Magirus Deutz Trucks - 'Air-Cooled Rules'- by Roland Sparling

est. 2006

** See the NEW entry on MAGIROZ... A Fine DL37 **

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for some amazing film.

They Protect you.

Please check back regularly.

Thanks

Roland

Contact me :-

roland@magirusdeutz.co.uk

fire equipment

In 1864 Conrad Dietrich Magirus, established “Magirus Feuerwehr Requisiten Fabrik” and

started manufacturing his unique range of Fire Fighting Vehicles.

The name Magirus went from strength to strength due to many technical developments,

including the manufacture of the first Turntable Ladder unit.

In later years, indeed, up to the present day, many truck manufacturers have fitted the internationally renowned 'Magirus Leiter' unit and its modern variants.

I heard some years ago about Glasgow being the only area in the UK to have been lucky enough to have a Fire Brigade including several Magirus Deutz Fire Appliances. I have now managed to track down proof of their existence and here are a couple of small pictures.

------------------- MAGIRUS DEUTZ FIRE ENGINES USED IN GLASGOW ----------------

PGB 276 F The first Forward Control cabbed model made. 4 Delivered in 1969.

Model 150 D 14 FL with a DL 30 Ladder unit.

VCG 291H 30 meter ladder, with fire and rescue cage. The only one ever in the UK, and 1 of only 4 ever built.

The above photos were taken by Arthur Smith and Ron Henderson.

I have been unable to contact Arthur for his permission, Ron has been in touch and has given his ok.

PGB 276 F was one of the appliances called to the Tragic Fire in Kilbirnie Street on 25.08.72.

when the Sher Bros. Cash and Carry warehouse was destroyed.

7 Brave Firemen lost their lives on that day. 6 died in an attempt to save one of their fellow firefighters. I asked where these amazing vehicles are Now ?

I now have further information courtesy of Derek Sneddon, a keen Fire Brigade archivist.

NGE 46F 1969 Magirus Deutz Water Tender Ladder with SMT bodywork. Based at South fire station, Glasgow.

NGE 47F 1969 Magirus Deutz Water Tender Ladder with SMT bodywork. Based at Central fire station, Glasgow.

PGB 276F 1969 Magirus Deutz Water Tender Ladder with SMT bodywork. Based at Govan fire station, Glasgow. (pic above)

PGB 277F 1969 Magirus Deutz Water Tender Ladder with SMT bodywork. Based at North West fire station, Glasgow.

NYS 26F 1969 Magirus Deutz 105D JC Bennett Magirus Turntable Ladder. Based at Central fire station Glasgow, then Cowcaddens fire station Glasgow. Last heard of preserved down in Kenilworth, UK.

PUS 920F 1969 Magirus Deutz 105D JC Bennett Magirus Turntable Ladder. Based at North West fire station, Glasgow. Last heard of preserved by Douglas Morrison of Haddington, East Lothian.

VGG 291H Magirus Deutz 230D JC Bennett Magirus 30 metre Turntable Ladder. Based at West Marine fire station, Glasgow. Last heard of with Drimsynie Estate in Lochgoilhead, Strathclyde. It was the only Magirus Turntable Ladder in Strathclyde Brigade that was fitted with a cage. (pic above)

I would be pleased to add more pictures of the above vehicles, so if any of you are able to help, please contact me.

It is true that Fire Fighting Teams show a special respect for their vehicles and this is

displayed by the very high level of presentation reserved for their vehicles and equipment.

They are trained that due to the nature of their work, they can only accept the highest

possible standards in all respects. Their lives and those of the public, depend on total

reliability and complete trust in every item they use in their dangerous profession.

Magirus Deutz in a Fire-Prevention and Control Operation - Sudan 1983

My mate Ron is an experienced international fireman and his employment as Chief Fire Officer of the Kenana Sugar Company in the Sudan in 1983, was just one of his very demanding jobs.

The Magirus Deutz fire truck was provided as part of an aid package from Germany following a visit from the Chief Fire Officer of Ulm who identified a number of weaknesses within the company fire brigade.

He suggested that two fire trucks and a dry powder trailer would adequately provide fire cover for the site which covered thousands of acres and employed in excess of 70,000 people.

Magirus Deutz TLF24/50, 4x4, 16T GVW, with Deutz F8L413 engine. fitted with a 5000L Water tank and 500L Foam tank. Vandalism/shipping mark on cab. (Rons truck on right)

Only one truck with some equipment and the trailer arrived, and the second truck "disappeared" after arriving at Port Sudan.

At that time the fíre brigade was operating with 6 "Green Goddesses" and a 6x4 ex-RAF Range Rover and was extremely limited with the fire cover it could provide.

The high level monitor control pit	The hose unit at the rear

The photos were taken by Ron out in the sugar cane fields and show the fire truck being used to prevent fire jumping from one sugar cane field to another during the cane burn. If this happened it might provide too much cane to be harvested at the time or might jump to a field that has not reached the appropriate growth and readiness, thereby leading to a significant loss of sugar from the cane.The green Nissan truck to the rear of the fire truck was a water bowser in case the water tank on the Maggie needed replenishing ! Each field is approximately 800m long by 400m wide. When the cane is ready for harvesting it is first of all burned "in situ" to remove the leaves and is then harvested either by hand or by machine. Removing the leaves by burning allows the harvesting to be accomplished faster with little damage to the cane. The minimal damage is due to the fire being so quick that little residual heat is generated, although the heat felt from the fire is quite intense.This is the reason for the fireproof suits. It was probably nearly as hot inside the suit as outside !


The Kenana Sugar Company has 100,000 acres of sugar cane and now produce more than 400,000 metric tons of sugar annually, supplying Sudan's domestic needs and exports to its regional neighbours and to Europe. The site includes the world's largest sugar mill under one roof.

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The Deutz engine lends itself to front end, full torque, engine speed, power takeoffs as there is no radiator to obstruct the fitting. This fine example takes full advantage of this benefit.

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Fire fighting vehicles built on other makes of chassis are the products of more than one manufacturer. Magirus Deutz supplied the unit, as a complete entity, with all components designed to interact with one another. This is a complete Magirus Deutz unit !

Click the picture for a better view.