirrors overpower your rig and the original stuff would be better.

The fire "grunts" which road on the back of this rig, ALL retired from the same outfit. Those that are left, can't wait to see her back in action.

Oz
Is your Fire Rig from a local agency? If so, are there any "fire eaters" around that may have some history on the old girl?

JB - From what little I have found out about the truck is that there is ( so far ) little to no info out there other than where it came from . From what I was told it was of a local agency construction or built buy a state ( Ohio ) agency for the local RFD . That is all the last owner some what / kind of knew . After fiding out all the little/not so little things that were left out of the ebay listing and my short time visiting with him when I got it - I would take anything he said with a block of salt . When I have some more time to devote to it I will chase down the Real story and find any old timers if any are still around . ED H

John,

Do some departments just not care about what happens to their old apparatus? I sent a letter to the Seymour, ILL VFD asking for any info or pics on my truck and didn't get any response. I may try again, though.

V/R
John

my local vfd don't really care. I watched a 5? GMC 2-ton truck that was complete and I believe could have ran go to the crusher and a 47 Chevy that was in really good shape get sold for parts. both were sold for less than $400 (I bought a few parts off of both just because)

John
When an agency is dealing with near 1000 rigs and their replacement cycle is 5% per year, the replaced appraturs is taken out of service it is generally sold to a local agency. Once CDF has sold it, the appratuc is lost.
We have just recently got enough interest by some of us old farts to creat a museum for any of our antiquties. Apparatus are just a piece of it. I have been asked if I want to donate the old '35. This will be a tuff decision!!! Wanted to keep in the family as it was my fathers first rig.
It is my opinion that some agencies lose contact with their appratus because of the passing of those who cared.
This is the main reason I am so interested and excited about this site.

It has always shocked me how some fire fighters and departments could be so callous as to not care about their equipment. I guess, to some people, it is "just a job", and the trucks are "just tools".

Funny to think I consider the job and truck more noble than they do . . .

There are many, of course, firemen and departments that are crazy about their equipment, as well, and display a lot of pride in the old stuff. It's great to have some retired firefighter come up to you and your truck with a big smile on their face and start telling stories.

-Michael

Michael

I share the same thoughts, it is amazing to talk to those folks left that worked in the 40's and 50's and have them share some of their fire fighting life experiences. They are the ones responsible for the early history and those of us left are responsible for passing it along. Fire apparatus is the one physical piece of evidence that we can leave to those that want to see and learn more about the tradition.
I am driven to preserve what I can get my hands on to preserve.
We "bolters" have so much in common. It matters little if our interests are in the fire stuff, COE, dually's, 1 ton, 2 ton, etc. We just need to support each others interests, that will keep the bond strong.
Go Bolters@###!

John Boy,

Thanks for "getting it." Guys like you are why we do this site.

John

John Boy.

You state; We "bolters" have so much in common. It matters little if our interest are in the fire stuff etc.
I agree wholeheartedly.
Problem is....I started out with a 1/2 ton A.D. Now I want a COE and a 'Firebolt' to add to my collection!
These old fire trucks are amazing,I just couldn't justify/afford to own one.

My wife would kill me!

Jock

Jock
Since you are a fellow 1950 AD man and because there aren't any '50 Firebolts in Scotland - I make you the "Honorary" Co-owner of my 1950 AD Firebolt . That also makes you the Assistant Fire Chief of the ( Wizard of ) " OZ Volunteer Fire Brigade " . You will need to PM me your address so that I can send you the Offical pens / calender and t-shirt (when they get done). Then you can be the Offical representitive of the " Firefighting Flying Monkeys of OZ " across the pond . "O.V.F.B" now has a branch office in Scotland - OH YA ! That is if you accept the Dubious Honor of course. ED H

Jock
I don't see a problem with wanting a COE AND a FIREBOLT. Like OZ has said, you can be a co-owner with his Firebolt and when mine is on the road, I can sign you up as part of my operation. That way you can be a Firebolter vicariously until one comes available in Scotland.

Jock

Be careful! It may be a trap!!! The Oz Vol. Fire Brigade may have a lot of hose that needs to be rolled up or something... Virtually rolling hose can be a real chore.


John

John - Of course it's a trap/scam . I might milk a few euros or maybe some gold pieces-of-eight out of a scotsman for some repaires for the old beastie - him not knowing me and all. But now he's been forwarned of my dastardly sneeky nature . May the flees of a thousand flying monkeys infest your firebolts fuel system and your bell ( when you get one ) ring Dull .
P.S. Send hose - lots and lots of ( 5" hard suction ) hose !
Ed the not so sneeky

Firstly Ed....Trying to get money from a Scot! There's more chance of Hell freezing!

The reason we wear sporrans,is because if we get mugged we might as well enjoy it!

It would indeed be an honour,however dubious to be made an Assistant fire Chief!
Do I get to wear the big Helmet and boots too?

John... it might be an idea to invest in a good fuel filter to catch all those pesky fleas! (I'm starting to itch just typing this! )


I've only ever seen one American fire tender here,and it's a 60's F*rd!,it's based at Prestwick Airport and is still in use as a water bowser.
Even if there was any Stovebolt fire equipment here,our delightful climate would've killed them off long ago!

Jockbolter
Don't worry - I know better than to try and pry any funds from the hands of a Scotsman . Yes there is a helmet involved ( now I have to track one down and repaint and re- Shield it for you ) . You can see the Official O.V.F.B. gear HERE PM me your address in Merry Old Scotland and I can send ( when availiable ) the shirt / pens/calender/ ect.. also I will need your head/hat ( and shirt ) size so I can track down the proper helmet for you. Enjoy being a Honorary Firebolt co-owner and [censored]. Fire Chief of the Scottish branch of the O.V.F.B.

Jock,

One of my lusts is an "appliance" from Great Britain. I'm thinking a 1930s-ish Dennis or Merryweather, with the rear-mounted Coventry pump, with the large-wheeled "escape" mounted above! Now THAT would turn heads!!!

Just start poking around in the local fire halls . . . sooner or later a truck will come to light.

As for the "wife" issue; I've got that figured out: I'll be co-owner with you - that way, when MY wife complains, I can say YOU'RE the owner, and when YOUR wife complains, you can say I'M the owner.

Of course, our wives are no doubt too clever for this, but heck, it's worth a shot, isn't it?!

-Michael

Hi Mike,next time I visit the 'Big smoke' (Glasgow)
I'll try and get into the Transport Museum.
If my memory serves me correctly,they have a few Appliances there. I run off some pics for you.

I overheard 2 elderly ladies a few years back... On seeing a Fire tender racing to a 'shout'. One said to the other,isn't it nice the firemen name their engines such as Guy and Dennis!
I'll need to get this custom thing out my system before I tackle a 'real' resto!
You're right..our wives are way too clever!

Jock.