1955 Bedford S.B. Fire Engine This appliance is one of only 27 chassis's specially built to a design The chassis used was a coach chassis shortened to give only a 12ft 6ins wheelbase, most of the chassis's had bodywork built to carry a 50ft wheeled escape, but this particular appliance was built as a 'Major Pump' by Wilsden of Solihull, making it very unusual. Most of these appliances were in fact supplied to the Birmingham Fire & Ambulance Service, but this appliance was supplied new to the Works Fire Brigade at 'Fort Dunlop' in 1956 where it served until 1978. This appliance is of considerable historic importance, being built as a major pump makes this appliance unique, and is a very important appliance in the history of the British Fire Service. The original restoration was by Mr B. Land of Collumpton in Devon, however, it is now owned by Mr R.G.Evans of Skewen near Neath in South Wales. TOA 548 has just undergone a complete and extensive restoration since 1995 to its present condition, and is one of many exhibits on show with W.A.F.E.R.S. Type of chassis................................Bedford coach chassis S.B. modified |