From Fire Replicas:
Arriving ahead of schedule …
CFD Autocar Squads 3 and/or 4, it is now time to complete your order. Models are shipping in about 30 days.
Fire Replicas models – Chicago FD Autocar Squads 3 and 4
First come, first serve. Sure to sell quickly!
Squads 3 & 4 are limited in production. Finalize your order now to secure yours before they sell out. First production sold out in less than 3 weeks!CFD Autocar Squad 3
CFD Autocar Squad 3
Busiest in the City…CFD Squad 3
Featuring the MARS Football light and delivery day configuration, Squad 3 is a must have to complete your collection.CFD Autocar Squad 4
CFD Autocar Squad 4
Squad 4 … Pride of the Northside
Squad 4 includes the MARS Aurora Borealis light on the cab roof as well as an accessory pack for optional display of a stokes basket and rear water cannons.Fire Replicas models – Chicago FD Autocar Squads 3 and 4
Order the 2-piece set and save $20!
Use code CFDSQUAD20 during checkout to save $20 when you purchase the two piece set. To place a phone order, call 1.800.481.2450.Not combinable with other offers. Expires 5/25/17.
1) Sign in to your account at www.firereplicas.com
2) Add Squad 3, Squad 4, or the Two-Piece Set to your cart.3) Complete the checkout processImportant Note: Your previous reservation will NOT automatically convert to a paid order. You must follow the above steps to create a new order.T o place a phone order, call 1.800.481.2450.
#1 by Phil Stenholm on June 25, 2017 - 11:46 PM
BILL: You almost got it.
1954 Autocar squad C-54 (SQD 4) was out of service (but was NOT scrapped) for about two years 1963-65 (probably after a wreck) and was replaced during that time by a 1949 Mack squad (ex-SQD 5 – C-47), but then C-47 was demolished in a crash in August 1965, and Autocar C-54 went back into service again as Squad 4.
1954 Autocar squad C-54 was retro-fitted with an Aurora Borealis light (which were installed — occasionally retroactively — during the years 1965-73) prior to going back into service. An Aurora Borealis light was also installed retroactively on 1954 Autocar C-51 (SQD 1) at about that same time.
Both Squad 4 and Squad 8 were assigned high-pressure rigs shortly after the McCormick Place fire in January 1967 (think that might have had something to do with Chief Volkamer’s somewhat bizarre “suggestion” in the early minutes of that fire?), and Autocar C-54 (SQD 4) was transferred to Squad 3 (replacing 1954 Autocar C-53) at that time. And ex-SQD 4 Autocar C-54 was the one that was demolished in April 1967 while running as Squad 3. So Squad 3’s Autocar DID have an Aurora Borealis light in 1967, but only because it was using C-54 (the former Squad 4).
I don’t know if the lettering was changed from “SQUAD No. 4” to “SQUAD No. 3” when C-54 was transferred to Squad 3 in 1967, but it probably was not. So actually the replicas are the two Autocar squads that ran as Squad 3 in the years 1954-67 (C-53 1954-67 and C-54 1967). Squad 3 was disbanded after the wreck in 1967.
#2 by Mike Mc on May 1, 2017 - 1:38 PM
Your right Bill, that really looks more like Salvage Squad 1.
#3 by Mel Marcus on April 30, 2017 - 9:57 PM
If the squads were standard why only squad 3 and 4. I was living in squad 11s area.
Thanks
Mel
#4 by Bill Post on April 30, 2017 - 5:36 PM
The squad with the Aurora Borealis light on the roof as opposed to the traditional red “football” light should really be numbered for Squad 1. Squad 1’s 1954 Autocar was retrofitted with an Aurora Borealis light somewhere around 1965/66. In early 1967 Squad 1 was redesignated as Salvage Squad 1 and had a rack put on the side of the apparatus to carry additional salvage covers. I heard that Squad 3 might have also been retrofitted with an Aurora Borealis light however I never saw a photo of it. In the case of Squad 1 I remember seeing it with the Aurora Borealis light as well as seeing a photograph with it.
An irony is that both Squad 4’s and Squad 3’s 1954 Autocars were wrecked in accidents when they were still in service. Squad 4’s rig was wrecked sometime in 1963 and Squad 3’s rig was wrecked in an accident in Washington Park in April of 1967 and they were taken of service after that.
After Squad 4’s accident they were given an older Mack squad which was either a 1940 or 1949 model but they were also wrecked in an accident around late 1965 and from then on Squad 4 was assigned a 1956 International Harvester ex-high pressure wagon as their regular rig until they were taken out of service on October 1st 1968.
#5 by David on April 29, 2017 - 8:50 AM
They look just flawless, definitely one of the most beautiful models I’ve ever seen. Love the older style with the original “football”.