Bedford TK Fire Engine

Following a tip off from the Civil Protection Department (who were called out to fight a fire in the vicinity), George Said went to have a look at a field and a number of vehicles residing in it.  A meeting with the field’s owner led to a recce the following Saturday by the rest of the team.

On arrival we immediately saw a Bedford TK fire engine formerly of the Police Fire Brigade.  On closer inspection it started to look tattier than ever.  The woodwork in particular being in very poor condition.   Getting hold of it started to seem less attractive by the minute.  Later that week George had a word with Station Officer Frank Axiaq at Hal Far Fire Station.  This gentleman was aquainted with Twanny Fenech of Ta’ Pilatu Towing Services, the owner of the field and the TK.  Mr Axiaq promised to contact Mr.Fenech and true to his word he did.  The result was a very generous offer by Mr. Fenech with regards the TK which also included a Ford D series fire engine on permanent loan.  In this light the TK suddenly started to look attractive again.  A deal was struck and a date set for the recovery operation.

For the umpteenth time, Emmanuel Vella & Sons came to our rescue.  When approached they immediately offered us the services of a truck and two crewmen to move the TK.  But we had been putting off the next problem: where to put it.  Mr. Maurice Vassallo Eminyan of Medcast Ltd. Hal Far provided the solution.  Being a vehicle enthusiast himself, he very kindly offered to help out with the preservation of our latest acquisition in a hangar at Hal Far out of which his company operates.   With all the bits of the jigsaw falling into place, we gave the green light for the operation, D-Day being set for Saturday the 5th of July 2008.  H-Hour was a bit less exciting, we had to meet the E. V & S truck and crew at 08:00 in the morning.  This meant an early start on a Saturday morning, never a good thing!  Still, we bit the bullet and George, Malcolm Mifsud and myself (Mario Zammit) duly turned up and set to work.

This particular recovery operation was the easiest one yet for us.  There was ample space for access to the TK in the field and even at the other end, the former aircraft hangar at Hal Far, things went swimmingly.  We pulled the TK around using the trusty Land Rover 90 and maneuvered it into position.  The E. V. & S. ERF was then hitched to the TK by means of a tow bar and the slow pull to Hal Far began.  The rest was academic.  The TK is now safely under cover.  This should halt any further deterioration due to the elements.  We plan to eventually restore it to its former glory and with the relevant permission, exhibit the TK in the colours of the former Malta Police Fire Brigade.

This whole operation would not have been possible without the assistance and co operation of the organizations and people listed below.  Our heartfelt thanks to them all:

Jonathan Vella, Emmanuel Vella & Sons
Station Officer Frank Axiaq, ,  Hal Far Fire Station, C.P.D.
Mr. Twanny Fenech, Ta’ Pilatu Towing Services
Mr. Maurice Vassallo Eminyan, Medcast Ltd.