1958 Crown being restored by CFE member in Columbus, Ohio
Question: What is this Crown Firecoach doing in Columbus, Ohio?
Answer: Undergoing an extreme makeover!
F1116, seen above, is a 1958 Crown, one of four identical 1000 gpm pumpers delivered to Santa Barbara, California that year. In 2006 it was purchased by CFE member William F. Vedra, Jr., who is also a member of the Central Ohio Antique Fire Apparatus Association (SPAAMFAA chapter) and a retired battalion chief from the Columbus Fire Department who lives in Columbus, Ohio. Read about his ongoing restoration adventure and see more photos of the transformation of this Crown by clicking on the image above.
- Club News -
2010 BRIAN DIERKENS AWARD WINNER
Matt Branley was presented with the 13th Annual Brian Dierkens Memorial Award and a Check from CFE for $500.00 at the Valley Center Fire Protection District (VCFPD) Board Meeting held on June 18, 2010. Matt is a Volunteer Firefighter with the Palomar Mountain VFD where CFE Member George Lucia, Sr. is Chief. George is also the Fire Marshall for the VCFPD and nominated Matt. Matt is taking Paramedic Courses at Palomar Junior College in San Marcos and was previously an Explorer at the Vista Fire Dept when he lived there. Shown in the picture above are (L to R) CFE Board Member Mike McDonald, Matt Branley and Chief Lucia. Mike went over all the previous award winners and told them who they were with and what they were doing now as best he knew. Matt was very grateful for the honor and check that will help him with his studies.... just driving to San Marcos everyday from Palomar Mtn is quite a gas expense! Click here for more information about the Brian Dierkens Memorial Award and a list of past recipients.
INTERVIEW WITH DON CROUCHER
Our own CFE Director and Club Historian/Archivist Don Croucher is featured in an article entitled "An Interview with Firefighting Memorabilia Collector Don Croucher," in Collector's Weekly, where he "talks about firefighting collectibles, from department badges to actual fire trucks. Croucher, who retired in 2001 after 35 years in the fire service, also discusses such major fire apparatus manufacturers as Crown and Seagrave and a project to establish the California Fire Museum." The nine page article includes a number of photos.
To view the article go to: www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/an-interview-with-firefighting-memorabilia-collector-don-croucher
FEATURE STORY ABOUT JOE ORTIZ
Long-time member Joe Ortiz was interviewed for an article in 2009 in the Contra Costa County Times. Joe supplies fire and emergency vehicles for many movies, TV shows and commericals (if "54" is in the unit, it is one of Joe's rigs). The article, "Collecting Fire trucks Becomes Carrer For Joe Ortiz," includes photos and can be found at: http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_12845399?nclick_check=1
MIKE BRITT MAKES NEWS IN NORTH DAKOTA
Yes, in addition to doing this website and writing the "Blast form the Past" articles in the CFE newsletter, I'm involved in a lot of other things, some fire apparatus related and some not. And the fire appartus stuff extends far beyond Crowns, especially to Seagraves and ALFs from the 20s (these major project restorations are thankfully somebody else's checkbook - I just help out). And I'm always up for going out to look at an old rig found on some property somewhere. Often I take loads of photos and then go back and research the rig to discover it's history. Last year, this led to a discovery of a very unique rig which was the first motorized fire engine in the town of Mandan, ND. Since that time I've been working with thier historical society which is hoping to return and restore the rig. It was interesting to me, but I had no idea that it was big news there...
To view the article go to: http://mandan-news.com/2009/09/old-mandan-fire-truck-found/
NEW WEBSITES OF INTEREST
The Crown Coach Historical Soceity <http://crowncoach.info> is a website dedicated to the history of the Crown Coach Corporation. The impressive site was recently started by the granddaughter of company founder M. M. Brockway. It includes articles and photos about both Crown buses and fire apparatus, and links to other Crown sites on the web.
The Hall Scott Motor Car, Truck & Engine Company <www.hallscottengines.com> was recently formed by a three partners who decided to buy all the rights and trademark for Hall-Scott. They are currently working on developing a Hall Scott CNG engine with plans to make the group a resource for Hall Scott engine rebuilds, repairs, parts and service. The group now includes several CFE members including David Cox ( a director with the LAFD Historical Society), Ron Debiasi (who is running Thom-Son Trucking Lines since Art Thomson died), Chris Coven (a Capt. in the Logansport, IN, F.D. and owner of F1035, a1955 Crown, ex LAFD P3), Craig Smith (from Campo, CA) and Tom Shafer (from Los Gatos, CA). Besides the web site they are also currently restoring a the last(out of nine made) 1929 ALF type 285 pumper, from LAFD, a 1930 ALF chain drive 200 series, and a 1936 400 series ALF Metropolitan.
In addition to the above websites, a number of CFE members now have some great websites, a list of which you can find on the new LINKS page.
"CROWN" Mold Reacquired for Front Steps and Tailboards
If anybody's Crown has a damaged or missing corner on a front step or tailboard, Darrell Gilbert, who operates crownfiretruck.com, has re-acquired the orignal factory mold to cast the rounded corner "Crown" lettering. Contact Darrell at darrell@dgilbertassoc.com for more info. He also has the molds for the "Crown" and "Firecoach" emblems, as well as discharge caps - all of which are for sale on the website.
