Kaiser-Jeep M530

6x6 Firetruck [ 1966 ]

Vehicles such as the M530 usually do not receive the recognition they deserve for the seemingly menial roles they play in the modern army.

Authored By: JR Potts, AUS 173d AB | Last Edited: 05/16/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Front left side view of a restored M530 Kaiser JEEP 6x6 firefighting vehicle; color

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

The Kaiser Jeep Model 530 6X6 was a firefighting truck that first saw production 1966. She was an important vehicle, oft-overlooked, but earned her keep by way of responding to the most dangerous and sometimes deadly missions - fire control. Her 6x6 traction and gear ratio, 5,000lb maximum payload and her 56 mile per hour top speed allowed her to get to where she was needed at a moment's notice. Production of the Model 530 began in 1964 under the Kaiser brand, to which some 150,000 examples were produced. Production was undertaken out of a former Studebaker truck plant in South Bend, Indiana.

The 530 model utility series was purchased by the United States military for all its branches of service but found most of its users in the United States Air Force. These systems were utilized to supplement the fire fighting teams stationed along the flight lines all over the world on American bases. The Model 530 had a dual fire fighting capability: able to fight electrically-based fires with foam or fuel-based fires with water. She was fitted with a 50-gallon fuel tank and prospered out to a range of 400 miles. She has the capacity to hold 600-gallons of water in an internal water tank. Water pressure at full blast was a reported 250lbs of pressure.

The design of the Kaiser Jeep Model 530 6X6 firefighting truck was such that every square inch of her was utilized for the carrying of the many required tools and devices needed in fighting fires. The cabin was a typical flat-faced rectangular design, featuring the driver on the left side and a passenger on the right. Along the driver's side of the truck were another four large storage compartments plus an open storage area for a fire extinguisher, this mounted close to the standing platform for easy access. On the passenger side there were three large storage compartments suitable for the storing of helmets and the all-important fire suits as well as hose nozzles or additional foam and water. Crowbars and other small hand-held tools (such as wrenches for activating hydrants) were also carried.

The rear of the 530 featured a standing platform that could carry three firefighters at the ready. Readily available to these individuals was the primary hose storage. Above their heads were two overhead crossbars holding a 24-foot (7m) extension ladder. Levers and controls for water flow values and additional storage for two 12-foot hard hoses were also present. The front of the vehicle had a heavy duty bumper fitted and the traditional red light blister was found on the top of the crew cab. Two flood lights were positioned externally along the sides of the forward cabin frame and integrated so the driver and passenger maintained full control in directing the light beams wherever they might be needed. Two different sound sirens were set along the front fender sides and the entire vehicle was appropriately painted over in the traditional fire engine red.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Service Year

1966

Origin

United States

Crew

5
CREWMEN

Production

150,000
UNITS

Kaiser-Jeep Corporation - USA

(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)

United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Utility
General utility-minded design to accomplish a variety of battlefield tasks, typically in a non-direct-combat fashion.

✓ Special Purpose
Special purpose design developed to accomplish an equally-special battlefield role or roles.

Length

23.0 ft
7 m

Width

9.8 ft
3 m

Height

8.5 ft
2.59 m

Weight

13,536 lb
6,140 kg

Tonnage

6.8 tons
LIGHT

(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Kaiser-Jeep M530 production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)

Powerplant: 1 x OA-331 Continental gasoline I-6 engine OR LDS-427 Turbo multi-fuel I-6 engine OR LDS-465 multi-fuel I-6 engine OR Caterpillar 3116 diesel I-6 engine devliering 127 to 170 horsepower.

Speed

56.0 mph
(90.1 kph)

Range

400.0 mi
(643.7 km)

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Kaiser-Jeep M530 production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)

1 x Water Cannon

Supported Types

Graphical image of a tank automatic cannon

(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)

1 x 600 gallon water tank

M530 - Base Production Model Series Designation

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of the Bulge

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Kursk

Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War

Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War

Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur War

Military lapel ribbon for experimental military vehicles

Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.

Images Gallery

1 / 1

Front left side view of a restored M530 Kaiser JEEP 6x6 firefighting vehicle; color

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)