| FIRE TRUCKS AT WAR |
| Class 530 |
| The Class 530 fire truck was built on the GM CCKW, 2 1/2 ton, 6x6, chassis and the bodies were manufactured by McCabe-Powers and Central Fire Trucks. The McCabe Powers rig carried 640 gallon elliptical shaped water tank which necessitated an elevated hose bed with high body sides and a Type F, Barton-American front mounted 500 gpm centrifugal pump. To provide better truck performance the Central Fire Trucks version was equipped with a 400 gallon rectangular shaped tank with allowed a much lower hose bed and body sides. This vehicle carried a Darley, F-500, front mounted 500 gpm centrifugal pump. Both trucks were equipped with duel booster reels each carrying 150 feet of 1 in hose and a hose bed which held 600 feet of 2 1/2 in and 400 feet of 1 1/2 hose. Standard fire fighting equipment was supplied with both versions. It is unclear on just how many of the 530s were manufactured, Army records indicate that at least 25 General-Detroit units were built and delivered to Fire Fighting Platoons at Fort Lewis, WA. Photos from the Korean War era show many of the Central built trucks in operation. |
| Class 750 |
| The Class 750 fire truck was a triple combination pumping engine with a midship mounted 750 gpm pump. It was the largest pumper supplied to Army post and was the same type used by the municipal fire departments. The Class 750 was usually assigned to post having large water supplies and needing large caliber streams. The trucks were built by American LaFrance, Buffalo, Mack, Maxim, Pirsch, Ward LaFrance and Seagrave on a standard 4x2 chassis. The water tank carried 150 gals of water and 150 ft. of 1 in. hose was carried on a reel or in a basket mounted atop of the hose body. The hose body held 1200 ft. of 2 1/2 hose, It was equipped with standard fire fighting tools and was used for combating structural fires at camps, post and stations. |
| H Smith Collection |
| 1942 Maxim 750 4x2 Pumper USA 501663 |
| 1941 Seagrave |
| 1941 American LaFrance |
| 1942 Pirsch USA 501114 |
| 1941 Pirsch USA 50483 |
| 1942 Sterling-Pirsch |
| Class BF 750 |
| The Class BF 750 was a triple combination pumping engine with a midship mounted 750 gpm pump. The truck appeared in 1938 and was constructed by the U.S. Army at the Holabird Quartermaster Depot, Baltimore, MD. It was powered by a 105 HP Continental engine. The water tank held 150 gals. and 150 ft. of 1 in. hose was carried in a basket mounted over the pump. It was equipped with standard fire fighting equipment required for structural fire fighting. The hose body held 1000 ft. of 2 1/2 in. hose. |
| 1941 Holabird BF 750 USA 50401. Rig served at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD |
| BF 750 |
| 1939 Holabird BF 750 USA 50249 |
| Comments & Suggestions Are always Welcomed |
| 1944 Sterling-Pirsch USA 509023 |
| 1943 Sterling-Howe USA 502023 |
National Archives Photo
US Army Photo
Postwar CCKW-Central Fire Trucks Class 530
CCKW-McCabe Powers Class 530
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| Postwar CCKW-Howe Fire Apparatus Class 530 |
US Army Engineer School History Office
| Class 530 pictured in the Philippines, 2 May 47. Barton pump has been replaced with a Darley pump. Front spot lights and booster reels have been removed and original siren replaced. USA 508502 |
| Army firefighters instructed in the use of the Class 530 at Fort Leonard Wood, MO |
| 1946 Mack Class 750 army fire trucks under constuction at the Mack plant, Long Island City, NY USA 5011034 in forground Thanks to Jean-Michel Boniface for sending in the photo. |
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