Ah! Spring in Minnesnowta!

[BSteinIPMS]

Now that the snow is finally gone, we're rapidly moving into our early spring fire season. Here's a shot from KARE 11, a Minneapolis-based TV station, taken last week on 8 April 2005. It shows Tanker 27 - a P-3A fire bomber - laying slurry alongside a busy highway in Coon Rapids, a northern Minneapolis suburb.

Hey! Don't get that stuff on my car! :mad:

[NeilD]

that seems a tad excessive!!! or was there more to the fire that we cant see.. :D
Neil

[BSteinIPMS]

that seems a tad excessive!!! or was there more to the fire that we cant see.. :D
Neil

I'd guess there's a lot more out of view, Neil. A fire the size in this view rates just a small helicopter with a water bucket. The tankers are only used where it's serious.

Must be rolling in on Corgi's really hot "fire sale". :D

[Agent X20]

Your chopper was flying a bit low there Bob.. or had Mrs S left the griill pan on..??

[neighbob]

that seems a tad excessive!!! or was there more to the fire that we cant see.. :D
Neil



I think i'm right in saying that what the aircraft is droping is a fire retardant,so it prevents the fire spreading by damping down the area around the fire as well as putting out the flames.

[planejunky]

I think i'm right in saying that what the aircraft is droping is a fire retardant,so it prevents the fire spreading by damping down the area around the fire as well as putting out the flames.

Sure is. Great shot though, what's the story with the other water bombers now? I heard that many were being retired under new FAA guidelines after that horrible incident with the Herc, and another that escapes my memory at the moment. :( The plus side is that many A-26 Invaders are now hopefully going to fall into the hands of warbird collectors and be restored back to their original wartime specs. :cool:

[BSteinIPMS]

Your chopper was flying a bit low there Bob.. or had Mrs S left the griill pan on..??
You must be joking, Agent! Mrs. BTY cook? :rolleyes:

I think i'm right in saying that what the aircraft is droping is a fire retardant,so it prevents the fire spreading by damping down the area around the fire as well as putting out the flames.
Quite right, N/B. :)

what's the story with the other water bombers now?
I'm not certain, but here are a few links to fire bombers:

http://www.hawkinsandpowers.com/

http://www.ruudleeuw.com/greybull.htm

http://www.s2tracker.com/fire_bombers.htm

http://www.photovault.com/Link/Technology/Aviation/eFirefightingAircraft/TAEVolume01.html

http://www.pacificthunder.com/wings/fire.htm

[Agent X20]

Actual fact its a new supply of make up being dropped into Agent HQ .....With Mrs and Mini Agent, we now order in bulk..... In the distance you can just see a Martin Mars getting ready for the run in to drop the mascara....

[Snapper]

Could be an effective way to apply all-over fake tan :D

The guys (and gals) that do that as a job do wonderful work - hats off to them.

[Hoverbug]

From what I understand about the art of aerial firefighting is that retardant and water are not so much for putting the fire out as for taking away enough of the energy to allow the groundpounders to get in close and do the heavy lifting.

I think i'm right in saying that what the aircraft is droping is a fire retardant,so it prevents the fire spreading by damping down the area around the fire as well as putting out the flames.