737 vs. Hangar

New South Wales Rural Fire Service's Bomber 210
New South Wales Rural Fire Service’s Bomber 210, a 737 air tanker.

These photos show what appears to be the result of Bomber 210 impacting a hangar and a fence.

New South Wales Rural Fire Service purchased the aircraft from Coulson Aviation in 2019, along with a contract with Coulson for the operation and maintenance of the air tanker.

A spokesperson for the RFS told Fire Aviation:

The NSW RFS is aware of an incident involving its Large Air Tanker the ‘Marie Bashir’ at RAAF Base Richmond.

The aircraft has rolled into a hanger, sustaining damage to the aircraft and the building.

An investigation into the incident has been launched. The aircraft will be grounded while repairs are undertaken.

New South Wales Rural Fire Service's Bomber 210
New South Wales Rural Fire Service’s Bomber 210, a 737 air tanker.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Tom and Tim.

Tanker 138 becomes Bomber 210 in Australia and gets new livery

NSW RFS' B-210 737 air tanker
NSW RFS’ B-210, formerly known as Air Tanker 138. October 9, 2020. Matthew Tregear photo.

The 737 air tanker that New South Wales Rural Fire Service purchased from Coulson received a new paint job over the Australian winter. Besides needing to be identified as Bomber 210, there is a report that flying through ash during the incredibly busy 2019-2020 bushfire season stripped away enough paint to justify the new livery.

After a career of hauling passengers for Southwest Airlines, the aircraft made its first drop on a fire in August, 2019.

It was repainted by Flying Colors Aviation in Townsville, Queensland and made its first drop of the 2020/2021 bushfire season a few days ago.

Flying Colors Aviation Facebook postThe design of the livery on the aircraft when it was converted into an air tanker by Coulson was based on a Boeing concept seen on some of their new aircraft.

Boeing 777-8X
Boeing 777-8X. Boeing image.