![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.autotrade.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/80-Years-of-Handheld-Tyre-Inflation-Launch-Graphic-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIn 1945, PCL released a\u00a0Vertex air line gauge\u00a0– the \u201cspeedy and accurate\u201d MK2\u00a0– which\u00a0fast became a favourite in garages and service stations due to its reliable performance. <\/p>\n
The popular handheld tool became the\u00a0MK3\u00a0in\u00a01992,\u00a0then made way\u00a0for the\u00a0MK4 in 2016. Eight decades\u00a0later\u00a0it\u00a0has transformed into the\u00a0Airforce MK4,\u00a0trusted by professionals for generations and still proudly\u00a0\u201cMade in Sheffield\u201d.\u00a0This model, introduced in 2016,\u00a0was swiftly\u00a0followed by the\u00a0first digital\u00a0version,\u00a0the\u00a0Accura MK4.\u00a0Both had their warranty extended to\u00a0two years\u00a0in 2020.<\/p>\n
PCL marked the exact date the design for the original MK2\u202finflator was finalised with the\u00a0launch of an icon\u00a0as a badge of quality. Now, to celebrate\u00a080 years of evolution\u00a0and pay homage to its highly valued distributors, PCL has created a special edition red Airforce MK4 as a tribute to the past logos and product lines that\u00a0have helped\u00a0shape PCL\u2019s reputation for design and engineering excellence.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The\u00a0eye-catching red version\u00a0gives a nod to\u00a0PCL\u2019s provision of a\u00a0reconditioning and recalibration service at\u00a0its\u00a0Eyre Street factory\u00a0in the early 80s and 90s, when\u00a0reconditioned gauges were painted red to make them easily identifiable.<\/p>\n
PCL managing director Lee Wright said: \u201cWe are enormously proud to have reached this milestone, with the MK4 continuing to \u201cmake its mark\u201d for its fast, accurate inflation and its durable design. It remains the all-time product of choice for users who prefer a linear inflator.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, we could not ensure its widespread accessibility to our customers worldwide without the support and service of our excellent distributors. Therefore, to mark this milestone, we have given some of our longest standing partners a special edition red Airforce MK4 to display on their trade counters.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs such, we thought it fitting\u00a0to make this celebration a shared tribute to the MK4\u2019s illustrious history and\u00a0its\u00a0lasting impact\u00a0by including some testaments and trips\u00a0down memory lane from our partners.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In 1945, PCL released a\u00a0Vertex air line gauge\u00a0– the \u201cspeedy and accurate\u201d MK2\u00a0– which\u00a0fast became a favourite in garages and service stations due to its reliable performance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3164,"featured_media":35228,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[643],"class_list":["post-35227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-pcl"],"yoast_head":"\n