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Iconografix |
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Navy & Marine Corps Fire Apparatus 1836-2000 Photo Gallery by William D. Killen |
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Reviewed By Doug Hamilton, #21985 |
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MSRP - $24.95 USD
ISBN - 1583880313 If there is one aspect of the military that receives little or no attention, it is the fire service. This soft cover photo gallery contains 224 pages of good quality black and white photographs showing in chronological order various pieces of military fire fighting equipment. While not aimed specifically at the modeler, this book looks at an interesting and seldom-seen area of military vehicle. Covering mostly land based vehicles and equipment; there are pictures that show quite a variety of military fire fighting apparatus. From the most modern technology, to the oldest known surviving engine, known as Minnihaha, delivered to the Charleston Navy Yard in 1836, we’re able to trace the development of military fire fighting quite well. Not all equipment shown here is what could be considered state of the art. There were many odd and seldom seen ideas tried over the years, and a good number of these attempts are documented here in pictures. When we think of fire apparatus, we usually think of large fire engines, long ladder trucks, and powerful pumpers. Those pieces are shown, but we also find jeeps modified and outfitted to get close to the action, a highly modified Indian motorcycle developed to carry a two-man crew, a few fire-fighting tugs, and even a Cushman Mini Vehicle used for inspections and extinguisher maintenance. There is a good cross section of ideas and development in these pages. All of which culminate in today’s front line, state of the art apparatus. Many of the photos in this book show the equipment in action, battling blazes and doing what they were intended to do. Many also show them parked, waiting for the next call. The author draws heavily on his own collection of pictures, as well as others drawn for many sources, including official Navy photos. The rear of the book also contains an index, by location, of the equipment shown on the preceding pages. I recommend this book to anyone with a love of fire apparatus, or anyone wanting to explore a little seen area of military preparedness. I enjoyed looking at this book, and thank the publisher Iconografix, the author, the IPMS Reviewer Corps, and Vice President John Noack for supplying it for review. Also to the brave fire fighters whose equipment we get to see and understand a bit more. |
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