Foot Gallery

NFS 60ft hand-operated turntable ladder, WW2

An Austin K4-Merryweather 60 foot hand-operated turntable ladder (TL). A total of 50 such appliances were built and mounted on Austin K4 chassis for the Home Office between 1942 and 1943. The appliances were designed to be used by crews who were not necessarily qualified TL operators. The TL pictured is being demonstrated at Lambeth, the Headquarters of the London Fire Brigade (between 1941 and 1948 the NFS Regional Headquarters)

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

The Arrival of the First Thor Ballistic Missile to RAF Bom

Photograph of the delivery of first Thor Ballistic Missile to an RAF Base in Norfolk, 19th September 1958. Sixty-five feet long, it was carried to the site from a nearby American base on a 90 foot long transporter. The Thor's nuclear war-head was retained by the Americans and any British decision to launch this missile would have been subject to American approval. RAF Regiment guards can be seen in the foreground, ready to deter any naughty ideas

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Fire station drill, hook ladder and 50 foot escape ladder

Regular training continued at all London fire stations during WW2, though it was unusual for a sub-station to have a drill tower. Here the hook ladder is being carried up and will be pitched to the upper floors of the drill tower from the top of the 50 foot escape ladder

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

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