The Ford C850 Telesquirt was an affordable solution for small volunteer and paid fire departments across North America who needed elevated waterway operations and basic ladder company operations, but could not afford larger, heavier duty apparatus. It combined a very popular Ford C850 commercial chassis with a fire engine body and pump as the basis for mounting a Telesquirt aerial device.

The combination offered many benefits to small departments. The chassis was a dependable, widely used model that offered easy engine maintenance and service via the tilting passenger cab. It could be serviced by many local Ford dealerships and parts were less expensive than many on customer fire apparatus chassis.

The fire engine body and pump combined with the Telesquirt aerial device offered versatility in the use of the apparatus. It could be used as an engine when called for, or a ladder when needed, or both if the situation demanded it.

The inclusion of a fire pump and booster tank also meant the apparatus was capable of putting first water on a fire independently and could supply itself with water from hydrants or drafting sources.

It was definitely a Jack of all trades type of apparatus, while it could perform many tasks, it was the master of none. Fire engines built on custom fire chassis generally offered more features including larger pumps and tanks and could carry more firefighters. Ladder trucks built on custom fire chassis offered heavier duty ladders with the ability to reach greater heights while also carrying more equipment and firefighters.

Still for many departments, this was an attractive and affordable solution to their needs. This type of apparatus was built for decades, from the 1960's until the early 1990's. Thousands were produced by many different apparatus manufacturers. Serving both their original owners and secondary owners. Even today, it is possible to see some of these apparatus still in use.

With such a long product run and with the long service life most of these units had, they will look right at home on many layouts from set anywhere from the 1960's to present day.

Features:

• Ford licensed product
• Fully assembled and ready to run
• Interior with separately applied steering wheel
• Clear window glazing
• Operating telescoping ladder
• Rubber tires