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NYFD FLXIBLE CLIPPER

 
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2015 5:48 pm    Post subject: NYFD FLXIBLE CLIPPER Reply with quote

All:

Just purchased a copy of "NEW YORK CITY FIRE TRUCKS" (Sorrenson/Wood); this book is an outstanding photographic work, and certainly of interest to those who are interested in historic "Old New York" photos.

There is one (undated) photo that was of particular interest to me; it shows a CLIPPER in use as an NYFD ambulance.

This bus/ambulance could transport six patients on stretchers; it also carried 28 cots that could be used at a first aid station.

The ambulance had its own generator, sterilizer, oxygen supply, a hot water tank, and heating pads.

It could also hook up to outside power sources.

Anyone else familiar with this unusual bus?

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2015 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

* From what I gathered in the book, this NYFD bus was purchased prior to 1951.......

"NYO"
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frankie



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PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2015 11:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any possibility of scanning the photo and showing it here?

Frankie
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon May 11, 2015 11:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

frankie wrote:
Any possibility of scanning the photo and showing it here?

Frankie


Frankie:

No.......I have no scanner...... Sad

Hopefully, one of the other fellows here might be able to come across a photo of this most unusual and distinctive CLIPPER, which once served proudly with New York's Bravest, and perhaps even fill us in on its years of service with the NYFD...... Smile

"NYO"
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roymanning2000



Age: 75
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PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2015 8:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The FDNY Flxible Clipper was model 102B49, serial 8966, delivered in 1949. The "B" indicates a Buick engine and the last two digits are the year of manufacture. The "102" does not follow the usual Flxible model number scheme. It probably indicates a bus built as a shell or specially modified.

Generally the first two digits were the seating capacity, then a letter for the engine, a single digit for interior layout (1=standard seating, 7=suburban, etc.), then the year built. So a standard 29-passenger Clipper with a Buick engine built in 1949 was a 29B149.

By the way, the Beaver Falls (PA) Volunteer Fire Dept. bought a Clipper also. It was a 33B147, serial 8299. I seem to recall that a department on Long Island had a Clipper some years ago but I can't remember which department it was. It was probably acquired used and converted.

By the way, the Clipper serial number lists are at

http://flxibleowners.org/serial-numbers/

Roy
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2015 10:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Roy:

Many thanks for this info!

"NYO"

(any idea of when the bus was retired by the FDNY, and what its disposition was after retirement?)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2015 1:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All:

While I DID know that Flxibles were used as both Highway Post Offices and mobile television units, this was the first I heard about one being used by a fire department.......

"NYO"
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Free-transfer



Age: 64
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Location: South Florida

PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2015 12:01 am    Post subject: NYFD Reply with quote

Could it be THE bus?


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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 22290
Location: NEW JOISEY

PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2015 9:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

free-transfer:

Yes.....that IS indeed the bus.....many thanks for locating and sharing this rare photo! Wink

"NYO"
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Q65A



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PostPosted: Tue May 19, 2015 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's what Lt. Jack Calderone and Jack Lerch had to say about this big ambo in their book "Wheels of The Bravest":
"Two new ambulances entered service during 1949. The first was a conventional Buick ambulance while the second was designed to operate as a mobile hospital and was built by the Flexible (sic) Coach Company on a bus chassis. In addition to an independent generator, the apparatus had an outside connection for electrical supply which could supply current to lights, sterilizer, hot water generator and heating pads. There were 6 beds with piped oxygen supply capable of continuous operation for 48 hours. The rig also carried 28 cots, 6 stretchers, first aid equipment and medical supplies."
The FDNY designation for this rig was "Ambulance 1". According to information posted at www.nyfd.com, Ambulance 1 was quartered with Engine 56 at 120 W. 83rd St. on the UWS until March 1, 1955, when it was requartered at Engine 1 (142 W. 31 St. near Penn Station). I have no information regarding the disposition of this unit.
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Q65A



Age: 66
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PostPosted: Tue May 19, 2015 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Those of you who are interested in FDNY apparatus should check out the following website:
http://www.fdnytrucks.com/
Operated by fire apparatus photographer "par excellance" Mike Martinelli, the full color images of current and recent past apparatus are absolutely stunning. Mike is to fire apparatus photography as Bob Redden was to bus photography.
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 22290
Location: NEW JOISEY

PostPosted: Thu May 21, 2015 1:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Q65A:

Great historical info......appreciate your sharing here with us on the board! Wink

Would sure love to see a surviving Flex restored as an FDNY unit......man, what a showpiece for the NYFD and the NYTM Bus Exhibition! Very Happy

"NYO"
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