American Fire Apparatus

[Caveman]

American Fire Apparatus
1946 Dodge American with an American Marsh pump
This photo was taken by me 1/23/2010
at her new home in East Meadow Long Island New York  
any and all info email me
E40FDNYL35@aol.com

[boardmansteve]

Parkville, what state?

[Caveman]

Pennsylvania

[START WATER]

I THINK I ASKED BEFORE  , BUT DOES ANYONE HAVE A PHOTO OR INFORMATION ON A  PAINTED WHIOTE    AT CAMP  PERRY OHIO
IT WAS THERE IN 1965   WHEN I WAS  SENT THERE WITH ARMY 530B'S  FROM PHILA TO  SUPPORT THE MATCHES . WHEN WE CAME BACK IT AND A 194??? SEAGRAVE WERE GONE    I HAVE ONE BAD PHOTO  2 X2 IN SIZE
IT LKOKS LIKE A  AMERICAN I WILL TRY AND HAVE A FRIEND POST IT

[RDW]

Caveman

Did you purchase that engine from a man in the East Berlin Adams County PA area? If so that engine ran with the Parkville Fire Company in York County PA. Parkville is now part of the Penn Twp Volunteer Fire Co in York County PA.

[Caveman]

Thanks RDW....Yes I own this fine rig now. I am trying to get all of her history. I think I have most but not dates.

When the Liberty Fire Company of East Berlin, PA purchased their 1966 American LaFrance engine, the decision was made by the membership to sell the 1946 Dodge/American Fire Apparatus engine. The Parkville Fire Company from Penn Township in Hanover purchased the Dodge.  The Parkville Fire Company loaned it to the Shrewsbury Fire Company, after Shrewsbury had a fire that destroyed their firehouse and all their equipment. The 1946 Dodge/American was returned to Parkville Fire Company. From there, the Parkville Fire Company sold her to a farmer near Manchester, PA to provide irrigation for his farm, he decided it was time to sell the engine since it wasn't being used and only taking up room in his shed. An active fireman from the Liberty Fire Company heard about this engine being up for sale and bought it back. He took it home to East Berlin and restore her. Years after he sold the engine to a private collector from Baltimore who took great care of her. On January 23, 2010 my family purchased this fine rig for me.....I think because they want to keep me out of the bars. New home is on Long Island. Right now it is being striped down for a new coat of paint and some more TLC.
any and all info on her would be GREAT....Thanks

Email me...Ray -- E40FDNYL35@aol.com

[confire]

We had 5 trucks built by American Fire Apparatus in service then I joined back in 1975. I will try to find some good pictures and post them.

This is the latest and served until a patch of black ice sent into two trees in the 1990’s.

Concord Fire Department
Elkhart Indiana
Engine 8
1973
12 cylinder Waukesha gas engine
1000 GPM Intercab pump
1000 gallon booster tank
50 gallon build-in class B foam tank
3500W generator w/ 2 500W lights and 2 cord reels
Four 1-1/2 preconnects and two 2 ½
Four 2 ½ direct tank fills 2 on the rear and 1 on each side

The truck only had 1 compartment located on the rear; nozzles, adapters and extinguishers were all mounted on the running boards. The philosophy at the time was to have all the equipment visible and easy to find not hidden behind doors.
The same thinking went into the preconnects with were exposed, a 150 ft 1 ½ and 2 ½ inch lines on each side were recessed into the body. Deployment was incredible smooth. A 200 ft foam/water line was in the crosslay. Note. Other then training, I can’t recall using any foam from that line on a fire.
All discharge valves were air activated from the pump panel including the two 3 inch tank to pump valves. Engagement of the pump was also by air at the panel.
This truck was very user friendly and packed quite the punch. You could have water on the fire quicker then the majority trucks built today.  

[wf33ret]

                                                          1968 International  / American
                                                                       750 gpm.
                                                               Fulton Fire Dept. #3
                                                                     Fulton, KY.


                                                               1951 Ford / American
                                                                       750 gpm.
                                                               Ridgely Vol. Fire Dept.
                                                                     Ridgely, MD.


                                                               Richard Adelman Photos

[lfpd75]

does anyone have any photos of Spanish Lake Missouri FPD's Front mounted custom american pumper i did look online and on their website but i need a photo of the whole truck.

[squad546]

Prince George's County, MD
Beltsville FD
1955 IHC/American
John Floyd photo

[wf33ret]

                                          Beltsville's 1955 International had the Americn Job Number
                                          1801 and was delivered in June of 1955. Notice in the color
                                          photo posted by squad 546, that the engine has been repainted
                                          as the original lettering and striping are gone. Also the large
                                          Carpenter lights mounted on the fenders have been replaced
                                          with smaller sealed beam lights. Beltsville also had a 1950
                                          International / American Job No. 1072, it also had a 750 gpm pump.

                                                         Photos from the Lloyd collection

[squad546]

Interesting B&W photos, is that a hood ornament in the 1st one? Here's another view of the rig from a 1980 photo at the University of Maryland Fire Science program. Photographer unknown.

[wf33ret]

Interesting B&W photos, is that a hood ornament in the 1st one? Here's another view of the rig from a 1980 photo at the University of Maryland Fire Science program. Photographer unknown.

 Yes that is a hood ornament that appeared on some of American's "dressier" units. I've heard it refered to as a cormorant.

[station32]

Bob & Steve,

On Saturday the 18th an era ended in the Knoxville VFD, the 1972 Diamond Reo was sold at auction after being replaced by a much quieter and far less stylish Freightliner Tanker. On a happier note the truck was saved from the shredder by a very narrow margin.... P.s. Its a much fun to drive as it looks like.

[brucobuff]

                                          Beltsville's 1955 International had the Americn Job Number
                                          1801 and was delivered in June of 1955. Notice in the color
                                          photo posted by squad 546, that the engine has been repainted
                                          as the original lettering and striping are gone. Also the large
                                          Carpenter lights mounted on the fenders have been replaced
                                          with smaller sealed beam lights. Beltsville also had a 1950
                                          International / American Job No. 1072, it also had a 750 gpm pump.

                                                         Photos from the Lloyd collection

Here is an in-service B&W from the John Floyd collection, this rig was donated to the Uof MD. in 1970, it was restored in 1993 by the Collins family of Beltsville.