DC-10 firefighting OMG

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I know these guys are at the edge of the envelope but that is proper scary



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgdmW-Q7ZCI

(video found courtesy of ralphrj's post in the GIF thread)

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Eric Mc said:

I often wonder how the airframes stand up to such treatment. These aeroplanes were not really designed to be hauled through such manoeuvers at low altitude. We had the wing come off an old C-130 a few years ago.

Yup, even though a lot of the fleet is ex-mil its transport stuff that wouldn't be designed for a lifetime of those manouvres. Lots been lost over the years, especially when you add in low-vis from smoke. The converted DC-10 and the 747 must have some very specific restrictions and customised ops manuals alongside mods. Only takes an engine surge or hydraulic glitch to take out the very slim margins, especially in hot, swirling air. Probably as easy to get life insurance as having BASE jumper on your cv .....

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FourWheelDrift said:

If there's a failure in the release mechanism there's a much heavier aircraft trying to pull up and avoid the mountain. One of the Martin Mars flying boats was lost that way.

I had the pleasure of the Mars owner's company a decade ago when he invited me back to his house for dinner. A spectacular location on the elbow of Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island but unfortunately I didn't get to see any of the Mars. He'd selected all the timbers for the house individually from the local forest, quite a place. I did see their helicopter fleet which were mostly loggers with some fire fighting duties for the US & Canadian forestry services. Logging's another area that abuses the aircraft and puts pilots on slim margins. Compared to what we were doing on offshore oil it was something else and those guys were pretty skilled at maintaining as well as flying the aircraft. He also owned a very early Piasecki tandem rotor which I think he later donated to the Smithsonian. It sat in the reception of their facility, still leaking oil after many decades on the ground.

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Charlie1986 said:

We have been watching the french fight some local forrest fires in the vidaban region using 2 twin engined aircraft. and when they come over the villa you can make out the details there that close. The Helicopter virtually drags the water/powder dispenser through the top of the trees. But would like to see the DC-10 doing it!

Yup, those are purpose built CL-415 water bombers, based at Marseilles-Marignane, used to see them regularly when I was visiting Eurocopter.

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Simpo Two said:

Re the ice pilot, why didn't he haul it back up the monment he touched? Must have known what had happened...

He did belatedly.....longer video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hDgtyIbD-M

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Mutley said:

One of my favourite films (a remake of a 1943 film A Guy Named Joe) correct A26s, PBY Catalina, C-119

Great romance, had me blubbing too

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Cost to convert/operate is a sizeable chunk larger. They have been on trial for yesrs so the customers have quantitative evidence as to what is more effective per $. Larger fleet of smaller, more targetted equipment seems to be favoured. Also got to remember its a seasonal business and these are a bit of a 1-trick pony.