The Dennis Dagger is a compact fire engine manufactured by Dennis Specialist Vehicles from 1998 to 2007. It was built for fire brigades operating in narrow rural areas unsuitable for full-size fire engines, a market previously explored by the Dennis DS series.[1]

Dennis Dagger
An ex-demonstrator Dennis Dagger of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
Overview
TypeFire engine
ManufacturerDennis Specialist Vehicles
Production2002-2007
AssemblySlyfield Industrial Estate, Guildford
DesignerDennis Fire
Body and chassis
ClassLarge goods vehicle (N2, N3)
Body styleCab over engine
RelatedDennis Sabre
Powertrain
EngineCummins C260 Euro 3, turbocharged and intercooled
TransmissionAllison '2000'-series automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase3,650 mm (143.7 in)
Length3,800 mm (149.6 in)
Width2,300 mm (90.6 in)
Height2,535 mm (99.8 in)
Kerb weight12,500 kg (27,558 lb)[1]
Chronology
PredecessorDennis DS series

First designed in 1997 with the internal codename of F98 (short for Fire 1998), production would begin by 2002.[2] Visually and mechanically similar to the full-size Dennis Sabre, the Dennis Dagger could be bodied with a John Dennis Coachbuilders body.[3] Sales were originally aimed at the Kent and Devon and Somerset fire services, but in competition with other narrow truck conversions such as the MAN truck range, the Dagger sold poorly, going on to be the final new fire engine produced by Dennis Specialist Vehicles before the company's closure in 2007.[1]

Operators of the Dennis Dagger included the Hertfordshire and West Sussex fire brigades,[2] with the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the Dublin Fire Brigade respectively operating two former demonstrators. A development chassis was registered as late as 2011.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Goundry, Andy (23 March 2020). Dennis Buses and Other Vehicles. Crowood. pp. 158–159. ISBN 978-1-78500-708-8. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Around The Show". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 13 June 2002. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Dennis Dagger Compact Water Tender". John Dennis Fire. Archived from the original on 30 December 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2021.