The Alvis Salamander fire truck was developed by the British manufacturing company in 1956 and used primarily by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force. It was powered by a Rolls Royce B81 straight-8 engine and featured firefighting equipment from the Pyrene Company Limited. The Salamander used the same 6-wheel-drive chassis and other components as the Alvis Saladin armoured car, the Alvis Saracen armoured personnel carrier, and the Alvis Stalwart, which was developed later.
The Matchbox #63 Airport Foamite Crash Tender, based on the Alvis Salamander, was first released in 1965 and was produced in only two variations: with a silver hose nozzle or gold as you see here. I picked up this example for combined shipping when I went after the Matchbox Ford GT on eBay. It’s missing the white plastic hoses and ladder from the top and it has a saggy hose nozzle, but in other respects is in nice condition.
I should note that the Matchbox Airport Foamite Crash Tender has molded white plastic lettering on the sides, a feature that I can’t say I’ve seen on any other models, Matchbox or otherwise.
Though the Crash Tender has no windows or interior, it does have a lot of other nice details.
Matchbox | 1965-1968 | #63 | Airport Foamite Crash Tender | red with white plastic lettering on sides, gold nozzle, silver grille, unpainted metal insert and base | England | black plastic wheels
Several of the Alvis vehicles were made into Matchbox models. Click here to see my Matchbox Alvis Saladin, here to see my Matchbox Alvis Saracen, and here to see my Matchbox Alvis Stalwart.
[Edit 06/23/24] Awhile back I ordered some 3D printed reproduction parts on eBay. They were produced in a kind of milky-looking material and had some imperfections and extra material here and there, so after a little clean up and a couple of coats of satin white, I feel like I got them looking okay.
The Race Case MBX 