E-1 Tracer

[RNDMTRS4EVR]

Hey does anyone know any Willyfudd (E-1) Drivers out there? A buddy of mine would like to get a hold of one to ask them some flight questions.
Thanks
Scott.......

[Jack Cook]

My Step-dad was the flight surgeon for VAW-11 Det Echo on the Bonnie Dick for 2 far east cruises in the early 60s. I remember him saying they lost one at night after it lost an engine and it couldn't maintain altitude which was a big mystery because it should have. A similar incident occured a few months later and the WF was headed for the drink. The co had a hard time hearing and closed his overhead escape hatch to hear better and the bird leveled off. The pilot then closed his (both were locked open has per the Natops before ditching check list) and the WF started climbing and they were able to trap successfully. I believe a addendum was added to Natops indicating the a/c in certain circumstances may not hold altitude on single engine with the escape hatches open. Which goes to show you that a lot of that stuff is written in blood so hed it

[RNDMTRS4EVR]

Wow! who would have thought an escape hatch could cause a problem like that!
Scott.....

[Larry Kraus]

If you can't find anybody else,I have a CD version of a Natops Flight Manual for the E-1B and may be able to look up some information.

[RNDMTRS4EVR]

Thanks Larry! I'll keep that in mind. So are you geared up at Butler for the season? I also heard rumor they scrapped some airplanes up there. Do you happen to know which ones?
Scott......

[RNDMTRS4EVR]

Thanks Larry! I'll keep that in mind. So are you geared up at Butler for the season? I also heard rumor they scrapped some airplanes up there. Do you happen to know which ones?
Scott......

[Larry Kraus]

Scott,the airplanes that will be scrapped are TBM's Tanker 68 (N93079?),which was our Baby DC-6 and Tanker 67 (N6318C),which is an early United DC-7.Both would have required extensive wing spar repairs,among other things.So far,both airplanes are basically intact,but have been pretty well gutted as to engines and usable parts.Its a sad business,but makes business sense,I suppose.I've asked several times about saving the cockpit sections,but nobody seems interested,as lack of storage and ramp space is part of the thought process involved in the decision to scrap these airplanes.

Tanker 66 (N6353C) is getting a new compass system and HSI as the original system would have cost $18,000 for an overhaul which might or might not have solved the problem.Tanker 62 (N401US) is still in the hangar finishing up the B Check/Annual.Tanker 60 (N838D) is currently our spare/training airplane.The plan is for Brian Lash and Rick Langstrom to fly T66 out of Redmond and my c/p Ron Carpinella and I will take T62 back to Medford.Gene Teske will be our relief pilot/co-pilot this season,as the ODF (Oregon Department of Forestry) still requires 7 day coverage on both contracts.

I haven't heard the official start of contract date,but it should be around July 1st.Its way too early to tell,but it might be an active fire season.There have already been a few fires in Oregon,including one this week of about 100 acres near La Pine,which is 40 miles south of Redmond.Last year,we were allowed to work on a few Fed fires in Oregon.There were a number of restrictions involved,but it was a major improvement over the absolute "No Way!!!" attitude of the previous two years.

[RNDMTRS4EVR]

I hate to see 68 get cut up, thats the only baby 6 that is around that I know of, what a bummer. I still remeber when I was working at the tanker base in Reno and Ornbaum and Wally were flying the contract in 67. Sure was alot of fun watching Ornbaum get the tankerbase manager fired up. I do miss the smell of the oil,Av-Gas, and Retardant. Be SAFE out there this season.
Scott.......