There are two important reasons why a distributor should
have available, and be able to demonstrate, a Willys 'Commando' Fire
Truck:
First, fire authorities seldom buy apparatus before
seeing and testing it.
Second, assurance of prompt delivery can be influential
in clinching a sale.
BACKGROUND OF THE WI LLYS 'COMMANDO' FIRE TRUCK
Willys made a large contribution to solving the problem
of effective fire fighting when it designed its 4-wheel drive Fire
Truck.
Here you'll find:
What it can do
What its performance means to the prospective
purchaser
The reasons why it does what it does
These will become its sales features. When used in
conjunction with the application section of this manual they will
indicate the potential markets. Then with a successful
demonstration, most of the job is done.
Markets for the Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck are
worldwide. Danger of fire exists everywhere, yet fire apparatus can
seldom be found except in large cities. There are two reasons for this.
First, fire trucks are generally very ex-pensive. As a rule, only cities
can afford them. Second, they are usually big and bulky and cannot
travel over rough terrain or through alleys and other tight spots to
reach fire or water sources.
The Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck incorporates all the
features and benefits of larger apparatus yet is less expensive, more
maneuverable, and has 4-wheel drive. These features make the Willys
'Commando' Fire Truck unique, and determine its market the world over.
DESCRIPTION OF WI LLYS FIRE TRUCK
The Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck is an integral,
self-sufficient piece of fire fighting apparatus.
It is built on a Willys - 4WD truck chassis. It has a
6-cylinder, 115 HP engine - whose power can be applied to all four
wheels when necessary.
The Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck is equipped with a
front-mounted, Waterous, 500-gallon-per-minute pump, driven directly
from the engine crankshaft. This pump is Class "A" NBFU Underwriters
approved. It has repeatedly delivered over 500 GPM at 150 pounds
pressure in twelve hour continuous pumping tests -- proof of its ability
to fight fires.
By carrying its own water, the Willys 'Commando' Fire
Truck can begin fighting a fire immediately upon arrival. The baffled
booster tank contains 150 gallons of water, used mainly to feed the 150
feet of one-inch booster line. By its size and position, the booster
line can be immediately unrolled to give initial coverage when first
arriving at the fire. The line can be equipped with a "fog" nozzle to
spray high pressure water vapor on the flames.
The regular crew comprises four men, although the truck
can carry more or be operated by one man only if necessary.
The Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck can be equipped with
extension and roof ladders, pike pole, extinguishers, siren, and
flasher. In brief, it can carry most of the equipment that is normally
found on a fire truck.
PRINCIPAL SALES FEATURES
The Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck has an exceptionally
broad market because it incorporates the following important features:
"Go-anywhere " ability
Excellent performance.
Economy in original cost
Economy and simplicity of operation and maintenance
Safety
There could be no better combination to support the sale
of any vehicle. For successful selling, all of these features must be
explained to the customer and then demonstrated.
"Go-Anywhere" Ability
The Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck can carry equipment, a
full water supply, and a crew at highway speeds. Off the roads it can go
anywhere that 4-wheel traction will permit. The engine transmits power
in six forward speeds with the suitable reduction in the transfer case.
This makes the Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck especially useful in rough
country - - in areas where roads are either not improved or nonexistent.
Its traction will pull it through mud, snow, sand, ice,
and up steep hills. When rear wheels lose traction, the vehicle can
still move because:
(a) With 4-wheel drive power is transmitted to the front
wheels making them pull.
(b) Weight is distributed over the front and rear axles.
The pump is carried forward, water in the center, and hose and crew on
the rear.
(c) The non-directional 7. 50 x 15 - 10 ply tires with
puncture seal tubes give a firm grip on all types of terrain.
This combination of power and traction enables the
Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck to go into areas no other vehicle can
penetrate. It fights field fires right on the spot. It climbs steep
hills, pulls through sand, mud, snow, or ice. It gets to the fire -- and
it gets to the water source. These are extremely important features in
fire protection. No other apparatus has such a desirable combination at
such a low price.
Excellent Performance
This is a natural result of the Willys 'Commando' Fire
Truck's power, ruggedness, and maneuverability - power to travel at high
speed or to fight its way through adverse terrain and power to pump 500
GPM from hydrant or other water sources. That's enough to supply two
2-1/2 inch hose lines and the 1 inch booster line. Such operation is
similar to other 500-gallon pumpers of the most expensive type. In fact,
the Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck's Waterous pump is standard on many
higher -priced fire engines.
It can travel and pump simultaneously -- a feature not often
encountered in other equipment. Traveling over the roughest terrain, the
Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck can draw water from its booster line while in
motion! Such operation is invaluable in field fires or forest fires because
the booster line can be put into use while the truck is advancing against
the fire.
Most other 4-wheel drive fire apparatus existing today are
conversions from ordinary 2-wheel drive vehicles which were not designed for
such rough usage. Because the Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck was built for
rough usage it is especially attractive to suburban departments, outlying
communities, lumber camps, industry, forest and park conservation
authorities, large estates, institutions, airports, and many other
applications.
It is maneuverable because of its relatively short wheelbase
(118 inches), its small turning radius (less than 24 feet), and its compact
size (overall length of 242 inches and width of 81 inches). This
vehicle can get to the fire quickly and surely. It can knife through traffic
more easily, dart into back alleys which are inaccessible to larger
apparatus, cut sharp corners, or turn around in very confined positions --
and all of this in much less time than other fire apparatus. It gets right
into the heart of the fire and applies water or fog within seconds, when a
saving of a few minutes can make a difference of thousands of dollars in the
ultimate damage.
Economy in original cost
Its price is about half that of bulkier fire trucks with
similar pumping power and equipment. This puts the Willys 'Commando' Fire
Truck within reach of many communities or industrial plants which have been
unable to have protection because of the large initial cost. Thus, in many
places, the Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck will often be the first and only
piece of equipment -- the fire truck that has made protection possible to
all.
Economy, simplicity of operation and maintenance are
important features of the Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck. The Willys
'Commando' Fire Truck's lines are functional and not susceptible to damage.
But if an accident should occur, Willys 'Commando' Fire Truck service is
available throughout the world. With this feature you have a distinct
advantage over sellers of competitive apparatus. Parts can be readily
obtained and installed. Since the apparatus is built on the chassis of the
Willys Truck, the operational parts are all standard. The Willys 'Commando'
Fire Truck will not be idle long, and its district will not be unprotected
for more than the bare minimum repair time.
Safety is assured because of the Fire Truck's 4-wheel drive,
powerful brakes, rugged construction, reserve power, and puncture seal tubes
with 10-ply tires. The 4-wheel drive gives it the extra traction and safety
on ice, snow, sand, and mud. I t can round turns and make stops with less
danger of skids and spins than 2-wheel drive fire apparatus. The rugged
construction enables it to take greater stress and strain without the usual
damage. The reserve power, obtained by gearing down into lower gears or low
transfer, enables it to pick up speed for quick get-away o r for passing, or
to reduce and control its speed when descending hills.
THIS COMBINATION OF TRACTION, RUGGEDNESS, AND POWER MAKES
THE WI LLYS 'COMMANDO' FIRE TRUCK A VEHICLE THAT CAN BE RELIED ON TO BRING
WATER, CREW, AND EQUIPMENT TO THE FIRE AND BACK, SAFELY.
