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.
