I'm going to a fire station soon for a visit, and I was wondering if any knows how to get really good photos of appliances e.g. the best angle to take the picture at.

Thanks in advance, from James

An Approximate 245 degree angle should do the trick.

Um...

Good lighting is a ++++ There's nothing worse than a dark photo which you can't really make out what it is so make use of the flash!

Also, a tip here, people do like to see pictures of things that they aren't as likely to come across elsewhere. I.e I know that people like to see pictures of INSIDE police patrol cars with pictures of the dashboard and controls etc. or cars where the emergency lighting is on because these are less commonly found. I'm fairly sure the same would apply for fire appliances.

Anyway, What fire station are you going to?

Weston-Super-Mare, it has 3 pumps, 1 ariel ladder, 1 emergency rescue tender, 1 L4V and 1 Incident Response Unit, it should be a good visit, i'm looking through the lockers and I may get a ride in one of the pumps.

Sounds good fun

Is it a sort of open day or is it a visit you have arranged personally?

Come on where are the photos ???

^^^What he said, where are the snaps you took

The trip went kind of OK, the leading firefighter there wouldn't open the station doors for me (for an unknown reason) so they photos are not that good.

First photo is of the WrT (Water Tender) and WrL (Water Ladder). Both are Man M2000 on Saxon bodywork. WrT = 181, WrL = 182.



Second photo is of the ERT (Emergency Rescue Tender). The is a Mercedes Benz also on Saxon bodywork. ERT = 186.



Third photo is of the TL (Turntable Ladder). This is a Mercedes Benz on Angloco bodywork with Magirus ladders. TL = 185.

So I take it you didnt get a chance for a ride out either James?! Sounds like that crew manager (leading hand!) was the type of bloke that gives firefighters a bad name!!

We should be getting a brand new appliance in a month or so, ill take some good pics for you and email them down to you!

Sounds like the trumpton fella I met the other day after returning his helmet to his station after he left it at a crash.
He hadn't even realised it had gone and just about thanked me for returning it to him.
I said just out of curiosity would you of returned any equipment we left behind and he replied no

1) No ride due to health & safety
2) Cool, thanks. Make sure its not an Atego though.

Its ok its a Dennis Sabre James, Dave showed me the pics on some website.



Poor Dick, you didn't like Trumpton at the best of time and that guy didn't help. Keep the helmet next time get a few ££££ on eBay for it.

I've managed to get another visit to Avon's HQ in Bristol. They have 3x Pumps, 1x Aerial, 1x Line Rescue Unit, 1x BA Support Unit. I'm also having a tour of the workshops and other departments they have there. I'm also going to Brislington fire station on the way back which has 1x Pump and 1x Environmental Support Unit. I'll get some photos and post.

Sounds like a busy day