Thornycroft Nubian Crash Tender

General

Many of these fire/crash tenders were made during World War ll and have found homes all over the world becoming a familiar sight on airfields from Finland to Australia.

Chassis – Just over 5000 Thornycroft Nubian chassis were produced.  These chassis were the natural choice for use in difficult conditions when maximum traction was required.

Body – Special bodies for fire/crash tenders were constructed by body builders such as Pyrene, Sun, Carmichael and Air Foam

Engine – 6 Litre, 8 Cylinder Rolls Royce petrol engine driving through a transfer gearbox to both front and rear axles.

“The Queen Eleanor”

First registered in 1953, chassis number 45330, engine number 278 Queen Eleanor is a mark 5 version.  Since being commissioned this appliance served as a crash tender at various airfields including Hawker Siddeley, Bitteswell, Lutterworth.  Geddington Volunteer Fire Brigade purchased the tender from British Aerospace in 1980 and she is maintained in full working order.  The Queen Eleanor is used annually for “the Squirt” in the ford by Geddington Bridge.

Name – Carrying on the tradition of naming fire appliances we have called this fire engine Queen Eleanor.  The reason for this is the association Geddington village has with Queen Eleanor wife of Edward l.  The Eleanor Cross sited in the centre of the village is finest preserved of all the crosses.  The naming ceremony was carried out by a descendent of Queen Eleanor, H.R.H The late Princess Margaret at Boughton House, Weekley in June 1981.