FIRE ENGINES NEEDED TO MAKE HISTORY!
Four working fire engines are needed to volunteer to test a new Hydro Turbine invented by legendary Engineer Joe Holden. The pumping test will be held at a lake, location to be determined. They need 200 PSI, 1150 GPM, and 3” hose to be connected to the Hydro Turbine. The turbine produces clean and safe renewable power. For more information, contact Mark November at 818-470-8453 or mnovember@earthlink.net.
Joe Holden's Background: Invented the first “Afterburner” for jet airplanes when he was only 18. The afterburner technology which Joe invented for Rolls Royce is still standard technology on aircraft used worldwide; Invented the first ball and socket “CV Joint”, which is standard on every front-wheel drive car. Land Rover was the first to adopt Joe’s invention; Invented the first “Air Slats” which are on almost every airplane. It’s when a portion of the front of the winds extends down before landing and it allows the plane to reduce its speed before landing the plane;
Invented the first “Thrust Tubes” which is standard on most supersonic jets: Joe’s inventions were also key for some of the early “Hovercrafts” and also for the “Harrier Jet.”; Invented a classified “Chase Boat” for the U.S. Customs Department, which was among the fastest boats on the planet; Joe was the one who parachuted into North Korea and “stole a Russian MIG” and flew it back to the West. His bravery helped the West during the Cold War years; Joe flew a “Concorde Jet” (classified version) into sub-space; Joe was a “Top Gun pilot” who flew his own classified airplane designs: Joe led “17 Missions” into Vietnam to rescue over 500 POWs.
Volunteer the use of your pumping rig and help Joe change the planet!
- Recent 2010 Events -
CFE Members at Redlands Professional Firefighter's Annual Car Show
CFE member Mike Britt brought his 1966 Crown and CFE members Carl Lucey brought his 1975 Ford/Van Pelt to display at the Redlands Firefighter's 14th Annual Car Show held in downtown Redlands on May 16, 2010. Also on display were the Redlands Professional Firefigter Association's restored 1920 Seagrave pumper and the city's 1969 Crown pumper (restored to an open cab and now used as a parade rig). Click on the image above to see more photos.
CFE Members at Costa Mesa FD Safety Expo
CFE member Don Pogue brought his 1979 Crown and CFE members Mark and Mike Bramm brought their 1970 Seagrave to display at Costa Mesa FD's annual safety expo held May 16 for the local communiuty at fire station 4, featuring fire suppression and rescue demonstrations.
Large Turn Out of CFE Rigs Helps make Monrovia F.D. Centennial Parade and Show a Success
Many CFE members and area fire departments brought out apparatus both new and old on May 15, 2010, to help the Monrovia Fire Department celebrate 100 years of service to the community. The highlight was a fire apparatus parade through the downtown business district, followed by a static display of the rigs on the blocked-off streets. The event included a chili-cook-off, safety expo for the kids, live band, and awards for the best apparatus of different eras. Winners included CFE members Dave Hubert (for the CSFA Steamer) and Carl Lucey (for his 1975 Ford/Van Pelt).
Click on the image above to see lots of photos of this great event.
ATHS So Cal Chapter Truck Show
May 2, 2010 - Perris, CA
A half-dozen fire engines were on display May 2, 2010 at Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA, for the annual truck show sponsored by the Southern California Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society. Several CFE members attended along with every size and shape of American truck over 25 years old - from Model T's to Kenworths and Peterbilts. Even a rare 1939 Ford COE pumper was trailered in. Fire apparatus photographer Dennis Maag tells us this rig started out its carrer with the Oblong, Illinois Fire Department. Click on the image above to see more photos.
CFE Members Participate in 2010 Firefighter's Quest for Burn Survivors
Several CFE members participatd in the Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors 2010 Burn Run, May 3-7, 2010, including Leonard Lotorowicz, Jim Conrad and Brian Grimes (pictured above with his cerimonial donation check). Click on the image above to see more photos.
CFE Members Participate in 2010 AARBF Southern California Burn Relay
The Annual Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation’s Southern CA Burn Relay took place on Saturday, May 1, 2010 with several CFE member's rigs participating. As in the past, the relay was broken into two legs, one doing the coastal cities and the other heading inland, each with CHP escort. Cerimonial checks were presented at each stop representing money raised for support of burn survivors. Retired KABC weatherman "Dr. George" was again the cerimonial host. The two groups met back up at Los Angeles county F.D. Station 118 for food and closing festivities. Click on the image above to see more photos from the event
April 2010 CFE Meeting
Camarillo, CA
The spring CFE meeting was held April 25, 2010 at the Oxnard College Regional Fire Academy located in Camarillo, CA. Thanks to CFE member Dave Kromka for arranging the meeting location and appartus display. Following lunch, CFE member and paramedic Lou Farah gave us a tour of the nearby Ventura County Sheriff's Air Operations. Our tour was cut short when two calls for air rescues came in at the same time and we watched as both crews lifted off, including Lou entroute to a fall victim. Next, a caravan of members drove out to see CFE member Bill Dundas' Santa Rosa ranch, railroad and fire engine land, where we got the royal tour of all the work in progress. Thanks to Dave, Lou and Bill for a great day! Click on the image above to see more photos.
