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 Custom Printed White Paper Bag,Printed White Paper Bag,Luxury Gift Packaging Bag Jiangsu Hualong Printing Co.;Ltd , http://www.hlpackingtop.com
Chicago FD Turret Wagon History (pt19)
The most iconic of the CFD turret wagons is saved for last, and this article features a series of images captured by Jack Connors, showcasing all angles and detailed closeups of 6-7-3—commonly known as Big John when it was new. These photos give a rare glimpse into the massive firefighting machine that once served Chicago's fire department.
Big John was one of the most powerful firefighting vehicles of its time, designed to tackle large-scale fires with its twin water cannons and high-capacity pumping system. These images not only highlight its impressive size but also capture the intricate engineering behind it. Whether you're a fire history enthusiast or just curious about vintage firefighting equipment, these photos offer a fascinating look at a piece of Chicago's firefighting legacy.
For more information, check out the previous article in this series (pt 18) [HERE](#) and an earlier post featuring Big John [HERE](#).