| Fire Trucks at War |
| Updated Jan 08 |
| Word War II Navy Fire Apparatus |
| FNN-4 Navy Crash Truck |
| Your comments-Suggestions-Information Are Always Welcome Contact Us milfireguy@comcast.net |
| The FNN-0 was built in 1942 on the International 11/2 ton 4x4 chassis by American LaFrance and was equipped with four 75 pound cylinders of carbon dioxide which supplied two hose reels mounted atop of the truck body to which CO2 discharge horns were attached. A 100 gpm power take-off rotary gear pump supplied water to a single hose reel mounted over the 250 gallon water tank. In the field the water system was found to be inadequate for the aircraft emergencies the truck was expected to handle. The unit was modified to deliver pre-mixed mechanical foam by enlarging the water tank and installation of a larger Hale booster pump. the booster reel was replaced by duel 150 foot foam lines which were stored in the hose bed. The additional foam capacity was found to be of greater value than the original booster system. As modified, the foam system could deliver 100 gallons at 100 psi. About 210 of the FNN-0s were produced for the US Navy. |
FNN-O Navy Crash Truck
FNN -1 & 2 Navy Crash Trucks
FNN-1
| The FNN-1 & FNN-2 were built by John Bean on the International 1 1/2 ton 4x4 chassis, both models were basically alike except the FNN-1 built with a closed cab and the FNN-2 an open cab. The vehicle was billed as a fast moving fire truck utilizing a minimum supply of water with maximum efficiency through the use of water fog It was equipped with a 435 gallon water tank, hight pressure pump driven from a power take-off on the truck engine, twin hose reels and two high pressure fog guns. Both models wee not furnished with foam units, but many were converted for foam by the installation of a FZZ pumping unit which was installed on the left running board. The conversion added an 18 gallon foam tank, hose tray, Briggs & Stratton engine, Hale centrifugal pump and foam proportioner. Water delivery was 60 gpm at 800 psi and foam delivery was 50 gpm at 100 psi. Pump controls were located on the right side of the vehicle. The truck was equipped with a front mounted wench and carried various hand tools for crash rescue work. |
| The FNN-3 was built by John Bean on the International 1 1/2 ton open cab 4x4 chassis. The vehicle was developed by the Navy to provide a rapid response to aircraft emergencies using foam and high pressure fog to extinguish fire. It was equipped with a 435 gallon water tank and carried 30 gallons of foam. It was furnished with a built-in mechanical foam pumping unit operated from the left side of the vehicle along with the pump controls. A foam proportioner in the suction line delivered foam concentrate from the foam tank into the water entering the pump. Duel high pressure booster lines allowed for the application of fog or straight steams on the fire. Two 150 foot foam lines were carried in the hose bed. A front mounted wench was attached to the front frame and various tools for crash emergencies were carried. Attached to the right side of the truck was a 12 foot folding ladder. |
FFN-3 Navy Crash Truck
| The FNN-4 was a self-contained mobile unit of specialized design; it utilized refrigerated carbon dixoide under low pressure for mass discharge, and a supplementary foam supply for use in combination with the CO2 or alone. It was built by the Cardox Corporation on the Sterling 6x6 chassis and powered by a Waukesha engine. When fully loaded the truck weighted 40,600 pounds. Carbon Dioxide capacity was 6,000 pounds. CO2 discharge was controlled from the cab through nozzles placed on the top boom, a front boom, a front ground sweep, two 100 foot playpipe hose lines and two bayonet hose lines. At its maximum rate of delivery, the entire 6,000 pounds of CO2 could be discharged on 60 seconds. A 300 gallon pressurized foam tank supplied mechanical foam solution when needed. One foam gun was mounted on each boom and four foam nozzles were placed in the ground sweep bar. In addition, there were foam lines mounted in trays over the rear wheels with combination spray and straight stream nozzles. Rates of foam discharge were, boom nozzle 20 gpm, front boom 35 gpm, ground sweeps 24 gpm each and handlines 30 gpm. |
| FNN-5 Navy Crash Truck |
| The FNN-5 was built on the International 6x6 chassis by the Fire Appliance Company and Maxim Motor Trucks during WWII. The truck was equipped with Hale 500 gpm pump powered by a Chrysler engine, 800 gallons of water and 80 gallons of foam. Pump controls were located both in the cab and on the left side of the vehicle. A manually operated turret nozzle with 3 foam discharge nozzles was mounted over the trucks cab. Six 20 gpm ground sweep nozzles were mounted below the front bumper and controlled from the drivers position in the cab. Two 100 foot foam handlines were located in the hose bed of the truck. |
Photo from Frontier Productions
| Kiddie Crash Truck |
| This crash truck did not fall within the Navy's FNN series but was used during WWII. Manufactured by Kiddie between 1939-41 on the White and GMC 6x6 chassis, the rig carried 750 pounds of CO2 which was expelled from two hand lines located on reels just behind the cab. The truck was also equipped with a small capacity PTO pump and 150 gallons of water which supplied a hose reel carrying 150 feet of 1 in booster hose. Numerous hand held fire extinguishers were also carried along with ladders and rescue tools. |
| 1940s International-Darley |
| Here is a rig that we know nothing about, except that it was built by Darley on a International 2 1/2 ton 6x6 chassis. The images we have were scanned on a copy machine so it lacks much detail. Looks like the truck has 4 high pressure hose reels as we can see Hardie type nozzles on each reel. If you can provide more info on this great looking Navy rig please contact us. |
| Another great looking Navy fire truck from WWII is this 1943 GM CCKW-American LaFrance. The fire truck body mounted in the cargo bed carried 250 gallons of water and was equipped with a 500 gpm skid pump mounted midship on the trucks 6x6 chassis. Duel booster reels each carried 150 feet of 1 inch hose. A mechanical foam maker can be seen on the tailboard of the rig and the hose bed could carry 1,200 feet of 2 1/2 in hose. |
| 1943 GM CCKW-American LaFrance |
| Looking for info on this rig, the image was scanned from a Navy Bureau of Yards & Docks booklet. Built on a International chassis the body may have been manufactured by the Central Fire Truck Company. It was equipped with 500 gpm centrifugal pump mounted midship in the fire body which was driven from a power take-off. The truck carried 200 gallons of water, booster reels, ladders and other fire fighting equipment. |
International-Central ?
1934 Pirsch Rail Fire Engine
| 1934 Pirsch Rail Fire Engine that served at the Navy's Lualualei Ammo Depot in Oahu, Hawaii. Rig was equipped with a 500 gpm pump and carried 150 gallons of water. |
| 1941 Pirsch Rail Fire Engine |
| 1941 Pirsch Model 21 Rail Fire Engine that served at the Naval Ammo Depot, Hawthorne, NV. The rig was equipped with a 500 gpm pump and carried 150 gallons of water. |
| This page is dedicated to Raoul Denton, friend, fire fighter, fire buff and military fire apparatus historian extraordinaire who passed away in January 2008. |
| 1944 Studebaker-Seagrave |
| 1944 Studebaker-Seagrave that served at the Naval Hospital, Astoria, OR. Rig was equipped with a 150 gpm pump and carried 500 gallons of water. |
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