Tanker 85, N6453C, BuNo 64041, a PBY-6A at Lancaster, California in August 1975. Courtesy of the Flight Test Museum at Edwards Air Force Base.This photo of a PBY-6A taken at Lancaster, California in August 1975 was sent to us by the Flight Test Museum at Edwards Air Force Base. The PBY-5A and 6A were some of the first amphibious water-scooping airtankers.
I have learned that when writing about tankers from the old days, check with JD Davis since he is a great source for high quality photos and is also generous about sharing them. The five photos below, all PBY-6As, were taken by Mr. Davis, and I am very grateful that he is letting us use them.
The aircraft above (and the next three photos below) have the same FAA registration number, N6453C, but it was variously known by different Airtanker numbers.
Tanker 85, PBY-6A, N6453C, Photo by JD Davis at Ontario in September 1975.
Tanker 54, PBY-6A, N6453C, Photo by JD Davis at Chino in 1969.
Tanker 54, PBY-6A, N6453C, Photo by JD Davis at Chino in 1969.
Tanker 84, PBY-6A, N6456C, Photo by JD Davis at Ontario in November 1975
Tanker 83, PBY-6A, N6458C, Photo by JD Davis at Hemet in May 1971If you have seen the movie Always you remember the PBY-5A in the opening scene:
Currently a CAL FIRE S2-T is using the T-85 number:
Airtanker 85, an S-2T, at MCC on March 26, 2018. Photo by Sergio Maraschin.