Fordson 7V Escape Carrying Unit

First Registered: 6 November 1941

Past History: New to the National Fire Service, and passed to East Sussex Fire Brigade in April 1948. It was stationed in Uckfield Keld Avenue Fire Station in the 1950s. It was then sold to a company in Portslade in 1965, and somewhere along the line it was painted sky blue, presumably as part of some works fire brigade. By the 1980’s is was in near scrap condition, but was restored and painted grey by Alan Patmore, who owned it for around 25 years. We bought it in 2011.

Owned: David Moore

Work to be Done This Winter:

  • Does not run well – has a tendency to overheat if pushed. Spits oil from filler cap. Head gasket(s?) failing – water gets into the oil. Do we remove the sump and big ends to inspect the pistons?
  • A couple of teeth missing from first gear.
  • Some locker doors loose.
  • Sort out the locking pins in the wheeled escape extending lever
  • Clean and grease the extensions on the escape
  • Renew the trip cable to the ladder pawl
  • De-rust and paint chassis

no images were found

  • Air Raid On the Home Front at Rufford Abbey 26-27 Sept 2015 September 21, 2015
    People are going about their business – police arresting spivs, civilians coming and going. There is a special event on in Rufford Abbey that a lot of people are present at. The air raid siren sounds, and people look round for the approaching bombers. Civilians are ushered into the shelters. Perhaps a few into the undercroft, ...
  • Newark Emergency Services Heritage Show 4-5 July July 1, 2015
    We are down to do a Wartime NFS display at 12:00 and a Cold War AFS display at 15:30 on Saturday, but on Sunday the times are AFS at 10:00 and NFS immediately following at 10:40. We also hope to take part in the vehicle parade (11:10 Sat, 15:00 Sun) and put our TL in ...
  • Danger UXB May 8, 2015
    Just started watching the DVDs of the 1970s TV series, “Danger UXB”, and saw a fire engine. Got very excited when I saw what it was, and even more so when I saw the registration. You can see Episode 2 here (it’s about 11 minutes in). Here are a few stills…
  • Training session on Fordson Escape and Turntable Ladder March 16, 2015
    A group of 9 of us met to train on the Wheeled Escape and the Turntable Ladder. We wanted to get to be as competent and safe with the Escape as we are with the TL, and to practice rescue techniques using a Neil Robertson stretcher. A video of what we achieved can be seen here, ...
  • The Pump Escape in service in the 1950s March 15, 2015
    Following on from the photo from Bruce Hoad showing GGN802 at Uckfield Fire Station in East Sussex, we were delighted to hear from Guy Bowes  who is an archivist for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and sent us these photos from the same day in the 1950s.
  • Papplewick Pumping Station this weekend 17 Oct 14 October 17, 2014
    Just a short note to say that we are taking the K2 with a pump, the Mobile Canteen and the Turntable Ladder. Additionally, we may take the Pump Escape on Sunday if there is any prospect of doing some training with the escape (as Papplewick is one of very few locations where we can get ...
  • Photos of Air Raid at Rufford, Sept 2014 October 14, 2014
    We have just received a report from the ARP wardens as follows: At around 2:20pm we received word from our colleagues in Leicester that a doodlebug had passed overhead, and was approaching us. At 400mph, it would be with us in around 10 minutes. We scoured the skies, and sounded the alarm. We heard it approach, ...
  • Rufford Abbey Air Raid timeline September 26, 2014
    Important note for all participants: Briefing at 10:30 in the Turning Circle (Saturday) Start at 2:30 (Both Days) Siren is start of scenario. End of siren is cue for start of V1 approach sound. ARPs look to the sky, and point to the approaching bomb. Try to all look in the same direction! Evacuees Uninjured evacuees come out as directed by ...
  • Air Raid at Woodhall Spa July 21, 2014
    Somehow the Germans got wind of an important visitor to Woodhall Spa over the weekend of 19th and 20th July 1940, and mounted a hit-and-run air raid on the Golf Hotel where the VIP was expected. A lone bomber passed over a few times, dropping a mixture of High Explosives and Incendiary bombs. Luckily, the HE ...
  • Fordson 7V ‘GGN802’ post-war history discovered October 11, 2013
    I recently had a call from Bruce Hoad, a firefighter with East Sussex Fire and Rescue saying he had seen a photograph of our Pump Escape at Uckfield Fire Station in the 1950s.     A bit more research led him to a post-war history of Uckfield Fire Brigade on Uckfield News. There is also some wartime history ...

