www.TheSixAppealWheelGroup.org

VRG161T - In service at Newcastle Airport

 As usual, the story starts with me browsing the internet late one weekend for any sign of a 'six wheeler' in the images section of a search. I discovered that in any search it is easier to look in 'images' rather than the propagated lists. On about the fourth page, after entering 'Land Rover Fire appliance', I noticed a small picture of a Commando (second picture) .The following message started the thread:,

Hi, I am currently looking to put a value on a carmichael commando 3.5l V8 that my company has owened for many years.
As you can see from the pictures, it is in good condition and solid (been dry stored all its life!)........
It does not currently run (batteries flat, cranks but does not fire fire pump also needs a new impeller), but has been ran in 2006...but retired from service due to us not needing an onsite fire crew any more.
Could someone out there please give me an estimation of how much the vehicle is worth........If anyone fancies a closer look then they are more than welcome (although the vehicle is not for sale just yet!)
Cheers
Luke

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 When I saw this there were not many replies, those that had replied said that it was not worth more than a few hundred (£500) as the pump was not working and it's age. At this time, the group were in the process of receiving the Falkland Isles Commando which was en route. The 'Dunlop' commando was an Ex Newcastle airport appliance but had not been used for some time and was in need of some TLC!

 I decided to apply the same approach as in the Falklands appliance as, later in the thread, it was mentioned that if no one was interested, a local Transport museum might be offered it? So, with some trepidation, I posted this reply:,

Hello Luke,
Just came across your Commando and very pleased I did! I believed this particular vehicle to be scrapped!!
I'm glad it's still around.....I run a small group of enthusiasts and would like to ask if your company would seriously consider 'donating' the vehicle to our preservation group?
The reason I ask is that we have just been 'given', on permanent loan, a Commando from the Falklands Isle Fire & Rescue service. It has to be shipped back to the UK and we await it's return to show/display it. Yours is of particular interest as it is originally built for airport/airfield use with a roof monitor. As I said, I believed this vehicle to have been scrapped and I was really surprised it had not...
You company would retain ownership if required or we could maybe pay a 'token' fee for it? No extra cost would be incurred by your company and she would be well looked after.
I hope you would pass this on to your boss even if there is no interest. I would be glad to view the vehicle also.
Thank you for your time to read this and respond.
Walter Davis
Originator
TheSixAppealWheelGroup - Home

Anyhow, I sent the thread to John Carter who contacted Luke and awaited a reply. A reply did arrive and John exchanged e mails and a date was fixed to view the vehicle. I met John at his work and we both travelled to Coventry one Friday afternoon. We arrived at the site about 5pm and met Luke, a very nice young man, who took us to the huge warehouse/factory unit now empty. Our first site of VRG161T was of it in the far corner looking tiny and forlorn...below (pic) Our first glimpse...I must admit, I think both our hearts were beating a tad faster at our first sighting as she appeared in really good condition, very shiny, if a little dusty.

JC, approaching, on left, camera at the ready! Another addition to the story is that there were two appliances, VRG161T (8) and VRG 162T(9) which was for sale on e bay some time ago. This, so I was informed, was scrapped? Some of the group members viewed 162 and said it was suffering from quite severe corrision. Pictured here together

 We spent about an hour checking out everything and taking quite a few pictures. John was very excited and wanted to buy it there and then! Luke then mentioned that his 'boss' was keen on my idea of 'donation' to the group for preservation. It had been offered to the local transport museum but they had no interest in it. Good for us I thought.. So we left and waited. Eventually, a few weeks later, John received an e mail from Luke with the brilliant news that the cmpany would donate it to the group for preservation! Fantastic...

Arrangements were made to collect the appliance and this happened on the 16th October 2009 when Myself and Clive(Custodian) went to oversee this. The vehicle will be returned to Newcastle colours as it was in service and displayed at shows, hopefully, next year. Thanks, once again, to all who assisted in this second aquisition for the group.

Walt

22nd October 2009