Matchbox Lesney 9a Dennis Fire Escape

Matchbox Lesney 9a Dennis Fire Escape

This is a model of the Dennis F2 Braidwood Pump Escape from 1948 or so, probably a lot earlier too. It holds both the 9a and 9b slots in the Lesney range. The first one, 9a came out in 1955 and was replaced by 9b in 1958 which was in turn replaced in 1959 by the Merryweather unit.

If you can see daylight under the driver's legs it tells you that it is 9a the first version, the fact you can see daylight between the drivers arms and under his legs tells you it is from the early days of 9a. Later on these are closed. The 9a casting also lacks a front bumper and detail on the grille.