Workshop and Restoration

no images were found

Manual of Firemanship

2015

  • 21/09 - Air Raid On the Home Front at Rufford Abbey 26-27 Sept 2015
    People are going about their business – police arresting spivs, civilians coming and going. There is a special event on in Rufford Abbey that a lot of people are present at. The air raid siren sounds, and people look round … Continue reading →
  • 01/07 - Newark Emergency Services Heritage Show 4-5 July
    We are down to do a Wartime NFS display at 12:00 and a Cold War AFS display at 15:30 on Saturday, but on Sunday the times are AFS at 10:00 and NFS immediately following at 10:40. We also hope to … Continue reading →
  • 08/05 - Danger UXB
    Just started watching the DVDs of the 1970s TV series, “Danger UXB”, and saw a fire engine. Got very excited when I saw what it was, and even more so when I saw the registration. You can see Episode 2 here (it’s … Continue reading →
  • 16/03 - Training session on Fordson Escape and Turntable Ladder
    A group of 9 of us met to train on the Wheeled Escape and the Turntable Ladder. We wanted to get to be as competent and safe with the Escape as we are with the TL, and to practice rescue … Continue reading →
  • 15/03 - The Pump Escape in service in the 1950s
    Following on from the photo from Bruce Hoad showing GGN802 at Uckfield Fire Station in East Sussex, we were delighted to hear from Guy Bowes  who is an archivist for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and sent us these … Continue reading →

2014

  • 17/10 - Papplewick Pumping Station this weekend 17 Oct 14
    Just a short note to say that we are taking the K2 with a pump, the Mobile Canteen and the Turntable Ladder. Additionally, we may take the Pump Escape on Sunday if there is any prospect of doing some training … Continue reading →
  • 14/10 - Photos of Air Raid at Rufford, Sept 2014
    We have just received a report from the ARP wardens as follows: At around 2:20pm we received word from our colleagues in Leicester that a doodlebug had passed overhead, and was approaching us. At 400mph, it would be with us … Continue reading →
  • 26/09 - Rufford Abbey Air Raid timeline
    Important note for all participants: Briefing at 10:30 in the Turning Circle (Saturday) Start at 2:30 (Both Days) Siren is start of scenario. End of siren is cue for start of V1 approach sound. ARPs look to the sky, and … Continue reading →
  • 21/07 - Air Raid at Woodhall Spa
    Somehow the Germans got wind of an important visitor to Woodhall Spa over the weekend of 19th and 20th July 1940, and mounted a hit-and-run air raid on the Golf Hotel where the VIP was expected. A lone bomber passed … Continue reading →

2013

  • 11/10 - Fordson 7V ‘GGN802’ post-war history discovered
    I recently had a call from Bruce Hoad, a firefighter with East Sussex Fire and Rescue saying he had seen a photograph of our Pump Escape at Uckfield Fire Station in the 1950s.     A bit more research led … Continue reading →
  • 02/10 - Status of the equipment – planned winter work
    Vehicles Austin K2 ATV – Runs well, but would benefit from some cosmetics, such as a complete repaint (!), attention to LH front wing, rear trim strip. Austin K4 TL – Runs well, but fuel tank send unit is out … Continue reading →
  • 11/09 - Photos of Rufford Abbey by Catriona Sutcliffe
    Catriona Sutcliffe and Norman Brown took these photos. Thank you both.
  • 02/09 - Rufford Air Raid video
    You can watch the full air raid here (low res) or here (medium res). Ian Beck has posted another video here.
  • 31/08 - Successful Air Raid at Rufford
    We had a successful air raid today. Everything worked out, after sorting a teething problem with the Turntable Ladder in the morning. We involved lots of other re-enactors, and the casualties looked great. More photos coming soon.
  • 21/08 - Air Raid at Rufford Abbey 31 Aug-1 Sept
    It is now less than 2 weeks to go, and we are starting to make plans for the air raid. We are looking for people to take part – we all had such a good time both last year, and … Continue reading →
  • 06/08 - Woodhall Spa – our best event yet!
    Back from an absolutely phenomenal weekend at Woodhall Spa. We did an air raid both days early in the afternoon. On Saturday, the sirens sounded, and the bombers came overhead. Bombs fell on the hotel and the ARP wardens were … Continue reading →
  • 01/08 - Woodhall Spa this weekend 3-4 Aug
    This is going to be our biggest event yet. It will be the first and possibly only event with all three WW2 appliances out. It will be the maiden trip for our new NFS mobile canteen. A major event at … Continue reading →
  • 07/07 - Workshop News – Fordson Repaired
    On the way to Derby Fire Show, the Fordson broke down. A catastrophic loss of power, and mechanical noises from deep within the engine that made me fear the worst. I was seriously looking at a full engine rebuild sooner … Continue reading →
  • 10/06 - Air raids on Quorn station – disaster averted
    The National Fire Service successfully responded to the Air Raids over Quorn Station on the Great Central main line over the weekend, putting out fires in the railway goods yard caused by a stick of HE bombs dropped by a … Continue reading →
  • 13/04 - Fordson has a new windscreen
    I had some steel channel made, and then silver-soldered the corners to make a frame. A piano hinge was soldered along the top, and a new laminated windscreen was made, and fitted today. The original opening restrainers are fitted onto … Continue reading →
  • 16/03 - Fordson Barton Pump and Robertson Rescue Stretcher tested
    Over the last few days, John and I have been doing a lot of work at the Farm. The big push to get the Barton Pump running before John returns to sea on Monday. We stripped down, cleaned, greased, repacked, … Continue reading →
  • 06/01 - Fordson Barton Pump restoration
    The front-mounted Barton Pump has been stripped down, in most places, to bare metal, and repainted. The difference between thick loads of paint, and a fresh coat is incredible. It really does look brand new. I have started to re-assemble … Continue reading →

