Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt19)

Saving the most impressive of the CFD turret wagons for the last, this article includes images from Jack Connors that show all sides and closeups of 6-7-3, otherwise known as Big John when it was new.

View of the rear and driver’s side in front of Engine 8’s house. Jack Connors photo

Overhead shot from the second floor. Jack Connors photo

Closeup of the hydraulic controls. Jack Connors photo

Hose inlets. Jack Connors photo

View from the rear. Jack Connors photo

The two guns as seen from the rear. Jack Connors photo

Hydraulic lift cylinder. Jack Connors photo

On-board pump. Jack Connors photo

On-board generator. Jack Connors photo

Another view of the two massive turrets. Jack Connors photo

Additional master streams could be deployed off the front bumper. Jack Connors photo

Impressive front end with chevron striping on the bumper. Jack Connors photo

The previous article in this series (pt 18) is HERE and an earlier post featuring Big John is HERE.

Tags: CFD Deluge Wagon Big John, Chicago Civil Defense Fire and Rescue, Chicago FD Deluge Wagon, Chicago FIre Department Big John, Chicago Fire Department deluge wagon 6-7-3, Chicago Fire Department turret wagon, Chicago Fire Department Turret Wagon Big John, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-3, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, Jack Connors, John F. Plant, massive custom built fire truck in the Chicago FD

This entry was posted on April 26, 2013, 7:54 AM and is filed under Fire Department History, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

6 Comments (and one trackback)

Pingback: Chicago FD Turret Wagon History 6-7-3 (pt20) « chicagoareafire.com
#1 by Scott on April 28, 2013 - 9:36 AM

I hit send before done! To continue, the rear inlets as I understood where fed by Engines. The small on board pump if I recall and understood was for the front turrets on the bumper. Maybe “JC” can clarify.
#2 by Scott on April 28, 2013 - 9:32 AM

There is no pump on Big John. It is fed by Engines.
#3 by Rich on April 27, 2013 - 3:59 PM

Where is big john now? These are great pic ofthe rig.
#4 by Bill Post on April 26, 2013 - 7:34 PM

These are by far the best and most detailed photos that I have ever seen of Big John (673). I can’t help but wonder where the pump controls were and if the CFD had required an engineer to operate the pump.
#5 by Bill Post on April 26, 2013 - 7:29 PM

As far as I know John Plant was a fire protection engineer who had worked for the CFD. I remember seeing a picture of him once. I am sure that there must be some people on this site who know more details on John Plant then I do.
#6 by Jeff B- 314 on April 26, 2013 - 4:08 PM

Graet Pictures! But, who is John F. Plant?? Thanks