bulldogboy

Back in the early 1970s when the "MB" model fire engine was introduced, many small, volunteer fire departments operated apparatus mounted on commercial chassis such as Ford, GMC, IH, etc. The Mack "MB" was an entry into the "custom" fire apparatus world for these departments. Departments now had an affordable engine that incorporated the safety of a jump seat plus other "big city" features. Later, these departments could move into Mack "CF"s, Spartan, ALF, and other custom apparatus. While the "MB" was a commercial chassis, Mack made the fire apparatus version a "custom" by adding fire department features such as dual ignitions, beefed up suspensions, electrical systems, safety features, etc. required by the NFPA. This was also done to "custom" "R" model fire apparatus. bulldogboy

yarnall: Whose Mack "AC" fire engine are you hauling? bulldogboy

Law Motor Freight has had the NH Liquor Commission warehouse contract for many years. Recently they lost the bid to DHL. This was a large part of their business so what happens to the company from this point is unknown. They are contesting the bids but who knows how that will play out? Law's Mack "A" model roof ornament is a local landmark. It is just west of the current Nashua Motor Express terminal on Amherst Street (Rte. 101A). When I was a kid, LMF was known as Law & Ingham Trucking. They, along with Nashua Motor Express, Nashua Corporation, Improved Machinery Inc., and many others, had all kinds of Mack "A", "L", "B", "R", "CH", etc. tractors and straight trucks in operation. Along with the fire department's fleet of Macks, it was a great time to be a Mack fan. bulldogboy

Nashua Motor Express today announced it is shutting down its trucking operations after 92 years in business. The company will be involved in logistics only. They will lay off all their drivers and sell their 20 tractors, mostly "R" and "U" models. Too bad, another New England trucking company goes away joining St. Johnsbury, N&B Express, Holmes, etc. bulldogboy

And, after you change your filters, clean the lint trap and vent hose, don't forget to clean the fins underneath or behind your refrigerator. These often get overlooked, get very dusty and your refrigerator will not work as efficiently as it should. Oh yeah, don't forget the bathroom fan needs cleaning; could be a fire hazard if not cleaned regularly. Lots of household advice here today!! bulldogboy

The one with M.F.D. on the hood is probably from Minneapolis, MN.; they had Mack "B" sedan cab pumpers. Later, they purchased pumpers on IH and Ford "Louisville" 4 door chassis. Another department that bought "B" model sedans was Port Jervis, NY. The "squirrel tail" suction hose set-up on the Memphis engine was once popular in the TN and MO. area. It made for a faster drafting operation or to use a hard suction on a hydrant if needed. I never had to hook a hard suction to a hydrant; our hydrant pressure and flow was sufficient for a soft suction hose. bulldogboy

When this classic was in Tunbridge it was privately owned by the late Peter Jorgensen who published a fire apparatus magazine, "Fire Apparatus" I think was the title. He also owned a Mack "CF" that was lettered "Engine 3" but neither of these trucks was owned by the Tunbridge Fire Department. I'm sure that someone on these forums will fill us in on the history of this beautiful truck. That's the great thing about these forums; there is always someone with the correct answer. bulldogboy

That's what I thought when I saw the red light on the roof; is (or was) this a rural fire department tanker? bulldogboy

Mack fire truck designations usually had to do with the pump size; e.g. B85s and C85s had 750 GPM pumps, B95s and C95s had 1,000 GPM pumps, and B & C 125s had 1,250 GPM pumps. These models were usually gassers but later were available with diesel engines. "The B-52s" were also a rock group; "Love Shack", etc. bulldogboy

I thought that maybe the other trucks had bodies built by someone else but I wondered why Harvey Eckart would use a Mack/non-Mack on the cover of his book. Mack certainly knows better than me how many trucks they built. It would be great if Millwood could get this truck back some day. I always like when a fire department maintains one (or more) of their old Mack fire trucks. bulldogboy

72U685ST: Thanks for the update, please keep us updated on the Aerialscope's future. bulldogboy

