Posts Tagged historic truck photos

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt19)

Apr 26

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 7 Comments

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

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt 18)

Apr 21

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Department History, Historic fire apparatus, Historic Fire Photo | 1 Comment

Another installment on the history of turret wagons in the Chicago Fire Department from Jack Connors. Images depict Big Mo as it was on two different chassis. It was assigned as 6-7-2 originally on a 1953 International 6×6 chassis which was painted black over red. This unit carried shop #G-248. It was later remounted onto 1957 GMC 6×6 chassis in the blue and white colors of the Civil Defense carrying shop #G-157 .

Images from Jack’s collection are featured from Ken Little and George Brown in addition to Jack’s own photos.

Big Mo seen here working at a 5-11 Alarm fire with specials in June of 1969 at 14th and Indiana. George Brown photo

Big Mo 6-7-2 was built by the CFD shops on a 1953 International 6×6 chassis. George Brown photo

BIg Mo 6-7-2 at Engine 13’s house. George Brown photo

The first version of Big Mo at 66th & State. George Brown photo

Big Mo in the fire prevention week parade in October of 1970. Jack Connor photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-2, known as Big Mo at Engine 42’s house. George Brown photo

Unknown date and location with the second Big Mo at a fire scene. Ken Little photo

The previous post in this series is HERE.

An earlier post showing Big Mo 6-7-2 is HERE.

Tags: 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, Chicago Civil Defense Fire and Rescue, Chicago FD Deluge Wagon, Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-2, Chicago Fire Department turret wagon, Chicago Fire Department Turret Wagon Big Mo, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-2, Chicago Turret Wagon Big Mo, George Brown, historic fire in Chicago, historic fire photos, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, Jack Connors, Ken Little

Prospect Heights Fire Department history

Apr 14

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Historic fire apparatus | Comments off

Bill Friedrich recently added the image below to his collection, and he asked Drew Smith for assistance in dating the photo.

Prospects Fire Department history

Here is the historical information that Drew provided.

I’ve confirmed the photo is from 1963

A few comments:

When the station was first built a neon sign of FIRE DEPARTMENT was installed above the overhead door. Later that sign was replaced with red letters PROSPECT HEIGHTS FIRE DEPARTMENT. The photo Bill obtained has the new lettering installed. Also, the paint store sign to the left indicates this is a later photo as that paint store existed until the new Walgreens was built. I have photos showing this newer red PHFD lettering with a different occupancy in the paint store’s location. Also when the station was first built there wasn’t a curb between the road and the apron. It was a gravel transition.
Below you can see the years and details of these three pieces.

Year	Type	Signature(s)	Make/Mfr.	Pump GPM	Tank	Other
47	Pumper	#3 173	Ford/Darley	750	500	Purchased new
48	Car	#4 174	Ford			“Pie wagon”
57	Car	?	Ford			Red & white wagon used by fire chief

The station wagon was the chiefs car and it would have been used by the first two. There have only been four chiefs in the history of the PHFD:

Fran Foor (1944-1962) *Served as president of IL Fire Chiefs Assn. in 1954

William Andrew (1962-1969)

Donald Gould, Sr. (1969-1988)

Donald Gould, Jr. (1988-present)

I’m going to say this photo was taken in 1963 based on the license plates. According to this webpage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Illinois , in 1963 license plates were dark green with gold letters. This is how the plates appear to me.
This red and white 57 Ford was replaced in 1966 with a Chevrolet Impala station wagon.
Between 1964 and 1968 the PHFD purchased three new pieces:

Year	Type	Signature(s)	Make/Mfr.	Pump GPM	Tank	Other
64	Squad	#5 175 Squad 9 909	Chevy			Utility body truckBreathing air cascadeGenerator
66	Pumper	#2 172 Engine 9R	Ford/Darley	750	1000	Twin high-pressure booster reels
68	Tanker	#6 174 Tanker 9	Ford/Darley	750	1500

The 47 Ford Darley pumper remained until sometime in the 1970s. In 1973 the department purchased a new Dodge station wagon for the chief, a Ward LaFrance pumper, and it’s first ambulance built on a Dodge van.

