The Mack C-model in New York City

Following World War II, cab-forward fire apparatus were introduced, a major milestone in fire apparatus evolution. American LaFrance was first in 1945. Crown followed in 1951. Struggling Ahrens-Fox, in conjunction with the C.D. Beck Company, a manufacturer of buses, designed and introduced their cab-forward design, Models ECB and FCB, in 1956. That same year, Mack Trucks purchased the C.D. Beck Company for the purpose of building inter-city buses. Mack also purchased the rights to the Ahrens-Fox cab-forward design at that time, and in 1957 introduced the Mack C-model fire apparatus chassis using the Ahrens-Fox/C.D. Beck design. The C-model was an instant success taking a large market share of apparatus production.
New York City’s first C-model apparatus were a total of 52 750 GPM pumpers with 375-gallon water tanks delivered in 1958. These were the result of three separate bids for 43 plus one additional unit with a torque convertor (automatic transmission) in 1956 and another 8 in 1957. These had three control handles on the pump panel and one on the officer’s side, along with an engine air vent on the chauffeur’s side. The single unit with the automatic transmission was a pilot program as all prior New York City apparatus had standard transmissions. This unit differed from the other 1958 models by having a chrome bumper instead of a red-painted one. the engine air vent on the officer’s side, and had a slide-in holder for unit identification numbers as it was intended to reassign this apparatus to multiple units for evaluation.
Another 12 pumpers were also received in 1958. These were 1000 GPM models with 375-gallon tanks, engine air vents on the chauffeur’s side, four control handles on the pump panel and two on the officer’s side.
Seven additional 750 GPM pumpers and another 13 with 1000 GPM pumps, all with 375-gallon water tanks were, delivered in 1959. These were almost identical to the 1958 models, with the major difference being the engine air vent being located on the officer’s side.
Thirteen Mack C-model tillers were delivered during 1959. These were open cab models. Two were equipped with 100-foot Magirus aerials while the remaining 11 had 85-foot Maxim aerials. All had the engine air vent on the chauffeur’s side.
Another 13 almost identical tillers with 85-foot Maxim aerials were delivered the following year. The major difference on these was the location of the engine air vent being on the officer’s side.
With the construction of high-rise buildings in Manhattan booming, the Department looked to acquire aerial ladders that were higher than what was then in use. Two seven-section 146-foot Magirus aerials were purchased, mounted on 1961 Mack C-model chassis. These were the first rear-mounts in service in New York City. These aerials were equipped with a cart (some called it an elevator) that ran along the rails so it would not be necessary to climb the aerial. For a variety of reasons, these apparatus failed to meet expectations. Their European design did not provide sufficient space to carry all of the portable ladders and equipment carried by a New York City truck company, and they were plagued by mechanical problems, not the least of which was the elevator derailing while going up and down the aerial. After a short stint as regular truck company apparatus they were regulated to special unit status, being designated High-Ladders, and responded only on special-call by the Incident Commander.
Eleven Mack C-model 1000 GPM pumpers with 250-gallon tanks were delivered during 1962. These had red painted bumpers and compartments on either side of the rear wheel. Ten were gasoline powered while the eleventh rig was powered by a diesel engine, the first diesel powered fire apparatus on New York City’s roster. It also had an air filter housing located atop the engine compartment.
One of the 1962 pumpers was later outfitted as the test bed for the Friction Reduction Agent System, later called Rapid Water. The apparatus was modified with a large tank installed in the hose bed, along with an injection module and controls.
Eight very similar 1000 GPM pumpers were received during 1963. These differed from the 1962 models by having chrome bumpers and 275-gallon tanks.
For several years, New York City had been working with engineers from Mack Trucks to develop an elevating platform apparatus that was designed specifically for operation within New York City and took into consideration the types of structures as well as the narrow streets, severe parking conditions, overhead wires, and elevated rapid transit structures that existed throughout the city. A concept model was constructed by Mack Trucks on a B-model chassis and after modifications, the first production model Aerialscope was delivered to New York City during July, 1964 built on a C-model chassis. The apparatus was equipped with a 75-foot Truco boom and was gasoline powered.
Ten Mack C-95 1000 GPM pumpers with 375-gallon tanks were delivered in 1965. Diesel power and automatic transmissions became standard for New York City pumpers starting with these apparatus. They had a very prominent diesel exhaust stack positioned on the officer’s side at the rear of the cab, and a very distinctive whistle sound when accelerating or decelerating.
The Super Pumper System was also delivered during 1965. When originally designed, this was to be a two-piece system. The Tender was designed to carry large hose reels on which 8000 feet of 4-1/2-inch hose was to be carried. Unfortunately, technology of the time prohibited this design and to compensate, three “satellite” hose wagons, built on 1965 Mack C-chassis were substituted. Each would carry 2000 feet of hose, with the remaining 2000 feet being carried in a traditional hose bed on the tender.
The 1965 pumpers and hose wagons were the last New York City apparatus delivered with the traditional subway strap hand holds at the rear step.
A second Mack C-85 75-foot tower was delivered in 1966. This one had a diesel engine and an Eaton boom. The major differences between this and the 1964 model were the closed compartment in front of the outriggers, control pedestal configuration, and lack of cab running lights.
Four additional Mack C-85 75-foot towers were delivered in 1969.These were likely 1967 models that were delayed in production due to issues at Eaton. They were the first delivered with external waterways. MT6901 had a white boom while they remaining three had gray booms. They were the last Mack C-model apparatus delivered to New York City.
Also during 1969, the two 1961 Mack rear-mounts underwent an in-house rebuild. The Magirus aerials were removed and replaced with 100-foot Grove chain-driven aerials. Other modifications included installation of seats beneath the aerial, along with protective roll-down coverings, and a ladder rack on the officer’s side of the vehicles. These modifications allowed both apparatus to be more readily used as standard apparatus for New York City truck companies.
Ten Mack MB tractors were purchased in 1969 to replace worn out tractors on various tillers. One replaced the 1960 Mack C-model tractor on Registration #437.
In 1978, Baker retrofitted the hydraulics and installed new boom controls on all four 1969 Mack/Eaton towers.
The final act of New York City’s Mack C-model history also took place in 1978. ComCoach rebuilt the three 1965 Mack C-model Satellite hose wagons. The finished product had virtually no resemblance to the original product, with new cabs and bodies added to the original chassis. Only the engines, piping and Stangs were retained, along with the chassis. 
Late in 1967, Mack trucks introduced the CF-model, which replaced the C-model. A total of 1,055 C-model fire apparatus were constructed. New York City operated 150 of these. As delivered, they were among the best appearing apparatus ever designed. Unfortunately, during their lifespan it became necessary to outfit these apparatus with protective plywood coverings. They performed outstanding service and helped greatly in getting the New York City Fire Department through the “War Years” of extreme fire duty and responses.
Aside from the New York City Fire Department’s Mack C-model fire apparatus, several other agencies operated C-model Mack pumpers within the City. These included the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey at the George Washington Bridge, The United States Coast Guard on Governor’s Island, the Signal 8-8 Fire Buff Club, and several of the ten volunteer fire companies that are still active within the City limits.