Historical information

Ash Wednesday Veteran

This Bedford M Series tanker spent its working days at the Forests Commission depot at Gembrook, and among its many forays, fought the deadly Ash Wednesday bushfires at nearby Upper Beaconsfield and Cockatoo on 16 February 1983.

Earlier in 1975, the M Series tankers underwent a design change at the Altona North workshops, replacing the cylindrical water tank with a “V” bottom 4090 litre water tank that sat low between the chassis rails to reduce its centre of gravity.

Aluminium heat shields were also added to protect the pump operators on the back.

While generally considered "bulletproof" the petrol fuel lines on this particular model were very prone to vaporise in the heat causing the motor to stall, often at the most dangerous moment.... in this case frightening the hell out of its driver, affable knockabout bloke, and firefighting legend Lex Wade.

Some jokingly said this design quirk was an inbuilt safety feature to stop crews getting too close to the fire in the first place.

The Gembrook tanker was later sent into the workshop and all its brake and fuel lines fitted with heat resistant lagging.

Fortunately, this remarkable bushfire survivor was rescued from the scrap heap by Lex and fire equipment wizard Barry Marsden upon its retirement from a loyal and lengthy service.

After a lick of fresh paint and most of its battle scars "buffed out", this time-honoured veteran now takes pride of place at the Altona North workshop.

Physical description

Bedford M series fire tanker

Inscriptions & markings

MZF 347