1950s ex-HMAS Nirimba Thornycroft Nubian airport fire tender

BC · **Posted:** Mon Sep 09, 2024 1:24 pm

I'm not wanting to take the focus off Stroppy's project and his progress, but I have to agree with CJ. Car SOS is one of my favourite programs as well. A great concept and production, with some amazing results to deserving recipients. BZ :supz:

Maybe you might be able to contact the program management, for information, leads or even an Oz TV project for Car SOS!! :-k

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Tue Sep 10, 2024 12:22 am

I will offer a more in depth update shortly, suffice to say that I am tracking in time with the first AUKUS submarine delivery based on the next generation UK boat :omg1:

Seejay · **Posted:** Tue Sep 10, 2024 7:19 am

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2025 2:10 am

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Firstly, whilst keeping the truck at our bush block on the Southern Tablelands, was the only logical decision (remember, saved from the scrap heap), it is an absolute pain in the butt with regard to maintaining continuity on any work that I do. Having replaced some timberwork between the front and rear doors (well enough to enable the removal of the two front panels), very little remained of the timber behind the panels (what little there was ended up on the ground). Care to note that there is bugger all timber in the roof line and the rear of the cab (still to have the skin removed and patterns made). Of course, I have to refit the two front panels and find an extra 15mm of movement of the panels so they more closely align with the front doors.

I am starting to doubt my continued woodworking skills (some items at times look like they have been worked on by a semi skilled beaver). Nothing was made and located to be further worked on after the skin went on (originally) and there is nothing more frustrating to expend a great deal of effort to put some of the components in place with clamps, only to see an issue after attaching the screws - leading to removal, refix, removal, refix.......

I have starting chasing down the wiring on the dash panel. When I overhauled it I maintained the wiring run as it was found. Well, it would seem that I have found out why so much of the loom was fritzed. A number of the wires did not follow the diagram and certainly explains the cause of "smoke issuing". With luck the panel will go back on the truck next time we are down at the block.

I got into a discussion with a guy (asked me about the HMAS Nirimba/FAA badge/RANAS Schofields/Thornycroft logoed polo shirt I was wearing). Seemed he knew all about the history of Nirimba (not ex Pussers) and said, categorically, that it was never a naval air station (that changed when I offered dates and the formal naming of naval air stations - and the relevance of the pelican), showed him an image of the truck which, he said, would be worth a fortune (is not, still only scrap value) and was more than a little astounded when I not only offered the history of the Thornycroft fire units but that I was able to show where all three are at this time. Finished him off by pointing out that I had attended the last five aviation incidents involving Schofields Aerodrome (until its closure) as a member of the local bush fire brigade.

I have had to reinforce the fact to the prior recipient of the truck (manages the fire museum at Coolamon) that the truck will not be completed and available for the centenary of the Coolamon Fire Brigade this year (I thought he said it was 2029 - my bad). No brakes, engine yet to be started, still areas of the timber frame that would take another relocation and lots of "bits" stored in the shed. Even getting the 1933/34 Ford sidevalve V8 pump engine (and the pump) running is waaaay in the distance.............

BC · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2025 5:31 am

Thanks Brian. Definitely a tough project, but at least you are still a young bloke. :happy:

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Mon Mar 31, 2025 12:42 am

Took one of our twin 21 year old grandaughters for a driving lesson the other day and included a drive around the former base as part of the run. Made sure to point out all the buildings and their former use and I included a reference to the location of the former fire station and its reasonably close proximity to the Wardroom site. Told her that the story went that they could not start the former airfield tanker to fight the fire. She seemed to think it a tad strange that a primary safety vehicle for the base, parked as close as it was to the Wardroom, never made it to the fire......

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 31, 2025 2:07 pm

Never mind all that, Stroppy.... you've got twin 21 year old grand-daughters...??? :omg1:

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Tue Apr 01, 2025 1:36 am

We have a 27 year old grand daughter (who we have not seen in decades) from younger sons (now 47) "earlier" days.
A 25 year old grandson (brother to the twin 21 year olds also who we have not seen for some time) from the younger sons "later" period.
Twin 21 year old grand daughters (from the same "later" period of the younger son). They live with him so, just down the road from us (next suburb). One is currently going to TAFE to be an Enrolled Nurse and the other was looking to join the Army as a medic (though she is currently entertaining the notion to join Navy as a medic as the medic courses are tri service). Who knows what the future holds.
From the older son (53) a 19 year old grand daughter, 17 year old grand daughter and a 15 year old grandson.

Graeme Rhodes · **Posted:** Tue Apr 01, 2025 10:24 am

Stroppy Chippie wrote:

We have a 27 year old grand daughter (who we have not seen in decades) from younger sons (now 47) "earlier" days.
A 25 year old grandson (brother to the twin 21 year olds also who we have not seen for some time) from the younger sons "later" period.
Twin 21 year old grand daughters (from the same "later" period of the younger son). They live with him so, just down the road from us (next suburb). One is currently going to TAFE to be an Enrolled Nurse and the other was looking to join the Army as a medic (though she is currently entertaining the notion to join Navy as a medic as the medic courses are tri service). Who knows what the future holds.
From the older son (53) a 19 year old grand daughter, 17 year old grand daughter and a 15 year old grandson.

Something in the water??

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Tue Apr 01, 2025 5:07 pm

Stroppy Chippie wrote:

We have a 27 year old grand daughter (who we have not seen in decades) from younger sons (now 47) "earlier" days.
A 25 year old grandson (brother to the twin 21 year olds also who we have not seen for some time) from the younger sons "later" period.
Twin 21 year old grand daughters (from the same "later" period of the younger son). They live with him so, just down the road from us (next suburb). One is currently going to TAFE to be an Enrolled Nurse and the other was looking to join the Army as a medic (though she is currently entertaining the notion to join Navy as a medic as the medic courses are tri service). Who knows what the future holds.
From the older son (53) a 19 year old grand daughter, 17 year old grand daughter and a 15 year old grandson.

I didn't know you were that old..! :old1:

That's quite a tribe :wav:

there, Stroppy...! :happy:

1950s ex-HMAS Nirimba Thornycroft Nubian airport fire tender

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