A He-man's Fire Truck: This 1924 American LaFrance fire truck served faithfully, responding to alarms for over sixty years. It was still fully operational when it was retired. When the...

PhotoMan1929 Loc: Virginia, USA

This 1924 American LaFrance fire truck served faithfully, responding to alarms for over sixty years. It was still fully operational when it was retired. When the picture was taken it was already 36 years old. During its later years it was used mostly as a relay pumper, drawing from a hydrant and feeding two attack pumpers.

This was a real he-man's truck. Narrow, solid tires with no tread. Very quick steering, a half turn of the wheel would take you from full left to full right. Of course, no power assist. Mechanical brakes on the rear wheels only - you had to plan your stops. Just imagine driving this truck on a cold winter night with the snow and sleet in your face!

The object perched upon the top of the radiator was the temperature gauge - just a thermometer.

tk Loc: Iowa

Just a brave then as they are now. Thanks for sharing.

tk

vislp Loc: Level Pebble

PhotoMan1929 wrote:

Very quick steering, a half turn of the wheel would take you from full left to full right.

:shock:

I don't think I'd have had enough strength even in my younger days! You'd definitely want to be moving when you started turning the wheel. That does help.

Thanks for sharing it PhotoMan1929

vislp Loc: Level Pebble

Looked at it closer, is that a scan of an older photo? It's actually quite sharp and clear for an old photo if it is. Been taken well care of.

PhotoMan1929 Loc: Virginia, USA

tk wrote:

Just a brave then as they are now. Thanks for sharing.

tk

Fifty years ago they were known as "smoke-eaters." No air packs, no face-masks, just a helmet, a bunker coat and a pair of boots. The attirude was "Let's go face the dragon."

Thanks for your comment.

PhotoMan1929 Loc: Virginia, USA

vislp wrote:

PhotoMan1929 wrote:

Very quick steering, a half turn of the wheel would take you from full left to full right.

:shock:

I don't think I'd have had enough strength even in my younger days! You'd definitely want to be moving when you started turning the wheel. That does help.

Yes, it took strong arms to handle it. It was almost impossible to turn the wheels with the vehicle at rest.

vislp Loc: Level Pebble

We had an old 8N ford on the farm. Of course, no power steering on those either. We used it to get the hay to the livestock. So to keep it floating on top of the mud in the springtime we mounted some VERY large tires on the front to help keep it on top. Well, let me tell you, there was several cracked knuckles when you'd hit a hard spot and it would jerk the steering wheel right out of your hands. Luckily none of us had any broken fingers from it, but it sure wasn't from a lack of trying! LOL

PhotoMan1929 Loc: Virginia, USA

vislp wrote:

Looked at it closer, is that a scan of an older photo? It's actually quite sharp and clear for an old photo if it is. Been taken well care of.

Your observation is correct. It is a scan of an 8x10 print from my files. The original shot was made by a Rolleiflex on Plus-X film.

Thanks for the comment.

PhotoMan1929 Loc: Virginia, USA

vislp wrote:

We had an old 8N ford on the farm. Of course, no power steering on those either. We used it to get the hay to the livestock. So to keep it floating on top of the mud in the springtime we mounted some VERY large tires on the front to help keep it on top. Well, let me tell you, there was several cracked knuckles when you'd hit a hard spot and it would jerk the steering wheel right out of your hands. Luckily none of us had any broken fingers from it, but it sure wasn't from a lack of trying! LOL

Thanks for sharing your memories.

tinosa Loc: Grand Rapids Michigan

Great photo and a great truck.
Thanks for this opportunity to salute all firefighters everywhere.

"I can think of no more stirring symbol of man's humanity to man than a fire engine." ~Kurt Vonnegut

PhotoMan1929 Loc: Virginia, USA

tinosa wrote:

Great photo and a great truck.
Thanks for this opportunity to salute all firefighters everywhere.

"I can think of no more stirring symbol of man's humanity to man than a fire engine." ~Kurt Vonnegut

Fire trucks screaming through the night are a symbol of both fear and hope.

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

PhotoMan1929 wrote:

This 1924 American LaFrance fire truck served fait... (show quote)

Thank you for sharing. That is pure raw there as what they used then. Open to all the elements year round. My dept has one that they restored years ago and used it during parades only right now and currently some members of the dept are restoring one of the old dept trucks that they found abandoned in a farm field.

PhotoMan1929 Loc: Virginia, USA

Thank you for sharing. That is pure raw there as what they used then. Open to all the elements year round. My dept has one that they restored years ago and used it during parades only right now and currently some members of the dept are restoring one of the old dept trucks that they found abandoned in a farm field.[/quote]

Thanks for the comment. That truck was built back when men were MEN. It was the group born about that time who later stormed the beaches at Normandy and fought throughout the Pacific.

When properly restored, these old vehicles have great value for collectors.

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

Quite true to some antique vehicles, however, antiqure emergency vehicles such as the one shown have more value if they still operate and are unrestored. My dept studied that when they redid the last one which is Engine 36. A 1936 Ford with a Darley pump. Now they are redoing a mid 50's FWD with a Darley pump. Nice thing is Darley is right in our city so they are helping out where they can. Can't go wrong with pure American made machines like these and American pride and service. Thank You again for posting such nice history. I enjoy it.

PhotoMan1929 Loc: Virginia, USA

photo guy wrote:

Quite true to some antique vehicles, however, anti... (show quote)

I am glad your department is trying to preserve some of the old equipment. Every time we throw away something just because it is old, we are discarding part of our history.