Water Tender With 'COBRA' Cutting Equipment

[Tim_w]

Hello  All

Continuing with the Playmobil fire service theme and next on the list is a Water Tender (WT) with a difference. This vehicle is the only appliance in my brigade to be fitted with specialist COBRA cutting equipment. The COBRA is a branch, which shoots a jet of water through concrete walls allowing the gases in a contained fire to be cooled before fire fighters enter to tackle the blaze.
In real life the West Midlands fire service has one such appliance fitted with the COBRA equipment. This appliance automatically attends any five-pump fire in the event the equipment is needed.

The first two pictures show my Water Tender and its customised pump bay, which has been slightly improved since the first version. 

[Tim_w]

The differences between the appliance fitted with the COBRA and my standard WTL can be seen in these two pictures. The first picture shows how the new equipment has been fitted into the space where the tool drawer used to be. Underneath the equipment bay is a hose reel, fitted as standard to my other Water Tenders it also essential for the operation of the COBRA. 

This second picture is a close up showing the tank where water and abrasive paste is mixed before being pumped through the hose reel. The space to the right of the tank and below the shelf is where the branch is stored when not in use.

[Tim_w]

Here are three pictures the first of which demonstrates how the branch is set up when in use. Applying the high-pressure jet, which comes out of the branch is enough to eventually punch through a concrete wall and even glass.

In the second picture you can see what the branch looks like before it is connected to the hose reel.

The third and final picture shows an amber light mounted to the roof of the appliance. This is used to light up the fire ground and shows that the COBRA equipment is available and ready for use if required.

[Tim_w]

Thank you all for taking the time to look at these pictures. I hope you found the information informative but easy to understand.

Kindest Regards  Tim

[Richard]

Hello, Tim_w, Playmofire and FireChief ...

Thank you for all the great photos and wonderful explanations!

I was wondering ... this usually always gets me into trouble ...

Since there seems to be a lot of interest here at playmofriends in Playmobil's "Rescue" theme, would it make sense to have a special section like the one that Sylvia set up for "Trains" ...

BTW, has everyone seen that the "classic" fire engine has been reintroduced as set 7786?



Thanks again for sharing a very interesting theme.

All the best,
Richard

[Meg]

Tim,
You have explained it so thoroughly, I dont have to ask questions about how or why.

I do have a question about the clean up of the cobra.
Should I assume that after every use of the machine, that it has to be cleaned out with water to prevent the abasive paste from sticking inside the hose, or other equipment?

Ever curious,
Meg

[playmofire]

BTW, has everyone seen that the "classic" fire engine has been reintroduced as set 7786?

I'm planning to cover it in my review of Playmobil fire engines shortly as Robbie and I think Sylvia both asked for info on them.

[Morgan]

Another great firetruck  Thanks for posting 

[Tim_w]

Hello Richard, Meg, Gordon, Kristian

First of all thank you very much indeed for the kind feedback. As allways it is very much appreciated.
Richard: Thank you for the picture. The old fire engine is a welcome return particularly as it has a few really usefull parts. Having a separate forum for the Fire and Rescue theme is certainly be something to look into. It all depends on wether it would be considered viable to set up and wether other members would continue to show an interest if it was made separate.
Meg: Thank you for showing an interest in the fire theme  . It is allways a pleasure to answer your questions. The COBRA is certainly an interesting piece of equipment. I am not sure about the consistency or amount of paste used but i would imagine they would have to flush the unit out with clean water after use. It is certainly something i will look into further so i can find out for certain  .

Kindest Regards  Tim

[Richard]

It all depends on wether it would be considered viable to set up and wether other members would continue to show an interest if it was made separate.

Good point, Tim ...

The trains seemed to have "died" after getting their own separate section ...

All the best,
Richard