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Super Duper Fire Fighter DC-10 Fire Bomber Conversion done by Evergreen at Marana, AZ. Normally the field there is a boneyard, where airplanes go to die. But Evergreen has a large facility there doing maintenance and conversions. This is the most interesting conversion since the Aero Space Lines 377 Guppy and Super Guppy. It is a serious fire bomber. But don’t look for the California Forestry Department to use it. We have the governator and the moonbeam still screwing things up. But it is just a neat airplane! Victorville, Southern California Logistics Airport. Used to be George AFB.  10 comments to Super Duper Fire Fighter |
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Definitely way cool
The only problem I’ve heard with using turbine engine aircraft (turboprop and jet) in firefighting is that they’re more susceptible to engine failure due to debris. One of Mom & Dad’s friends up in Ramona used to fly the spotter plane for the fire bombers over San Diego and I got to meet the pilots a few times. They said you wouldn’t believe the things that would get sucked up in a good fire – like the pine tree they saw take off like a skyrocket in the middle of a firestorm 
Still, those big planes are good for laying a big, thick fire break where they don’t need to get into the smoke or down too low.
Great post!!!
When I was a kid about 14-15 we would go visit my cousins in Hamilton, MT. It is in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula. At times the aircraft overhead would be TBM/TBF, Catalinas, an occasional B-17 and every now and then a Ford Trimotor and a Travel Air 6000. The Ford and Travel Air were used to drop smoke jumpers. Low, slow and on target. Johnson Flying Service at Johnson-Bell Field, now known as Missoula International Airport.
Yes Kath, I am that old! Hee Hee!
Glenn, I have not a CLUE what you’re talking about.
Anyway, that’s pretty cool to “re-do” the plane, but then whose is it? I mean, somebody had to pay to have that done, right? (well, duh.) Or does it get run by a service that kinda rents it out?
I know, I know, I always ask too many questions.
Where’s a firefighter person that knows about these things??? Firefigter person to the rescue, please!
The conversion was partly paid for by California Department of Forestry. And I think the US Forest Service had a hand. But the operator is Evergreen out of Marana, AZ. Pinal Air Park.
Serious Engineering on this old airframe.
And I have been a firefighter. Aboard Ship, everyone is a firefighter.
AND a firefighter, Glenn? Child, you have been everything. But I’m glad, bec. you know I always have questions!!! Thanks!
Kath, all Sailors are trained in fire-fighting, aboard ships and aircraft both. Duffy says he can still remember his route on the P-3. And his fire locker aboard USS Nimitz was 1 Fox. Glenn will know where that is.
I love it! A fifty five year old CHILD!
Was it Cousin Wayne died when his fire-fighting plane crashed a few years back? Kenneth and Edith’s son. His mother never got over it, died less than 2 years later herself.
Yup.
Sharon was hit fairly hard when Aunt Edith passed. She was responsible for the colour in the front yard of the house in Coupeville.
Ah, the former George AFB… I used to shop the commissary there in the way-back, it was better than Edwards’. I’m glad to see the facilities are being put to good use.