As seen at the MVPA National Convention:







All photos copyright Michael Koenig - All Rights Reserved
Please - for personal hobby reference only)

Darley Chanpion front mounted water pump. Takes it's PTO off the main crank pulley at the front of the engine with a short drive shaft running THRU of just under the radiator.

Miscellaneous other Fire Truck variants:
Some had mid-ships mounted water pumps instead of front mounted. Driven either off a clutched pass-through driveshaft arrangement or a rear facing PTO off the transmission. Should you want to avoid the front bumper mounter arrangement.






(3 photos found on the internet.)

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Some were based on the stock GMC Deuce and a Half:

It would perhaps be reasonable for one to create an open cab version of this truck from the old Tamiya LRDC desert truck.

Mike,

I have plans to 3D model that pump... The OT at work has finally slowed down, and I'm working through my backlog of Shapeways requests... I do have the Reels and plumbing for the back of the truck done.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/2RP76ZY2J/1-35-scale-reels-fittings?optionId=61790124&li=shops

Matt - it looks like "The Model Mechanic" on SW has already done a version of the Darley pump.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/GTF4UAQJ5/1-35th-darley-fire-pump-front-mount?optionId=137982208&li=ostatus]

This offering will get me past the main very gnarly problem of building that main water pump housing but (IMHO) there are a number of details that could have been added to this unit but of course there is always the problem of small details making a design unprintable.

This was to be my solution to making those hose reels but now I may have to go with Matt's SWs offering.

Please note water truck on far left in this last photo. Modern airports have an underground distribution system where pumpers can draw water in an emergency, However early landing strips and wartime expediency allowed for no such luxuries. In aircraft fire fighting often the need for water would exceed the 500-750 gallons carried by the pumper and so a water truck would be employed to offer an additional water source. Also the water truck could off load into the pumper and go get more water if necessary.

Today you will still see fire department water trucks especially in rural settings where a county fire call might take place outside the local cities' piped water hydrant supply system. Pumpers can also draw water from local farm ponds or streams where available as can the water trucks.

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Soft cab version of Italeri water truck intended for airbase fire fighting auxiliary water service with addition of hose pump connections behind cab.


I know, I know, fire fighters would never let their trucks get this dirty!

If I had a few more views of the pump I'd consider scratching it in 1/48. (in my mind slightly more likely to be in demand) Could be used with the banjo axles already available on Shapeways.

Robert - I tried getting tech drawings directly for Darley but was told their records no longer go back that far.

Also front mounted water pumps are no longer employed on fire pumpers. Everything these days are mid-ships mounted pumps of one form or another.

Also you may note that in the Darley Champion pump design the pump body itself it a round, symmetrical, centripetal impeller design. Where as other (as seen in the photo below) had a "nautilus" styled spiral shaped pump body.

I do not know who made this spiral design.

The symmetrical, round Darley Champion pump would be (I presume) the easiest to 3D model.

I'd want it for WWII version as shown in your original photos, so no problem there. Just need to find some rear views of the pump unit.

Such photos might be difficult to find.

As I recall the Darley had just a more or less flat back with some strengthening ribs and the bearing box for the input drive shaft in the center. The rear piece was cast as a large dish shape and the front plate then bolted to that. I do wish I had taken that back side photo for you when I had the chance! It just never occurred to me.



Just sent another request off to Darley asking for info/drawings/TM. Will let you know how they respond.

I just received a box from SW that should have my Darley pump order in - when I get time I'll open and take a photo to post here.