Surrey Fire Brigade

Fire service historian and author

Roger Mardon

www.romar.org.uk

Link to Surrey Fire & Rescue Service

This breakdown lorry (134 PPK) was built in brigade workshops on a Thornycroft Nubian 6x6 chassis in 1960. The twin winch crane on a turntable at the rear of the appliance was capable of lifting 5 tons. A power winch operated from the driver's cab could haul 20 tons by means of its 200ft wire cable and could be used form the front, rear or either side of the vehicle. Other equipment included an axle ambulance, 5-ton snatch block and two 15-ton lift jacks. In its earlier years it fulfilled the role of a heavy rescue tender as well as an appliance recovery vehicle.

221 VPB was a 1961 Dennis F27 / Haydon / Magirus turntable ladder allocated to Chertsey.

This 1961 Thornycroft Nubian / Dennis hose layer, 929 SPH, was one of three similar appliances operated by Surrey. 6,000ft of rubber-lined nylon hose, carried in three bins, could be run out at speeds of up to 30mph. In addition to a 3,000gal canvas dam and equipment such as ramps, warning notices and lamps, it also carried two 360gpm light portable pumps stowed in side lockers.