Austin K6 CO2 crash tender c.1939

Austin K6 CO2 crash tender c.1939, chassis no.K6ZV 78731, engine no. 1K67792, Registration no.1819 MN

With the rapid development of civil and military aviation in the 1930s there was a growing need for purpose built crash tenders to deal rapidly with aircraft fires involving large amounts of fuel. This Austin K6 entered service with the RAF around 1940. It carries 24 cylinders each containing 60lbs of carbon dioxide which can be fed to three discharge points each with 75ft of ¾ in bore hose. It was the only crash tender in the RAF to use carbon dioxide only as its extinguishing substance.

The vehicle was acquired in 1960 by the Isle of Man Airports for use at Ronaldsway Airport. After a short period at Jurby Airport with Thermo-skyships Ltd it came to the Science Museum.