More than three thousand of these classic cab-forward fire fighters were delivered before the last one was built in 1959. These new economy model pumpers were powered by Continental engines instead of the usual ALF V-12s. These plain-looking, discontented 700s sported painted bumpers, a cut-down windshield header, cab doors with no side glass and compartmented rear fenders. In 1955, the company introduced a trio of new economy-model 700 Series pumpers named the Ranger, Crusader and Protector. With continuous improvements, the spectacularly successful 700 Series remained in production for 12 years.
By the end of 1950, American LaFrance had delivered more than 1400 of these cab-forward wonders. The first production 700 Series fire engines were delivered to fire departments in March of 1947. Special hose and booster cars, rescue and floodlight cars, airfoam pumpers and 4x4 airport crash fire trucks rounded out the big 700 Series. The comprehensive 700 Series model lineup included 500, 600, 750, 1000, 12 gallon-per minute pumpers 65-, 75-, 85- and 100-foot service aerials 75-, 85- and 100-foot tractor trailers aerials city service ladder trucks and quadruple and quintuple combinations. Standard pump in the 700 Series was a new American LaFrance Tripflow two-stage centrifugal. Depending on pump or ladder size, 700 Series customers had a choice of four V-12 engines - 190-, 204- and 215-horsepower variants of the Lycoming-based V-12, or the big 240-horsepower ALF "E" V-12, the former 312A engine. A pair of rear-facing crew seats flanked the engine compartment. The design was somewhat reminiscent of GM's now "F" type diesel locomotives. Forward visibility was increased 250 percent compared to the wartime 500/600 series.Ī dramatically styled 700 Series had a sleekly-tapered front end with no grille. With its nimble 160-inch wheelbase, a standard 700 Series pumper had a turning radius of only 25 feet, a vast improvement over the bulky 600 Series. The cab-forward configuration also resulted in reduced weight on the front axle resulting in easier handling and steering. The dramatically different-looking 700 Series pumpers and aerials placed the driver ahead of the motor for vastly improved forward visibility compared with the 500/600 series. The all-new postwar 700 Series pumpers and aerials were announced with great fanfare in the leading fire service trade journals in October, 1945.
0 kommentar(er)
