1947 American LaFrance 700 Series Pumper: A LEGO® creation by Lego Fire Museum Inc. : MOCpages.com

1947 American LaFrance 700 Series Pumper

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This is a 1947 American LaFrance 700 Series pumper. It has a 1000 gpm pump and 300 gallon tank. This is the classic American fire engine. The 700 Series was the first mass produced cab-forward fire truck. It revolutionized fire apparatus design.

About this creation

The 700 Series was the quintessential classic fire truck. The design was introduced in 1945. Production started in 1947 and ran to 1958. It was available in pumpers, quads, quints, mid-mount aerials and tractor drawn aerials. The 700 Series also was used for rescue trucks and lighting units. Over 3000 units of the 700 Series were produced at the American LaFrance factory in Elmira, New York.

The cab-forward 700 Series featured vastly improved visibility. Because they were less weight on the front axle steering and handling were easier in these days before power steering. The cab-forward design also reduced overall apparatus length and reduced the turning radius.

This innovative new design hit the market when there was a significant post-war demand for new fire apparatus. By the end of 1950 over 1400 units had been delivered.

Pumpers of the 700 Series had the pump controls and hard suction hoses on the officer's side. This is the opposite of today's practice. With the 800 Series in 1956 and the 900 Series in 1958 American LaFrance moved the pump controls to the driver's side.

The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company Ltd was founded in January 1904. Over the past 107 years the name of the company has changed many times. American LaFrance is one of the oldest names in the fire apparatus industry. Originally, American LaFrance was based in Elmira, New York. The company now operates out of Summerville, South Carolina. Although no longer a dominant force in fire apparatus manufacturing, American LaFrance has built more fire apparatus than any other company in the world.BFD552@gmail.com

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