Of all the vehicles at a BCATP airfield, emergency responders were some of the most vitally important types, although the hope is that they are seldom required. The vehicle in our collection is a 1942 Marmon-Herrington Ford V-8 all-wheel (6 wheel) drive crash tender. It has a V8 engine with 95 HP. This truck carried 300 gallons of water, 4 C02 cylinders, 2 pike poles, bolt cutters, fire axes, and an asbestos suit. Our crash tender saw service right here at #12 Service Flying Training School, Brandon, MB.
Our truck was donated by Bill Ryder of the St. Rose Du Lac fire department. Painting was done by Honda Land, Brandon, body work by Trail King, Brandon, and mechanical work by CATPM volunteers. This truck has been restored and is operable.
Interesting Note: Marmon-Herrington is an American company that produced axles and transfer cases for trucks and other vehicles. They built military vehicles during WWII and had a partnership with Ford Motor Co. to produce trucks. They are especially known for all wheel drive conversions to other truck makers, especially to Fords. The company was based in Indianapolis with a plant in Windsor, ON. They have since moved to Louisville, Kentucky. (Source: Wikipedia)
The 3 photos here are of 3 ton crash tenders at BCATP schools. Source: Canada Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada.
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum & RCAF WWII Memorial 