History of Tanker 87

Got an interesting email today from Delaware.
Ted Waltz, Kenny Chapman, Steve Whitby, Tom Wenk?
Can anyone help this guy out with some history or photos?
Some info is available online from Warbird Alley.

From: Dennis Krepil
<fairchildboxcar@gmail.com>
Subject: C-119B Tanker 87 is alive and well.
Message: Hello Fire Aviation: Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dennis Krepil. I am currently the volunteer crew chief in the restoration project of Tanker 87 — N13746 from the Hemet Valley Flying Service.

T-87This C-119B is currently at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Delaware. It is in its original status as USAF C119B : S/R # 480352. It is in the color scheme of its time in the Korean War. I am unable to send any pictures; however, it can be seen on the Air Mobility Command, Dover Delaware website progress report.

I am trying to honor this aircraft for its military and civilian service. Researching its history has led me here. Can you help me? I have looked on the Hemet Valley and Cal Fire websites but have been unsuccessful so far. I am trying to find out how this aircraft was set up as a firefighter, how the fire retardant was loaded, where it was located in the aircraft, and how was the fire retardent disbursed? The jet engine is removed. The bomb bay doors are sealed. The lower half of the cargo bay is off limits due to the fire retardant. Any reference to documents, procedures, or other organizations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.
Dennis Krepil C-119B crew chief
AMC Museum Dover DE

Throwback Thursday: Monsanto ad

Phos-Chek
Vintage Monsanto ad for Phos-Chek.

For Throwback Thursday, here is a look at a vintage ad in which Monsanto is advertising Phos-Chek fire retardant. The ad includes the date, 1977.

The aircraft appears to be a C-119 which last flew over fires when? In the late 1980s? I seem to remember that one fell apart in mid-air while I was fighting one of the hundreds of lightning-caused fires in northern California in 1987. (UPDATE Nov. 21, 2014: we heard from Dale, who told us: “You are correct about the year of the C-119 crash in Northern California. There were 3 people on the airtanker when it crashed. The next day, Buzz Dyer, the USFS Airtanker Program Manager grounded all C-119’s from flying for the FS again.”

You can still see two C-119s at the Greybull Rest Area in Wyoming.

C-119
C-119 on final, about to drop on a fire, ~1972. Photo by Bill Gabbert.

Classic air tankers enhance rest stop in Greybull, Wyoming

A former Royal Canadian Air Force C-119 at the Greybull Rest Area
A former Royal Canadian Air Force C-119 at the Greybull Rest Area

When I drive through Greybull, Wyoming on highway 20/14/16 I sometimes stop at the South Big Horn County Airport to look at the dozens of old aircraft that are the remnants of the glory days of Hawkins and Powers. In 2012 there were still several old war birds on the ramp in front of the former H&P office. When I stopped today I did not see any aircraft on the ramp and the two retired C-119s that had been in the grassy field just west of the office for many years were gone.

Tanker 126 at the Greybull Rest Area
Tanker 126 at the Greybull Rest Area

It turns out that several of them have been moved a few hundred feet to the west at the highway rest stop west of the entrance to the airport (map). The aircraft are separated from the rest stop by a chain link fence, but there is a path developing in the grass along the fence where rest stop visitors walk to inspect and take pictures of the classic air tankers.

These photos were taken at the rest area through the chain link fence.

Greybull Rest Area, Tanker 127
Greybull Rest Area, Tanker 127, a PB4Y-2.
Greybull Rest Area, Tanker 136
Greybull Rest Area, Tanker 136, a C-119J

There are two C-119s. One is a J-model, Tanker 136, with the jet engine bolted onto the top, and the other still has Canadian Royal Air Force written on the side. It may never have been converted to an air tanker and does not have the jet engine. There are also two PB4Y-2 air tankers parked just outside the fence, Tankers 126 and 127.

There are still a couple of dozen old military surplus aircraft in the field northwest of the airport runways.
Continue reading

Photographic essay of air tankers, by Joe Cupido

Aero Union's P3A Tanker 22
Aero Union’s P3A Tanker 22 getting reloaded at Hemet Ryan Air Attack Base while another P3A is headed towards the fire.

We are honored to present a photographic essay of air tankers by professional photographer Joe Cupido. He tells us below about his career in photography.

I grew up in a military family and acquired the love of aviation early on. When I was in high school I started photographing aircraft. Then later while in the military I became a Combat Photographer / Photojournalist and continued photographing aircraft professionally. I specialized in Air to Air photography working with the military and for some of the major aircraft companies. I was lucky enough to finish my career with about 5,500 hours in over 100 different airframes, 7 books and over 2,000 magazines articles on aviation subjects.

I’ve always enjoyed chasing fire-fighting aircraft whenever I had the time. The images below were captured over time and with a lot of cooperation from a lot of good people in the Air Tanker business. Without their help I could not have captured the images that I did and I thank all of you. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks Joe!

Hawkins & Powers Tanker 121
Hawkins & Powers Tanker 121, a PB4Y2, an ex-US Navy World War II patrol bomber.
McDonnell-Douglas DC 10
McDonnell-Douglas DC 10s, Tankers 911 and 910, operated by10 Tanker Air Carrier
Butler Aviation's Douglas DC7's
One of Butler Aviation’s Douglas DC7s, Tanker 66 during engine start. Nothing better than four smoky Pratt & Whitney radial engines.

Continue reading