____________________________________________
The following is the third of a 3-part series from Dave Weaver, organizer of the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show www.EmergencyVehicleShow.com
____________________________________________
Details about the Engine 17 rig developments are being discussed on the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show Facebook page. Interested potential buyers can send a private message to Facebook.com/ChicagolandEmergencyVehicleShow or to the comments section of this post.
CFD Engine 69 with numbering for both Backdraft Engines 17 and 51. Tom McCarthy photo
Where they went…
-
80-287/D-372 E126 – rehabbed to E122 – Crushed in Blue Island in 1994
-
80-288/D-373 E73 – to E103 4/2/81 – (not rehabbed) – Crushed at Cicero Iron in 1984
-
80-289/D-374 E8 – rehabbed to E17/51/69 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts 8/28/96
-
80-290/D-375 E106 – rehabbed to E113 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts 9/4/96
-
80-291/D-376 E22 – rehabbed to E46 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts 9/9/96 (crushed)
-
80-292/D-377 E113 – this rig then saw a lot of action as a Shop’s spare at T61, O’Hare, E34, E19, E109, and E72 – rehabbed to E14 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts 8/29/96
-
80-293/D-378 E49 – rehabbed to E34 – Sold to a private party – Sold to PA FD
Engine 17 on 4-4-2004.
E17’s current condition…
-
The owner estimates that 75% of the rig is there with 20% of the parts needing to be purchased and 5% of the parts needing fabrication.
-
It has a complete Cummins NTF 365 Turbo-Diesel (365hp @ 2300 rpm).
-
It is missing an Allison HT70 6-speed overdrive transmission.
-
It is missing $1,100 worth of copper radiator cores – originally Mesabi radiator of MN
-
It has a Hale Q-2 2,000-GPM pump that is non-functional, but comes with a replacement PTO gear box, some pump valves and pump gauges stripped from E14 that can be rebuilt by SPAN gauges in WI with period correct backings for $30/ea. and a new pump gasket set from Hale.
-
It has a 500-gallon water tank and a 140-gallon foam tank that was added during the refurb.
-
It has a 50-gallon diesel tank.
-
It is 35′ long with a 178” wheelbase.
-
The original grille was stripped from the rig but replaced by a top-notch reproduction.
-
It has its’ original deck gun.
-
It needs diamond plate and steel work but comes with the refurb blueprints from E-ONE.
-
It has original Imron paint but could be repainted with a close matching 68-69 Dodge red.
-
It includes 500 feet of 5-inch LDH.
-
It includes functional lights, sirens, horns, and a period correct Motorola radio.
Engine 17 photographed 9-15-2012.
#1 by MP on February 5, 2013 - 4:38 PM
If you live in the Chicago area you may be in luck. Check the Facebook Backdraft Engine 17 page.
#2 by Chris on February 5, 2013 - 3:34 PM
I’d really like to know where I can buy or help restore one
#3 by Chris on February 5, 2013 - 2:32 PM
Is there anymore out there that can be bought I really want one of the fighting 17 engines
#4 by MP on January 15, 2013 - 3:37 PM
Facebook now has a page for the refurbishment. Look for Backdraft Engine 17.
#5 by Mike on December 7, 2012 - 5:44 PM
im looking for help trying to track down a HT70 6 speed transmission and #1 bell housing can anyone help ?
#6 by danny on November 26, 2012 - 12:58 PM
i believe it was said once that the rig out in PA was used in the film but it wasnt the star i believe it was at the chemical plant fire lettered as engine 51 and it was engine 51 in some scenes where engine 17 was at the same location. and in the deleted scenes on the dvd i believe it was the rig at the mocked up fire academy. however they did use one of the rigs for double duty. there was a pic from filming out there where the rig said engine 17 on the door of the rig but the back of the rig had 51 on it and 51 under the officers side windshield
#7 by FFPM571 on November 26, 2012 - 6:28 AM
Dave Weaver can give the specifics. But the Ward /Ranger/E-One on the east coast was from the same bunch that was refurbed at the same time, but that engine was not used in the movie.
#8 by Mark Placek Asst. Chief on November 25, 2012 - 7:53 PM
I would like to know who i could talk to about E-17 from the backdraft movie. I am an officer with East Norwegian Twp Fire Dept. We combined the companies, Independent Hose Co. #1 and East Norwegian Twp Emergency Services within the last year. We have an engine that was purchased years ago by ENTES from a broker and was in service as a front line unit. They were told it was one of the 5 units used for the movie. The unit is now OOS due to engine problems. However we still have the unit. The records from ENTES were either misplaced or destroyed. We are looking to let a collector buy it for refurbishment. Any help would be appreciated.
#9 by Dave Weaver on September 24, 2012 - 1:44 PM
Jeffrey, I am not sure who would know which of the CFD American LaFrance engines or trucks were used in Backdraft. The folks at the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago would probably be able to help as they do have some smart apparatus historians in their ranks. I suspect there are some readers of this blog who might be able to fill you in. I can tell you that there are some CFD American LaFrance engines and trucks in Jackson, MN at Erickson’s. One is marked as Engine 80 and I was told that it was in Backdraft.
#10 by danny on September 24, 2012 - 1:07 AM
jeffery id love to see pics of what you got also if there is a shops number on the rig i can try to track some info down for you
#11 by chris r on September 23, 2012 - 5:23 PM
THANK YOU ! I found your article very informative and interesting about the WARD LAFRANCES , they have always been one of my favorite apparatus because that was on the show EMERGENCY when i was a youth .
#12 by jeffery redman on September 23, 2012 - 4:44 PM
I am wondering if you know who to contact about what trucks were in the movie. I purchased a 75 american lafrance century from Ericksons it looks like truck 24 but not sure. any info would be helpful! I am planning to resore and put in parades! Eventuly bringing it to your event.