2012

  • 27/12 - Fordson workshop news
    The Fordson is having some major surgery to sort out a number of major problems: overheating, flat battery, poor starting, and then recommissioning the Barton pump. Progress so far: The radiator has been flushed, and an electric fan fitted The … Continue reading →
  • 16/12 - Barton American Fire Company Brochure for front-mounted pump
    As we are restoring the Barton front-mounted pump on the Fordson, with the aim of making it work in time for next season, a period brochure of the pump from the Barton American Fire Company is going to be rather … Continue reading →
  • 05/10 - The Winter Work on the Fordson has begun
    For some time now, we have wanted to get the pump working on the Fordson, but there have always been other priorities. Additionally, we have had starting problems (6V starter and 6V dynamo on a 12V system), and overheating problems … Continue reading →
  • 14/09 - More photos and a video of the Air Raid at Rufford Abbey
    Mick Hill has just sent in a selection of his photos, and James walker has edited his video. Mick’s full set of photos is available here, with a special set on the 25 pounder here. James’ video is here. It … Continue reading →
  • 03/09 - The Air Raid on Rufford Abbey, 1-2 September 2012
    The Scenario The ARP wardens were relaxing in their posts when the alert came in. The air raid sirens sounded – five in all around the site, and already the crowd had gathered. You could hear the approaching drone of … Continue reading →
  • 20/08 - RAF Cranwell Fly-in Day
    The NFS turned out with three vehicles to RAF Cranwell for their Flying Club Fly-in Day in aid to the Air Ambulance. We were privileged to be invited to arrive on the Saturday afternoon, so we could see one of … Continue reading →
  • 19/08 - New photos of Crich
    Our friendly photographer, Tim Rogers, has just sent in these photos.
  • 16/08 - The NFS saves the pub in Crich from an Air Raid
    The air raid at Crich Tramway Museum last Saturday: The NFS turn out to an air raid at Crich A wonderful video by James and Karina.
  • 14/08 - Sunday at Crich
    Well, what d’you know? The Germans bombed the same pub again the very next day at the same time! Luckily for the pub, the National Fire Service was on full alert at their base just a few hundred yards up the road, … Continue reading →
  • 11/08 - Crich 1940s today
    We had an early start today to get all the vehicles to Crich Tramway Museum in time to get the water supply prepared before the museum opened to the public at 10am. The main event was a scenario just after … Continue reading →
  • 26/06 - Nice photos of Rufford last year
    I have just found these:  Incendiary lands and ARP injured. (5 photos) ARP warden injured, and firemen arrive. (20 photos) These are photos of our arena scenario, where we had smoke from an ‘incendiary bomb’, which subsequently exploded, injuring an … Continue reading →
  • 24/04 - Welland entries
    This year, we are again restricted to a limited space, so I will be looking for a good diversity of entries. As ever, I do need a lot of manpower to put on a good display, so if you would … Continue reading →

2011

  • 23/10 - Papplewick 1940s event
    Although this was in October, we had almost summer weather. On Saturday, we had the K2 and Dennis, and the Turntable Ladder. Saturday was a rather quiet day, and gave us the chance to try things out. We did a … Continue reading →
  • 02/10 - Maintenance on the Fordson 7V
    This vehicle has long suffered from a blowing head gasket. The symptoms were that under sustained load, say up a hill, bubbles would appear in the water, displacing so much that the engine would boil over. Luckily, water did not … Continue reading →
  • 03/08 - Welland 2011 report and photos
    The Welland Steam Rally is a huge event. And for our demonstrations, as with all demonstrations, we need to practice. This is the second year we have been to Welland and so there is a core of experience, however there … Continue reading →
  • 17/06 - Manual and Drill for the Fordson
    Here are some pages scanned from Book 2 of the Manual of Firemanship published during the War.
  • 12/06 - Great Central Railway, 11-12th June
    We took part in the 1940s Weekend at Quorn Station on the Great Central Railway. On the Saturday morning we took the K2 and Dennis trailer pump, followed by the Fordson Escape Carrier. Our main display on both Saturday and … Continue reading →
  • 10/04 - Getting the Fordson home
    We have recently acquired a 1941 Fordson ECU from Alan Patmore in Hertfordshire. Alan has owned it since the late 1970s, and restored it from the brink of destruction. It has a working escape ladder, (a Merryweather “War Pattern” escape) … Continue reading →
  • 10/04 - Fordson Details

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