Green Goddess

Green Goddess (German: Green Goddess ) is the popular name for the Bedford RLHZ Self Propelled Pump, a fire engine, which was originally later used by the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS ) and by the British Army. This olive green painted vehicles were built from 1953 to 1956 of Bedford for the AFS. Their design was based on the army truck Bedford RL.

Auxiliary Fire Service

The Auxiliary Fire Service was established as part of the Civil Defence of Britain after the Second World War and should be active in events like a possible bomb attack by the Soviet Union to rescue the civilians. It was thought at the time, a nuclear attack on Britain would cause a large number of fires that would overwhelm the local fire departments. So we ordered a large number of normal fire truck for reserve units. The AFS used these vehicles regularly until its dissolution in 1968 by the government of Harold Wilson.

The Green Goddess cars were not really a normal fire engine ( AFS called "Devices" ), but " self-propelled pumps ", some with rear wheel drive, other four-wheel drive. Their main task was pumping large amounts of water from lakes, rivers, canals and other sources in cities that had been hit by a nuclear strike. The vehicles could be used as relay stations for pumping the water over many kilometers, and they would have been used on a regular basis for the increase in pressure. The fight against the fire would have been a possible supporting role.

Use

Until its dissolution in the AFS used the " Green Goddess " intensively to support local fire departments across the country. They put the water supply, and also served as fire engines, if the appropriate local fire brigades were deployed in large fires. Your ability to handle large amounts of water was heranzuschaffen over long distances, especially in remote areas, invaluable, or even if the local sources for firefighters was not sufficient. In most cities in the UK the AFS- quarters were right next to the regular fire brigade.

In 1968, the vehicles were mothballed, but occasionally still used by the British armed forces to fire during the strike of firefighters to ensure (particularly in 1977 and 2002/2003). Also for pumping water during flooding they were used. One them meted regular care and held it roadworthy.

Meanwhile, the green Goddess vehicles are no longer needed. A law passed in 2004 allows the government to order the deployment of civilian fire and rescue vehicles in national disasters. New civil protection units were formed after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which, inter alia, have the possibility of transportation of large quantities of water over long distances.. In March 2004, the government announced that she would perform her remaining 900 Green Goddess and sell off the rest of a test sale of 40. Meanwhile, the sale is completed. Most vehicles were awarded to fire departments in developing countries, mainly in Africa.

Technical Equipment

Unlike modern fire engines, the Green Goddess no radios have built-in, no cutting devices and only a single conductor. They were relatively slow with a top speed of 105 km / h and a cruising speed of 72 km / h and had no power steering. One advantage that many Green Goddess against modern vehicles, the all-wheel drive. The fuel consumption is between 28 and 35 ltr. / 100 km, depending on driving style and load. They also have a lower load capacity for water ( 1.400 l for all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive 1800 l at ) and the road is bad because of the lack slosh. The cab is made of wood and offers little protection in case of accidents.

Some vehicles were later with blue warning lights and Zweitonhörnern, and revised tail lights, fitted to adapt them to the other fire-fighting vehicles. The mechanism is robust and easy to maintain.

The Green Goddess had some standard equipment, such as hoses with distributors in different sizes for different water flow rates up to lightweight, portable pumps and ceiling mounts. All vehicles had a 10 m - conductor and at least one out extension ladder Some specimens were equipped with additional equipment, such as hook ladders, radio equipment, large bolt cutters, etc..

Pump

The main pump had a capacity of 4500 l / min. ( 4100 l / min. During the four-wheel version). Normal fire hoses could either be connected to the main pump with four terminals or to normal hydrants, for which a number of fittings were carried. In addition, the device had a small Coventry Climax - pump 1600 l / min. supplied and its own gasoline engine had as a drive. This could also take water from a river or other source and also dine in normal fire hoses, so this unit has a separate fire fighting chance offered. A water tank with 1,800 liters volume ( 1.250 l for the all-wheel version ) was also installed, the contents of which was fed into small fire hoses on the right and left of the vehicle, so that the possibility of immediate fire fighting immediately after the arrival of the vehicle was, while the large hoses were installed. Also, there was a circulation pump and other useful tools and equipment on the car.

Crew

The vehicles were usually with an officer on duty, who was sitting in the passenger seat, a driver / pump operator and four firefighters busy in the back seat.

Gallery Images

Front view

Sideview

Rear view