We've got an intriguing close up from a larger item – can you guess what it is?
It’s a pump appliance from our collection - a Dennis Big 4!
The Dennis ‘Big 4’ was developed in the 1930s and proved to be a popular and versatile motorised machine that was favoured abroad as well as in Britain. Its turbine pump was at the rear of the vehicle and it had two benches for the crew, which was known as the ‘Braidwood’ body. This design style, used by James Braidwood and his firefighters, was created in 1833, when appliances were still horse-drawn.
This fire engine was produced around 1939. Some variations to its design would have included a Trunnion Bar which would be fitted to the rear of the appliance. This bar provided support, allowing a 50ft wheeled escape ladder to be carried on board.