1947 American LaFrance 700 Series Tractor Drawn Aerial Ladder Truck: A LEGO® creation by Lego Fire Museum Inc. : MOCpages.com

1947 American LaFrance 700 Series Tractor Drawn Aerial Ladder Truck

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This antique is a 1947 American LaFrance 700 Series tractor drawn aerial ladder truck. It has a 100 foot four-section hydraulic steel aerial ladder. It is powered by a 240 hp E type V12 engine and has an open semi cab. These were called the "Rescue Model" by American LaFrance.

About this creation

The 700 Series was the quintessential classic fire truck. The design was introduced in 1945. Production started in 1947 and ran to 1958. It was available in pumpers, quads, quints, mid-mount aerials and tractor drawn aerials. The 700 Series also was used for rescue trucks and lighting units. Over 3000 units of the 700 Series were produced at the American LaFrance factory in Elmira, New York.

The cab-forward 700 Series featured vastly improved visibility. Because they were less weight on the front axle steering and handling were easier in these days before power steering. The cab-forward design also reduced overall apparatus length and reduced the turning radius.

This innovative new design hit the market when there was a significant post-war demand for new fire apparatus. By the end of 1950 over 1400 units had been delivered.

The outriggers still work. They stow neatly under the turntable when not in use.

This truck carries 184 feet of ground ladders in lengths from 14 to 35 feet. Many tillers of the period carried over 200 feet of ground ladders and some even carried around 300 feet.

The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company Ltd was founded in January 1904. Over the past 107 years the name of the company has changed many times. American LaFrance is one of the oldest names in the fire apparatus industry. Originally, American LaFrance was based in Elmira, New York. The company now operates out of Summerville, South Carolina. Although no longer a dominant force in fire apparatus manufacturing American LaFrance has built more fire apparatus than any other company in the world. BFD552@Gmail.com

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I like it

White Knight

November 15, 2011

what an amazing engine !>.....

I like it

Jordan Gennusa

September 29, 2011

It is impossible to find a picture without 1 or more likes.

I like it

Jordan Gennusa

September 29, 2011

It is impossible to find a picture without 1 or more likes.

I like it

Karl E

September 23, 2010

Now this is what I've been waiting for! Nothing to me says classic more than an ALF TDA! Absolutely love it!

Erik Rennick

September 15, 2010

This one is my favorite of your trucks!! Great detail

I like it

ImLost =(

May 12, 2010

This is really cool! I didn't even know tractor-drawn fire ladders existed back in 1947! My only suggestion is that with an open-cab truck like this, it would look better if you add some minifigs. Anyways, the proportions are nice, and the details are great.

I made it

Lego Fire Museum Inc.

August 18, 2009

Quoting Dave Myers Awesome work. I am going to put a post up on my blog about your Lego Fire Trucks. http://www.kidsfirefighter.com

Thank you. Your blog is great. But definitely not just for little kids. There is lots of stuff on it that this big kid found really interesting.

I like it

Darcy Guerin Hanlon

August 17, 2009

cheers any way nice truck

I like it

Eric and Lawson B

August 16, 2009

Simply beautiful.

I made it

Lego Fire Museum Inc.

August 15, 2009

Quoting Darcy Guerin Hanlon nice whats a qunit?

A �quint� is a quintuple combination. That is a until that has (1) a pump (2) a water tank (3) hoses (4) ground ladders and (5) an aerial device. Most of the ladder trucks on MOC are quints. A �quad� would have all of the above except an aerial device. It would carry a ladder truck�s full complement of grounds ladders.

Darcy Guerin Hanlon

August 14, 2009

nice whats a qunit?