The name Metropolitan referred to anything 1000 GPM or larger. The Scout was 500 GPM, the Protector was 600 and the Invader was 750. "ALF used names during this time period to describe pump capacities. This was important during the wartime years that they were in production. They were much less costly to build and used less metal than their bulbous big brothers. Finally, two American LaFrance 750 gpm pumpers. Differing from the "Series" rigs, they had narrow bodies with midship pumps and V-shaped windshields or commercial cabs. In 1956, the department received its second tractor-drawn aerial, an 85-foot model from American LaFrance. "As for the "Type" 500 and 600 rigs, the only way to differentiate them is by the model number, either having a 5 or 6 in it. On the 600, there are four thin bars between the thicker ones. Also, on the 500, there were three thin grille bars between each thicker grille bar. On the 600 Series, the gap gets wider towards the top, as in the Newton rig. On a 500 Series, the gap between the grille and fender stays the same size throughout the radius.
One of the changes included moving the motor a few inches forward on the chassis which resulted in the grille being farther from the fenders at the top. The two are almost identical in appearance.
1956 AMERICAN LAFRANCE SERIES
"The 500 Series was introduced in 1938 and replaced by the 600 Series in 1942. See the red Pioneer Valley rig earlier on in the thread. The 500/600 series had them just behind the engine (motor) and in front of the seat. Note it has the pump controls behind the seat. I keep hoping there's someone among us out there who can get the photos from the recently crashed site and restore them.
The classical style of the American LaFrance apparatus is easily recognized. Over the years, American LaFrance built thousands of fire trucks including chemical engines, combination pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, Aero Chief snorkel trucks, and airport crash trucks. ALF delivered its first motorized fire engine in 1907. It also operated aCanadian plant in Toronto, Ontario, where it sold apparatus under the name Lafrance-Foamite, until 1971. Its corporate offices and manufacturing plant were in Elmira, New York. The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company was formed in 1903. Apparatus built by International included horse drawn steamers, hose wagons, and hook & ladders to chemical engines, water towers and combinations. The International Fire Engine Company, corporate predecessor of American LaFrance, built some steam power fire engines between 1903-1907. Founded in 1873 by Truckson LaFrance and his partners as the LaFrance Manufacturing Company selling hand powered equipment. With roots that go back to approximately 1832, the companies that went on to become American LaFrance built hand-drawn, horse-drawn, and steam-powered fire engines.