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factorone33 — American LaFrance Open Cab HDR

Published: 2009-09-02 08:17:06 +0000 UTC; Views: 2612; Favourites: 30; Downloads: 97
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Description While traveling with a friend through northwest Missouri, we came upon this 1949 American LaFrance 100' aerial ladder truck, formerly of St. Joseph Fire Department (we speculate that it was their first ladder, as it was numbered Ladder 1). While it's in relatively decent cosmetic condition, the V-12 inside isn't exactly in running condition (though it appears salvageable). It proved to be good fodder for an HDR experiment.

Note that I took this without the aid of a tripod (lucky me).

Canon EOS 30D
Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
ISO 200 @ 1/800, f/8
HDR AEB: +/- 2 EV (1/200, 1/800/ 1/3200)
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Comments: 13

JryanW22 [2015-02-02 18:04:37 +0000 UTC]

Where at in St. Joseph is this? This is an incredible picture with a rich history behind that truck.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

factorone33 In reply to JryanW22 [2015-02-17 17:45:54 +0000 UTC]

Actually, it's in Dekalb, MO, down south of St. Joe about 30 minutes at the junction of MO Hh and Jj roads. It's off Spring & Main on the southwest corner. Still sitting there. Found it on Google Maps, so I'd say there's a good chance it's still there.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

bobbarker86 [2011-04-15 20:09:49 +0000 UTC]

I drove one that was a 1976 & there was not alot of diffrence between them.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

factorone33 In reply to bobbarker86 [2014-03-19 00:36:28 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, that's what's kinda crazy. ALF didn't really move away from the open cab concept until right about that time, but there are some late-70s models still out there with open cabs.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

bear48 [2010-06-02 05:17:22 +0000 UTC]

Very sad but still very beautiful

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

SwiftFlyer [2010-05-17 02:36:06 +0000 UTC]

Such a shame it sits and rots! Not many have a building large enough to keep one inside, let alone take it apart and restore it. Yet, there is hope! It appears that it will survive for some time yet.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

factorone33 In reply to SwiftFlyer [2010-05-17 03:27:50 +0000 UTC]

For having sat outside for the better part of 15 years, it's in relatively decent shape. I've been back a time or two to look at it since doing this, and it's actually better than I first thought. The rust isn't very present, and it really just needs to be cleaned up and repainted.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

SwiftFlyer In reply to factorone33 [2010-05-17 04:15:08 +0000 UTC]

Most fire apparatus, like aircraft are mostly handmade. Fortunately this makes a restoration manageable.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

ozma914 [2009-09-03 22:23:30 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful old truck -- somebody needs to recondition it!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

factorone33 In reply to ozma914 [2009-09-03 22:45:11 +0000 UTC]

My friend has had his eyes on it for awhile now. But they're not willing to sell for some reason.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

ozma914 In reply to factorone33 [2009-09-04 06:04:26 +0000 UTC]

Old truck versions of packrats, I suspect ... I'd be the same way, even though I'd be hopeless at reconditioning work.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

JDAWG9806 [2009-09-02 20:16:59 +0000 UTC]

It's missing a lot of parts.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

factorone33 In reply to JDAWG9806 [2009-09-03 01:56:44 +0000 UTC]

You're telling me. It'd take a couple of years of good searching and work to restore it.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0