I have attached a few photos:

Prospect Heights FD 1957 chief's car

This appears to be the 57 Ford when it was new. The red license plate with white letters is from 1957.

Prospect Heights FD 1948 Ford van

This is the 48 Ford “pie wagon” (that’s what it was referred to by every old-timer when I joined even though it was long gone) It has been restored by someone in the NW Suburbs (no contact info available).

Drew Smith

Deputy Chief

Prospect Heights Fire Protection District

10 East Camp McDonald Road

Prospect Heights, IL 60070

Tags: 1947 Ford Darley fire engine, 1948 for van for fire department, 1957 Ford station wagon fire chief car, Bill Friedrich, Deputy Chief Drew Smith, fire apparatus history, fire department history, historic truck photos, history of Prospect heights FPD, Prospect Heights Fire District history

New book featuring northern Illinois fire departments

Apr 11

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News, Fire Service Photos | Comments off

Tim Olk’s book entitled Northern Illinois Fire Ground Photography is almost here!

upper

book about northern illinois fire departments

lower

Download the flyer.

Tags: Chicago Fire Department apparatus photos, fire engine photos, fire scene photos, firefighter photos, historic fire photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, new book about fire departments, Northern Illinois Fire Ground Photography, photos of fire fighters working, photos of fire in Chicago, photos of fire trucks at fire scene, photos of firefighters battling house fire, photos of house fire, Tim Olk

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt 15)

Mar 26

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Historic fire apparatus | 6 Comments

We have more history to share on the Chicago Fire Department Turret Wagons. Images come from Jack Connors and his collection featuring units built on the Willy’s Jeep chassis.

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-2 prior to completion outside of the Civil Defense house on Wells Street. Jack Connors photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-4 during a Fire Prevention Week parade on State Street. Jack Connors photo

X-CFD 6-7-4 near 55th and Luna after being sold by the city to a private individual. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Fog Pressure Unit

CFD Jeep Pressure Unit 1, 1959 Willy’s Jeep/Shops built (6-7-1) at Engine 4’s house . Ken Little photo

Chicago FD Jeep Pressure Unit 1. Warren Redick photo

Chicago FD 6-7-1 after a repaint. Formerly this was all red and lettered as Jeep Pressure 1. Jack Connors photo

The previous installment in this series can be found HERE.

Tags: Chicago Civil Defense, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Jeep Pressure Unit, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-1, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-2, fire apparatus history, historic fire photos, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, history of Chicago FD turret wagons, Jack Connors, Ken Little, Warren Redick, Willys Jeep chassis

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt14) 6-7-6

Mar 9

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 9 Comments

Final installment in the series from Bill Freidrich on the Chicago FD turret wagons – now 6-7-6

Organized 1-21-83 @ 3027 E 93rd St Engine 46

G-374 1975 Chevy C2/ 1978 CFD Shops fabricated and installed twin Eastman high pressure monitors capable of 4,000-GPM. Currently assigned to Engine 104’s house.

I hope everyone enjoyed this journey with the turret wagons. See you soon with a new topic.

Bill

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 (G-374) a 1975 Chevy C20 chassis that in 1978 was fabricated by the CD Shops, Bill Friedrich photo

The first post in this 14-part series can be found HERE.

Tags: Bill Friedrich, Chicago Fire Department deluge wagon 6-7-6, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-6, fire apparatus history, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, history of Chicago FD turret wagons, large deluge monitors

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt13) 6-7-5

Mar 7

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 1 Comment

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-5 history from Bill Friedrich

Organized 12-27-76 @ 55 W Illinois St

12-22-76 (G-366) 1975 MACK MB607T (X-6-7-1) 1976 CFD Shops fabricated and installed

twin Stang hydraulic high-pressure monitors capable of 20,000 -GPM

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-5 (G-366) on a Mack MB 600 chassis. Bill Friedrich photo

Rear view of Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-5 (G-366) Bill Friedrich photo

2-8-82 (G-374) 1975 Chevy C20 1978 CFD Shops fabricated and installed

twin Eastman high-pressure monitors capable of 4,000-GPM

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-5 (G-374) 1975 Chevy C20/1978 CFD Shops. Bill Friedrich photo

