I'M PARTIAL TO SUTPHENS. THE DEPARTMENT I WAS ON HAS AN ALL SUTPHEN FLEET NOW. 3 OF THEM. WHILE I WAS THERE, WE HAD A 62 GMC, WHICH WAS CONVERTED TO A 1500 GALLON TANKER. A 46 DODGE. THEN A 76 SEAGRAVE, THEN A 70 PIRSCH. WE ALSO HAD A 76 MACK FROM NEW YORK CITY THAT WAS REFURBED. THEN CAME THE SUTPHENS. IT'S BEEN NOTHING BUT SINCE. THE TOWN I LIVE IN HAS 3 SUTPHENS.
I still love the first engine I worked off of--a 1986 Pierce Dash. it was one of five identical units the district bought, and very basic: 1000 gpm, 750 gallons of water, with B foam. They were built to military spec, and slightly underpowered; but very nimble.
In the US firefighting circles it generally means an aerial appliance of some description. Where I am from a truck is just that, a vehicle for transporting things from one place to another. We have fire appliances, the description of which covers what you guys call engines, tankers and trucks.
My favorite is well two really. A 1965 Hahn 500 gal tank 750 pump that was the first new engine our company ever owned. I learned how to drive a stick on it. And a 1956 mack that could out pump anything around today. It had a Banger ladder mounted on top.