Air tanker 81 at Hemet-Ryan Airport in 1980. Photo by JD Davis.After seeing the 1980 video of air tankers landing and taking off at the Hemet-Ryan Airport JD Davis sent us these photos that were also taken at Hemet-Ryan in 1980.
He said Tanker 70 (N400DF) was the first S-2 to be converted to an air tanker.
Air tanker 70 at Hemet-Ryan Airport in 1980. Photo by JD Davis.
Air tanker 88 at Hemet-Ryan Airport in 1980. Photo by JD Davis.Thanks JD!
4 Comments
Wondering if you have any pictures of tanker 152 or 119. If so I would be interested in getting copies. Also I have the complete history of both of those planes. Both were in the Berlin air lift.
Gary,
I have pix of T-152 N9015Q at SBD 1999-2002
and T-119 N406WA at HMT 1980
Let me know what size you need.
JD
Great seeing these photos from ’80’s Hemet-Ryan. While I was with (then-) CDF in Riverside, San Diego and Orange counties I was always happy to see them on the fireline; not just as airtankers, but as beautiful (and historic) aircraft. A ‘follow-up’ to Tanker 124 here https://yanksair.org/collection/consolidated-40-privateer-pb4y-2/, a public website.
As far as tanker 152 and 119, you can find at least 2 photos (one at Ryan) of 152 (et al) by Googling “tanker 152”, possibly even more if you include the aircraft type. In those results some photos are ‘public domain’, others are not, and there are restrictions to respect.
Yep, looks like that S-2 had its hook point pulled and the engine nacelles no longer carry sonobuoys. Tough little HUKSTERS.
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