Green Goddess fire engine to go under the hammer

Published on Tuesday 19 July 2011 16:33

ONE of the famous Green Goddess fire engines is given a quick wash before being put up for auction.

Lyon and Turnbull is offering people a chance to bid for the vehicle in a sale on Saturday.

The engines were used originally by the Auxillary Fire Service (AFS). This example is expected to go for about 3,000.

The tender put on show ahead of the auction was built in 1955, a year before production stopped.

Paul Roberts, vice chairman of Lyon and Turnbull, said: "The distinctive Goddess has always been with us in times of trouble and strife; indeed, that's what it was designed for - to roll into action in the event of a nuclear attack.

"They would have been driven by civilian volunteers from the AFS." However, the Goddesses main function has been to go into action crewed by the army when firefighters went on strike.

In 1977, 1,000 of them were in service, crewed by 20,000 servicemen, attending call outs across the country.

Mr Roberts said: "You'd want one because you can drive them on a car licence and they are tax and MOT exempt.

"That's a useful saving right there. The asking price is temptingly low, starting at just 3,000. The Goddess is also something of a people carrier as there is accommodation for six, plus driver, so the whole family can come with you."

The four-wheel-drive vehicle comes complete with a portable pump, 1,600ft of hose-reels, first aid kit, foam canister and 300 gallons of water on board.

If you want to rescue someone, the ladder can reach a height of 35ft.