| Often mistaken for an AEC Mercury, the Maudslay Merlin II chassis with 12' wheelbase was chosen by Merryweather & Sons Ltd for their first & second series of 'Marquis' fire appliances built between 1954 and 1959, and were the last true Maudslays in production, outlasting all other types by several years. Marquis Series I appliances were Merlin chassis nos 50501-50506 with AEC AV470 diesel engine and 4-speed sliding mesh gearbox. Marquis Series II were Merlin chassis nos 50507-50551 with the AV470 and 4- or 5-speed synchromesh gearbox. The first, 50501, was on the Maudslay stand at the 1954 Commercial Motor Show and later sold to the Municipality of Kisumu, Kenya. The last, 50551, was Bradford Fire Brigade's VKY634. |
Fine artist's impression of the Series I Merryweather Marquis/Maudslay Merlin II. The first was shown on the Maudslay stand at the 1954 Commercial Motor Show. Fire kit included 500-800 gpm pump, 45ft light alloy ladder and 400-gallon water tank. (NF collection) |
Surrey Fire Brigade VPH40, 1954 'tin front' Merryweather Marquis/Maudslay Merlin II 50502 with AEC AV470 engine. (Mike Cotton) |
An example of the Merryweather Marquis Series II/Maudslay Merlin II was shown on the Maudslay stand at the 1956 Commercial Motor Show. Fire kit included 500-800 gpm pump, 35ft 2-section and 400-gallon water tank. (NF collection) |
North Shore Fire Board (New Zealand) EX9218, 1958 Merryweather Marquis/Maudslay Merlin II 50523 with AEC AV470 engine. (Ivan Prince via Peter Trevor) |
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© 1998-2009 Images & captions edited by Neil Fraser - All copyrights rest with the Author [ descript.ion | Index ] |