1-21-83 Company disbanded to organize 6-7-6

Tags: Bill Friedrich, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-5, fire apparatus history, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, history of Chicago FD turret wagons, large deluge monitors, Mack MB600 chassis

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt12) 6-7-4

Mar 6

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 6 Comments

This from Bill Friedrich on CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-4

Organized 3-22-71 @ 419 S Wells

G-197  1962 Willys Jeep FC150 4x4 1971 FD Shops fabricated the body and installed twin HP deluge monitors  capable of  4,000-GPM

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-4 Willys Jeep

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-4 (G-197) on a 1962 Willy’s Jeep FC150 4X4 that was fabricated in 1971 by the CFD Shops. Ron Heal photo



11-30-75 (G-373)  1975 Chevy C20 4x4 CFD Shops fabricated the body and installed twin Eastman deluge monitors capable of 4,000-GPM
The vehicle was destroyed by a falling wall & 35th & Iron on 8-27-80

Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-4 (G-373) a 1975 Chevy C20 fabricated by the CFD Shops. Bill Friedrich photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-4 destroyed at a fire

CFD 6-7-4 (G-373) was destroyed by a falling wall at a fire at 35th & Irons. It was disbanded on 8-27-80. Bill Friedrich photo



Re-organized  10-22-81
G-461  1981 Chevy C20 FD Shops fabricated the body and installed twin Eastman deluge monitors capable of 4,000-GPM

1-25-82 Company disbanded

Tags: Bill Friedrich, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-4, fire apparatus history, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, history of Chicago FD turret wagons, Jeep, large deluge monitors, Willys Jeep chassis

Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt11) Big John 6-7-3

Mar 4

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus, Historic Fire Photo | 6 Comments

More from Bill Friedrich on the CFD turret wagon history – now it’s Big John, the original 6-7-3

Organized 5-12-70 @ 55 W Illinois St "Big John"

6-7-3 (G-156) - 1952 IHC M65 5-ton 6x6 chassis that the CFD Shops fabricated in 1970 when they installed the body & twin Stang HP deluge monitors capable of flowing 15,000-GPM. It was named after John F Plant who designed 'Big John'.

Overhead view of Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-3 (G-156) built on a 1952 IHC M65 chassis. Ron Heal photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-3 (G-156) ‘Big John’ @ Engine 34’s house. Bill Friedrich photo

Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-3 (G-156) ‘Big John’ @ Engine 42’s house. Bill Friedrich photo

THe rear of Chicago FD Turret Wagon 6-7-3 (G-156) ‘Big John’ @ Engine 34’s house. Bill Friedrich photo

Big John, 6-7-3 (G156) flowing at an unknown fire scene. Photographer unknown. Bill Friedrich collection

Chicago FD turret wagon 6-7-3 Big John


1-25-82 (G-461) 1981 Chevy C20/1981 CFD Shops fabricated and installed the body & twin Eastman deluge monitors capable of flowing 4,000-GPM

Tags: 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, Big John, Bill Friedrich, CFD Deluge Wagon Big John, Chicago Fire Department deluge wagon 6-7-3, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Fire Department Turret Wagon Big John, Chicago Turret Wagon 6-7-3, fire apparatus history, historic fire truck photos, historic truck photos, historical photos of Chicago Fire Department, history of Chicago FD turret wagons, large deluge monitors, Ron Heal

Chicago FD History – Morita 135′ Ladder

Mar 3

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 16 Comments

This from Bill Friedrich on the one-of-a-kind 135′ Hendrickson/Pierce/Morita ladder in Chicago

Here is a shot of Truck 2’s old house at 540 W. Washington Blvd. Truck 2 was scheduled to get the new Hendrickson/Pierce/Morita that did not fit. I am also attaching photos of (EF-197), the 1974 Hendrickson – Pierce – Morita Aerial Lift (Pierce # 8276-C). You have a good view of the aerial itself as well as the ground ladder storage. I am also sending a parade photo showing where the ff’s rode on the back step.

When they realized the height of the ladder would not fit the doors, they exchanged rigs with Truck 1 (EF-192), a 1972 Alfco 1000 Series Ladder Chief.

I am trying to locate a shot of the company showing Hook & Ladder 2.

Bill