Warbird Information Exchange

"The Report identified various concerns about aircraft safety, including the airworthiness of aircraft that were operating outside of their original intended design and the appropriate levels of maintenance and training to ensure safe operations.
LIKE THE LARGE JETS THEY USE NOW ARE FLYING IN THEIR INTENDED DESIGN? CAN't ('t)edit 6-29-19) GO 500 MPH DROPPING RETARDANT.



As a result of the panel's recommendations, the USFS and BLM declined to renew the leases on nine C-130A and PB4Y-2 airtankers, and ordered the 33 remaining large airtankers to undergo an improved inspection program before they returned to active service. The agencies contracted with the Sandia National Laboratories to analyze the safety of continuing use of five types of airtankers – the Douglas DC-4, Douglas DC-6, Douglas DC-7, Lockheed P-3 Orion and Lockheed P-2 Neptune. In addition, 11 of 19 Beechcraft 58P Baron leadplanes were also retired, as they had exceeded the 6,000 flight hour airframe safety limit.
SO THE LARGE JETS DON'T EXCEED 6K HOURS OF AIRFRAME TIME?
SO STRANGE WHEN OUTFITS LIKE EVERTS STILL FLY DC-6'S !

To further reduce the risk to the fleet, the agencies directed their field managers to use airtankers primarily for initial attack only.[1]
AND WHY WE NOW HAVE FIRES WAY OUT OF CONTROL.


Almost two years after the Summer 2002 crashes and as a direct result of the ensuing investigations, on May 10, 2004, the Forest Service abruptly terminated the contracts for the entire large tanker fleet. USFS Chief Dale Bosworth stated, "Safety is a core value of the firefighting community, and it is non-negotiable. To continue to use these contract large airtankers when no mechanism exists to guarantee their airworthiness presents an unacceptable level of risk to the aviators, the firefighters on the ground and the communities we serve."[18] The decision affected tanker contracts issued by both the
USFS and BLM.
AND THE FIRES DON'T CREATE AND UNACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF RISK?
"

The agencies contracted with the Sandia National Laboratories to analyze the safety of continuing use of five types of airtankers – the Douglas DC-4, Douglas DC-6, Douglas DC-7, Lockheed P-3 Orion and Lockheed P-2 Neptune. In addition, 11 of 19 Beechcraft 58P Baron leadplanes were also retired, as they had exceeded the 6,000 flight hour airframe safety limit.
SO THE LARGE JETS DON'T EXCEED 6K HOURS OF AIRFRAME TIME?
SO STRANGE WHEN OUTFITS LIKE EVERTS STILL FLY DC-6'S !

I've always wondered why the USFS bought pressurized Barons?
After all, their intended lead mission was low level.

Two guesses:
-So they can transit between fires at high altitude?
-and this one maybe a stretch...because the Pressurized airframe was necessarily a stouter and thus would have a longer life?

Or, they bought them because they could, after all it's not their money!
Perhaps the USFS saw them as cut-rate King Airs for VIP transport the rest of the year when it wasn't fire season?

My guess is cost - P-Barons (much like many pressurized pistons) went through a period of being dirt cheap because no one wanted the maintenance costs of the pressurization system. Prices have recovered some in recent years, but back during the 1980s, they tanked. That's what drives Government acquisition - what fits the bill and is the cheapest to acquire. Additionally, I'm sure the P-Barons had low hours compared to other used Barons on the market, so it makes doubly attractive.

Personally, if you're going to buy new, then I would've pushed hard for the 337, which was still in production at the time.

A lot of civilian/contract operators used Shrike Commanders for that role, although I think they are being phased out now in favor of Turbo Commanders or King Airs.

Are you saying they converted 500’s to turbines? What engine did they use and do you have any pics? I didn’t know anyone had done a conversion like that.