Angus 'Firefly' Industrial Fire tender

This Series IIA fire tender is one of the very last of a batch of 12 built by Angus, shortly before the 'Firefly' mark was sold to Southampton builder HCB*. Angus had been building fire tenders under the brand name ‘Firefly’ since gaining Land Rover approval of their designs in 1962.

The body is a coach-built unit using an all-welded steel framed structure bolted to a regular Land Rover’s 109” chassis cab. The adaption carried approval by Land Rover enabling it to be sold as such. The suspension has necessarily been strengthened to accommodate the purpose for which the vehicle was destined and the spare wheel is bonnet mounted so as not to clutter the load-deck.

This vehicle was sold to The British Aluminium Company for use at its Rheola Plant at Neath, Port Talbot in South Wales. Whilst there she was sign written in a couple of contrasting forms. The vehicle is presented in our collection in the more modest of these. However below is a black and white image of her sporting a much more brash appearance while working at the Rheola site, “BACO” being a trade name used by the company.

The attention to the finishing points of detail (both at the time of build and later during restoration) are remarkable. There is a polished chrome safety rail fitted along the length of the rear side valances, chrome plated exterior locker hinges, recessed handles, and the decking and interior panelling are finished in alloy chequer plate. The vehicle can accommodate a crew of two and is beautifully finished externally in the obligatory fire-engine red.

In addition to delivering water from its own tank, this tender still carries sufficient operational pumping and filtration kit to replenish its water supply from a hydrant or open water source. The crowning glory of this proud vehicle is, of course, its wing-mounted chrome-plated electric siren with integrated flashing light. Necessary power take-offs are incorporated to drive the light alloy pumps, delivering water at the rate of 400 gallons per minute. Extensive lateral lockers are individually lit and carry the customary paraphernalia of firefighting and rescue.

Because of her endearing nature, 900 LOM is one of the most commonly exhibited vehicles in our collection both at shows and on loan to other exhibitions.

• The initials "HCB" originally came from the name “Hampshire Car Bodies”. HCB Limited was located in Tatton Southampton and was also involved in the manufacture of fire fighting vehicles. They continued to market the Firefly range for some years under the name HCD-Angus Limited. The company went on to manufacture fire tenders of all types and sizes for local authorities, industry, the military and aviation until it finally closed its doors in June 1994.