Walt McCall's out of print and outdated book, American Fire Apparatus Since 1900 in the Crestline Series, has been referred to as the "Bible" and is the number one reference source recommended by fire apparatus enthusiasts. The old book was arranged by year and required a lot of reading and searching to research individual companies and their fire trucks. Well, now the new "Bible," is here! From Abbott & Downing to Zwak, this comprehensive volume combines company histories, innovations and hundreds of photographs to present the story of American fire engine manufacturing.

Presents classic photographs and detailed description of 1,250 work vehicles from 1891 to 1996, including fire trucks, earth movers, buses, coaches and military vehicles and offers information on their histories and manufacturers.

Describing the evolution of the fire engine from hand pumpers to steamers to the elaborate rigs of today, Halberstock points out all the interesting intricacies of the machines, takes readers along to fight real fires, and tells how to purchase a fire truck for $2,000, or less. Illus.

American motor fire apparatus design reached its high-water mark in the 1950s. Every one of the nation's major fire apparatus manufacturers boasted uniquely individual custom fire truck designs. Unlike the look-alike cookie-cutter shoeboxes of today, back then a fire fighter could instantly identify these makes a block away. From conventional Fords to the custom rigs of fire apparatus manufacturers, all the most popular, unique, and industry-changing designs and innovations are featured in this long-overdue tribute to the fire trucks of the Fabulous Fifties!

A complete encyclopedia of every Canadian Fire Apparatus Company of the 20th century. Each company is listed alphabetically and its apparatus is documented in text and high quality photographs. There have been over 20,000 pieces of fire apparatus built in Canada, and every manufacturer is documented here. Includes Allain, Almonte, Amertek, Anderson, Bickle and Bickle Seagrave, Carl Thibault, Ft. Garry, Hub, King and King Seagrave, LaFleur, LaFrance, Marsh, Maxi Metal, Metalfab, Phoenix, Pierreville, Superior, Thibault, Tibotrac, Waltek and more.An essential reference tool for every fire apparatus buff and historian.

The vehicles and other firefighting equipment of the Milwaukee Fire Department, like the department itself, are unique among the fire service. It built more of its own apparatus than any other American city and few can match the scope and character of apparatus used to serve and protect life and property in Milwaukee. Through detailed research, firsthand narratives, and captivating photos, the author walks the reader through the fascinating history of the incredible machines that served Cream City from the mid-nineteenth century to modern times. This volume traces the ever-changing face of Milwaukee's fire-fighting and life-saving equipment in parallel with the city's own history and growth. The fire department workshop's reputation for ingenuity is shown through its adaptations to disastrous fires that brought about changes in laws, economic growth and decline, the establishment of Milwaukee's ethnic neighborhoods, the difficult transition from horses to motorization, the wartime and post-war experience, the corporate world of apparatus manufacturers, and Milwaukee's fireboat fleet.

Of all the companies that built motor fire apparatus in America in the 20th century, none has acquired the cult-like devotion accorded the unique products of the Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. With its front-mounted piston pump surmounted by a gleaming spherical air chamber, the Ahrens-Fox piston pumper projects irresistible aesthetic and mechanical appeal. Fire apparatus aficionados and collectors have all but elevated the truly distinctive Ahrens-Fox piston pumper to a firefighting deity. Noted fire apparatus historian and author Walt McCall has selected the best of the best for this photographic tribute to a legendary nameplate—including the milestone Continental, mighty six-piston Models PS, BT and what is arguably the most beautiful fire engine ever made in America, the classic, semi-streamlined Model HT. A supplemental gallery of 30 color photos showcases some of the finest surviving Ahrens-Foxes.

Publisher description

From the creation of the American-LaFrance Fire Engine Co. in 1904 through the company's latest deliveries in 2004, McCall provides insight into the company's often complex corporate history with emphasis on the development of ALF motor fire apparatus. Comparisons to its competitors help explain the various development stages in apparatus style and components. Detailed, historic photographs show the wide variety of apparatus produced by ALF over the last century. A color gallery portrays the ALF colorful designs that remain popular for U.S fire departments today. The story wouldn't be complete without a chapter on ALFCO's Canadian Cousin, LaFrance Fire Engine & Foamite Ltd. An appendix explains the various types and series and the time period they were built. An outline of the various names the company went through is also

Long before there were aerial ladder trucks, there were city service hook and ladder trucks. For many years, long-wheelbase, straight-frame city service hook and ladder trucks were standard offerings in the product catalogs of most fire apparatus manufacturers. The last straight service ladder trucks were built in the mid-1950s.The pump-equipped quad rolled on into the 1960s, before it too was eclipsed by the quintuple combination, or “quint.” This book is a photographic tribute to these fondly-remembered hook and ladder trucks and quads built during the golden age of American motor fire apparatus.