General Ike: I've seen pictures of that Millwood Mack before; that's an impressive truck. On the cover of Harvey Eckart's book, "Mack Model B Fire Trucks" there is a picture of a tandem axle "B" model pumper built for the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft plant in Florida. On page 115 of the same book there is a photo of a semi-cab, tandem axle "B" model pumper built for McCandless Township, PA. Marsh Harbour Fire Brigade in the Bahamas has a 1958 tandem axle "B" model pumper. There is a photo of it on Marsh Harbour's website; the Mack is still lettered for the Maidstone Fire Department (?). Good luck with your endeavors in obtaining this truck. bulldogboy

Bigdog: Nashua Motor Express; still in business and still running "R" and "U" model tractors. I think that their newest tractor is a "CH". bulldogboy

72U685ST: I see that Millbury put its new Pierce tower into service. Did Charlton buy your Aerialscope? bulldogboy

Bigdog: Is that like in Nashua Corporation or something else from Nashua, NH? Nashua Corporation ran Macks years ago. bulldogboy

Interesting photos of the Signal gas stations; Signal Oil owned Mack at one time. Those photos would have looked better with a few vintage Mack fire apparatus in them. bulldogboy

Loadstar: Looking at the photo of the interior of your "L" cab brings back memories of operating the "L" models in my fire department back in the early '70s. I remember that the seats were covered in red upholstery just like yours. As fxfymn says, the seats take a beating, especially an open or semi cab model. One contact would be: Mike's Custom Kanvas, 468 River Road, Weare, NH 03281, e-mail: MikesCustomKanvas@yahoo.com He has done work for fire departments in New Hampshire reupholstering seats, making hose bed covers, etc. Have you seen the website: www.firenews.org? He has a section called "Department Listings" that shows many past and present apparatus throughout New England. He does not have a photo of Kittery's former Engine 1; maybe you could e-mail John one of your photos. That's a nice looking truck, good luck with it. bulldogboy

Like Budweiser, Hallamore has a Clydesdale hitch and wagon that travels to parades, shows, etc. I saw them on display at the Eastern States' Exposition in West Springfield, MA. Both Hallamore and Budweiser teams were on display and appeared in the daily parades. Hallamore also had a restored Mack "FJ" tractor on display. bulldogboy

As part of the deal for Volvo to buy Mack, Volvo had to divest itself of one of the LCFs, either the Autocar model or the Mack "MR". Volvo kept the Mack and sold the Autocar to Workhorse who kept the LCF in production. Haven't seen too many of them but the "MR" rules the segment. bulldogboy

While we are discussing problems, how long do I have to enter a reply to a topic? Twice I have tried to enter a response to a topic that was a month or more old and the response would not enter. Do I have to start a new thread to continue a discussion? Thanks. bulldogboy

Looks like Harlan County is cornering the market on "CF" fire engines. That's good; like to see them still in service. I passed through Bristol, VA/TN on I-81 last year; I didn't realize how close I was to Harlan County. Oh, well, maybe next time I'm down that way (would love to go to NASCAR at Bristol). bulldogboy

Vinny: You don't have to ride your bicycle all through Massachusetts. Ashland is about 20-25 miles southwest of Boston (if that truck is in Ashland). Best way is to enter next year's Boston Marathon; it starts in Hopkinton then travels through Ashland to Boston. If you can't run all 26 miles then detour in Ashland to find that "U" model. bulldogboy

Yes, blue plates are used on municipal vehicles in Massachusetts. It probably belongs to the Ashland, MA Highway Department. bulldogboy

Yes, NYC is great this time of year; all the Christmas decorations. I liked Rockefeller Center and all the stores decorated with lights. Times Square is a great place to visit. bulldogboy

One thing that I have learned on these forums is that everyone likes the Mack Superliner. Last week I went to the local convenience store to make my weekly contribution to the state lottery commission. The only parking spot was next to the lone diesel pump but I figured, "What the heck, no one will use this pump in the near future". So I went in to get my losing ticket and a cup of coffee and when I came out there was a Superliner log truck backing up to the diesel pump. Needless to say, I hurried to move my pickup to give him all the room he needed. Glad to see a nice old Mack still working. I see Yarmouth Lumber trucks running I-95 and I-495 around Boston all the time. Will have to keep an eye out for the "Top Dog". By the way, the Yarmouth, ME Fire Department still owns a 1948 Mack Type 45 pumper. bulldogboy