Leyland-Metz turntable escape fire engine, c 1938

Leyland fire engine fitted with a 100ft ladder German Metz turntable escape, 1936. In the service of Lancashire Fire Brigade until 1961.

This Leyland fire engine is fitted with a 100ft Metz turntable escape. The introduction of the Metz metal ladder in 1936 was an important development in firefighting as it enabled ladder lengths of over 85ft and removed the need for guy lines and heavy ladders. The Metz ladder was controlled through 15 hydraulically operated multi-disc steel clutches which took power directly from the main gearbox via two-piece propeller shafts. An important feature of the Metz ladder was its automatic plumbing which meant the ladder could work in varying levels of slopes. However, this required skilled precision to operate and the Metz ladder was not as popular with fire brigades as Magirus ladders, which were seen as easier to use.

Leyland obtained the rights for the German made Metz ladder in the 1930s. The ladders were imported and attached to the basic chassis and body of Leyland fire appliances at the Leyland factory in Lancashire. At this time Leyland started making machines with diesel power units and fully enclosed limousine bodies. The basic type of Leyland machine during the 1930s was the six-cylinder chassis and there were three different fire engines based in this type of chassis including the TLM Leyland Metz turntable escape.