Vehicle History

  OOO 280M was purchased new in 1973 by Essex County Fire Brigade and stationed at Hawkwell Retained Fire Station for all its service until retirement from front line action in 1986. It was then purchased by the then Station Crew by competitive auction and preserved in full operational condition.

  This vehicle is a rare type of fire appliaance. It is compact, being only 7' wide as opposed to the conventional 7'6", but still has the same carrying capacity.

  The vehicle is powered by a 4.2 Jaguar-built petrol engine, originally designed for the scorpion tank, coupled to a 5-speed Turner gearbox and capable of rapid acceleration to over 80mph, but with the penalty of achieving only 3mpg.*

  * (mpg) = miles per gallon.

  Fire fighting equipment includes a 400 gallon water tank and a Godvia UMPX 2-stage multi-pressure pump capable of producing high pressure hose reals to 600psi.

  It gave admirable service during its life, including the hot summer and drought of 1976 when it worked almost day and night attending fires throughout Essex, Epping Forest and East London. It was also one of the first appliances to attend the Southend Pier fire in 1976.

  Now that you have got a good idea of the life of the fire engine , nows the chance to go out in it, now that is what you call arrive in style.....