I just got some new info from Bill Friedrich about the history of the Chicago Fire Department's turret wagons, specifically the iconic "Big John," officially known as 6-7-3 (G-156). This beast was originally built back in 1970 by the CFD shops using a 1952 International Harvester M65 5-ton 6x6 chassis. They added a custom body and twin Stang high-pressure deluge monitors that could pump out a whopping 15,000 gallons per minute! Interestingly enough, it was named after John F. Plant, the visionary who came up with the design for this massive piece of firefighting equipment.
Looking at some photos, you can really see how impressive this rig is. The overhead shot shows its unique layout, while the other images give a great view of both the front and rear. There’s even one where you can see the rear setup in more detail, highlighting all the gear and equipment mounted there. One particularly striking image shows Big John in action at an undisclosed fire scene—just imagine the power of those monitors dousing flames!
Interestingly, there’s another version of this truck too. On January 25, 1982, they upgraded it again by replacing the original setup with a 1981 Chevrolet C20 chassis. The CFD shops then fabricated a brand-new body and installed twin Eastman deluge monitors capable of flowing 4,000 gallons per minute. It’s amazing to think about how these trucks evolved over time to keep up with the demands of modern firefighting.
These turret wagons were truly engineering marvels for their time, combining raw power with strategic design elements to help firefighters battle large-scale fires more effectively. Big John, in particular, became something of a legend within the department, symbolizing innovation and resilience. If you ever get the chance to see one in person or learn more about these vehicles, I highly recommend it—it’s fascinating stuff!
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