Lay-by Is where CM takes a break from the serious
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Issues and our correspondent The Hawk takes a sideways look at road haulage. If you have suitable tales, charitable -works, or quirky vehicles, drop The Hawk a fine at Commercial Motor, lay-by, Rm 11203, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5A5, or fax him on 0181652 8969.
BLACK BEAUTY
Like many a small boy the Hawk has always secretly harboured ambitions to he a fireman. So naturally he was green with envy when he saw that Garry Walter not only has his own, but It's probably the only black fire appliance ever used in this country.
The black beauty is based on a 1966 Ford Anglia 305E 10cyrt van. Gerry, a professional organist from Staplehurst, Kent, bought It nine years ago and has fully restored and equipped it. The van originally belonged to the Leicester and Rutland Fire Brigade. A previous van had been damaged in an accident and, unable to get a red replacement, the brigade bought a black van and derided they liked the colour.
When Gerry acquired the vehicle it came complete with its history, including a record of every firefighter who had driven It. They used It mainly for checking out fire hydrants, although it was equipped to deal with small fires. Gerry keeps a full set of modern fire