NZFF

And this is a total random ..... not related at all.... a big chopper landing on your head.

Nice, the US are using Hercs as tankers again but the A models are consigned to history. What scenery is that?

chopper_nut wrote:

QUOTE (chopper_nut @ Nov 17 2014,8:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice, the US are using Hercs as tankers again but the A models are consigned to history. What scenery is that?

Thanks Nick .... its orbx yellowstone.

Nice screens , Sad video of a fire fighting Herc loosing its wings and crew ... little chance of surviving .... you still have not got that Nemeth CH-53 up and running yet .. next time you mention incoming, I'll get it installed.

It was unfortunate. Really spelled the beginning of the end for the classic tankers. I had my photo taken in front of the Privateer that was lost shortly after with the same failure.

chopper_nut wrote:

QUOTE (chopper_nut @ Nov 18 2014,4:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had my photo taken in front of the Privateer that was lost shortly after with the same failure.

They do drive them hard, I missed the lost of the Privateer, well known as a fire bomber in the early days.

No Privateers but some panoramic shots of a tanker base at the end of an era.

A brilliant collection of photo's ... Neptune's DC's .. end of a Era

Yup, notice the C119 in the background. Sorry about the hijack...

No problem ...... great pics , imagine the horse power gathered there.
In the second shot , there appears to be an Argosy way at the back.... great share , thanks Nick.

Amazing place this fire fighting base, Argosy - did not see that in the background , the C-119 as well, same engines as your C-97 and put another four together you have the B-36, love to see how this place lights up with a serious fire call.

Air Tankers

A quick search of Youtube turns up a lot of garbage but there is some good stuff out there. The Hemet Valley was lit up pretty good when we were there. Not many turbines around back then either.

A brilliant selection and all superb aircraft, nice to here the sound off the Privateer, along the hi-way, bet those fire fighter were pleased to get a little wet , love to be in the position to see that sort off action.

The P3s, PV2s, S-2s (Turbine conversions only now) and Hercs are all pretty common over there. Maybe even a few DC6s and 7s. A lot of the heavy metal now is Electras and P3s. A trip to California, Idaho etc in the middle of the US summer is pretty interesting. Drive from LA to San Fransisco and it seems that every town has an air attack base.

chopper_nut wrote:

QUOTE (chopper_nut @ Nov 19 2014,11:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Drive from LA to San Fransisco and it seems that every town has an air attack base.

I like the away you described that .. air attack base, mind you after some off the horrendous fires they get that equal the one in OZ they are needed, nice thing is the selection of types.

Australia has some big fires but they rely on SEAT (AT802 etc) and helicopters. Very cost effective. Parts of the US and Canada are going the same way. Conair in Canada are running 802s AND CV580s on the fires.

Ironic Marty also posted the MH-53, that has the same rotor head as the 'Elvis' Skycrane fire fighters regularly used in OZ and to beat it all is plopped into this months screenie comp by Goingboeing has the very type .

Yeh it is ironic. Interesting fact about the Crane, not sure about the MH53, the trailing edge of the blades are in sections to allow the blades to flex. I can't find a photo of it but it looks like the trailing edge has had slots cut in it.

I could do a little study on that , I do have many photos of these heavy's, watching the Crane go thru its display 2003 it was impressive and at low level made it that extra WOW !

Very impressive bit of gear. They move a lot of air. Standing 100m away, you can feel it in your chest when they pull pitch.