A.F.S. Vehicle (green goddess) FYL5J

Although as far as I am aware this is not Blackburns’ machine it does show what a green goddess looks like. Known as the green goddesse4s these appliances were designed for strength, high performance and versatility requiring a minimum of skilled maintenance. Built 1953-1956 exclusively on Bedford chassis by several coach building firms.

Owned by the Home office for use by A.F.S. personnel in major emergencies, each carried the inscription ”this vehicle is the property of the home office”. The earlier models were fitted with 2 wheel drive and all later models with 4 wheel drive, length 23ft, width 7ft and 4 inches, powered by a Bedford 6 cylinder 4,927 cc. 110 b.h.p petrol engine.

The army fire service purchased a number of the 4 wheel drive version which were painted red and known as the Bedford RLHZ.

Two wheel drives models carried 400 gallons(1,818 litres) of water; 4 wheel 300 gallons(1,362 ltrs). All models fitted single stage centrifugal Sigmund FN 4 or 5 900 Gallon per minute rear mounted pump, 5 and a half inch suction inlet, 4 standard delivery valves, also 6 inch flange for relay pumping, 1,600 ft of 2 and 3/4 inch delivery hose, 180 foot hose reel each side, light portable pump and one 35ft aluminium extension ladder.

This fully equipped 1953 2 wheel drive appliance is owned by the fire service preservation group and maintained by Mr and Mrs. G  Wells  of Swindon