Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Scale 1:6, working model of a of self-propelled steam fire engine 'The King 1905' introduced by Messrs. Merryweather and Son in 1899. Made by Mr Jonas Francis from an engine used by the Cardiff Fire Brigade, which had a pumpimg capacity of 500 gallons per minute. The vertical double-cylinder steam engine drives a crankshaft which is connected to the pumps or to the propelling gear as required. The drive is by means of steel roller-chains to sprockets on the rear wheels. The level road speed was 25 m.p.h. The hose on the reel over the hose-box is connected with a 60-gallon chemical cylinder beneath. This served to extinguish a small fire with the minimum of water damage. Should, however, the flames spread, the pumps could be used. Provision is made for oil firing as an alternative to the use of coal. The two oil-tanks are also situated below the hose-box. The oil-burner is pressurised by steam from the boiler. Two fifty-gallon water-tanks for the boiler are provided, one on each side of it.

This is a 2-in scale model of a Merryweather fire engine used by Cardiff Fire Brigade between 1906 and 1916. Mr Jonas Francis, who made the model, was an engineer fireman in the Fire Brigade and often drove the engine, that the model was based on, during the course of duty and carried out repairs and maintenance. Mr Francis started making the model in 1906, using drawings by Messrs Merryweather. Although not quite finished the model was exhibited at the Bath and West Show in Cardiff in 1911 where, after inspecting the model, Mr James Merryweather had it transferred to the firm's stand. The model was completed in 1912.