Montana Water Bombers

[CoastieJohn]

I got this in the email today. It was taken today I believe. The brother's town had to get evac'd due to an approaching fire. You'll see a water bomber scooping up the water and and two smaller scoopers following it. I have never seen the smaller ones before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROKGmPL ... e=youtu.be

[AG pilot]

The smaller ones are 800 gal, Air Tractor AT-802's with Fire Boss float systems.

[JohnB]

An Air Tractor/Fire Boss has replaced a PBY at our local standby fire base.
Not as historic or interesting, but a lot less expensive...once you get past the purchase price.

[CoastieJohn]

The DC-10 on climb out after a run.

[dirtysidedown430]

Are the old airway beacons still working up there

[exhaustgases]

The fuel required for that DC-10 in one run would last some old 2 and 4 engine recip planes for a week or so.

[CAPFlyer]

Yeah, but that one pass delivers as much retardant as 4 or 5 runs by one of those piston birds. Not to mention, in the same day, he can deliver 4 or 5 runs to a single fire, or support fires in 4 or 5 states. Meanwhile, the piston bird is restricted to 100 miles or so of where it loads.

Also, I'm sure you're exaggerating, but with the difference in price, that fuel the DC-10 burns only pays for maybe 2 days of those piston bombers since AvGas, even on contract, still runs at least a dollar more than Jet-A.

[Mark Sampson]

That's an absolutely amazing photograph. Major admiration for the flight crew pictured, too.

[CoastieJohn]

I had someone wondering (questioning) if the DC-10 can safely do a maneuver like that pull out in the picture. He is wondering if the pic is cropped in someway. Any DC-10 folks that may know if that pic is accurate of the aircraft's abilities?

[sandiego89]

I had someone wondering (questioning) if the DC-10 can safely do a maneuver like that pull out in the picture. He is wondering if the pic is cropped in someway. Any DC-10 folks that may know if that pic is accurate of the aircraft's abilities?

I would think the DC-10 image must not reflect true angle of attack- perhaps taken at an angle or cropped as you suggest. Seems very extreme.

Why are you not eating cake or drinking beer at CG day festivities?!

[Stoney]

a lightly loaded DC-10 climbs at 6000 fpm +, been there and done that on a ferry leg.

PS at 18000# per hour

[Malo83]

a lightly loaded DC-10 climbs at 6000 fpm +, been there and done that on a ferry leg.

PS at 18000# per hour

Pretty much gutted interior and 3 Turbos at max power

[leo]

The DC-10 was operating over my house a couple weeks ago, with slurry literally still dripping off as it went over (what a mess).
All I can say is WOW!
And the MD's making passes with slats and flaps and gear down, those guys are special.
Their work kept us from having to evacuate.

[CoastieJohn]

I had someone wondering (questioning) if the DC-10 can safely do a maneuver like that pull out in the picture. He is wondering if the pic is cropped in someway. Any DC-10 folks that may know if that pic is accurate of the aircraft's abilities?

I would think the DC-10 image must not reflect true angle of attack- perhaps taken at an angle or cropped as you suggest. Seems very extreme.

Why are you not eating cake or drinking beer at CG day festivities?!

I was wondering about that myself. Retirees didn't get an invite at the airsta here in TVC.....at least I didn't. I would normally have gotten a heads up thru the network. Did do the change of command last month. I try to get together for a breakfast with the CMC, CO and former VC when the scheds align....about once a month or so. The VC is busy for a retired guy himself.

[CoastieJohn]

Here is another vid and pic of the bomber(s) coming in. I counted approx 13 seconds for the one bomber to touch down, fill up and get airborne. That is pretty quick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTjV4S7 ... e=youtu.be


The bombers in action making a run.....