Coulson’s C-130Q which later became Tanker 134. Coulson photo, April 2017.As this is written the names of the three crew members that perished in the crash of Coulson’s Tanker 134 have not been released. While we are waiting on that, here is some information about the aircraft itself. (UPDATE: the three men have been identified)
It is an EC-130Q, one of only 12 that were manufactured. The model began as strategic communications links for the U.S. Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine force and as a backup communications link for the U. S. Air Force manned strategic bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile forces. They are similar to the C-130H, but the 12 “Q” models were outfitted with complex electronics systems, including a six-mile long trailing wire antenna, for communicating with submarines and bombers. Some of them still have the remains of a vent in front of the main landing gear for cooling the winch that was used to reel in the long antenna.
C-130Q that later became T-134, on the way to a makeover May, 2017. Coulson photo.Tanker 134 (N134CG, Serial #382-4904) was manufactured in 1981. Coulson began converting it into an air tanker in early 2017. At that time it looked like it was far from what it later became.
By August of 2018 it was essentially complete, but still had not been painted. During the 2018/2019 bushfire season it was in Australia on its first firefighting contract. Its first drop on a wildfire occurred around November 1, 2018 a few kilometers away from NASA’s Deep Space Network of satellite antennas near Canberra, Australia.
Air tanker 134 dropping on a fire near NASA’s Deep Space Network of satellite antennas near Canberra, Australia. The first drop by T-134 on a live fire was on this fire.
Air tanker 134 seen on the first live fire it dropped on, in Australia, around November 1 , 2018.It continued to serve throughout the bushfire season and by April, 2019 it received new livery after migrating back to the U.S.
Tanker 134 at Medford, Oregon July 27, 2019. Photo by Tim Crippin.During the 2019 fire season in the United States T-134 was on a contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It was seen across the state that summer, and for a while operated out of Ramona, an airport with a relatively short runway that presents a challenge for some large air tankers.
Air Tanker 134, a C-130Q, parked at Ramona Air Attack Base August 3 2019. Photo by K. E. Pack Photography.In August November or December, 2019 it began working in Australia again.
14 Comments
I think Tanker 134 went to Australia later than August of 2019, it was flying out of Redding on the Red Bank Fire.
You might be right. I initially had it starting again in November, 2019, but several other sources are saying it was in August. Here it looks like November.
The Red Bank Fire was in early September.
Happy to help.
RIP to the crew, I saw Tanker 134 during air attack training in May, and then several times throughout the season. It’s beyond tragic.
T-134 arrived 6 December and T-131 arrived end of September
Thank you
Yep agree cause they were in Battle Mountain and Stead in Nevada this year
Tanker 134 was making drops on the Briceburg Fire Near Yosemite in October last year and I believe it was assigned to the Kincade Fire later that month . They few a ton sorties out of McClellan as they were being used to train Cal Fire’s future C-130 pilots. They will be missed by all of us in California, Rest In Peace all .
OK. That helps. T-134 started in Australia either November 16 or December 12.
Thanks.
No Worries Bill
TW
I use to see the EC-130sat Hickam in Hawaii frequently
Regrets for our colleagues who died in the fight against these monstrous fires in New South Wales
#Megafires are one of the real subjects of reflection for #firefighters around the world
Firefighters or waterbombers, field fighters or air attack we are from the same family
Proud to be part of this corporation
Ch’elli riposinu in Santa pace
A great loss to the aerial fire fighting community. As part of a retardant mixing and loading team at Avalon LAT base in Victoria Australia, I met Ian, the chief pilot, and we loaded T134 whilst it was based here during our 2018/2019 season.
How many sorties did it conduct near Yosemite?
134 was assigned to the Briceburg Fire most of the week. I saw it on Oct 7 along with several LAT and VLAT and S-2’s . I saw it make 3 drops and I’m sure there we’re more that day.
Tim
Comments are closed for this article!