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August 31, 2009

Tanker 979 (747 Supertanker) Maiden Fire Drop

 
MyFoxLA was the first to follow the Supertanker as it circled the Station Fire and made its first drop on a live fire. This day has been long in coming for the people at Evergreen Aviation in Marana Arizona.

The tanker offers up 20,000 gallons per load. Consider that Tanker 910, the DC-10 Supertanker delivers 12,000 gallons.

There is a new weapon over California fires and it is about time.

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Posted by: retired cap mike: 8:31 PM  5 comments


Tanker 979, The 747 Supetanker Expected Over Fires Today

 
As yet the contracted jumbo jet supertanker has not been pressed into service. The US Forest Service passed on signing up the weapon in 2007 but this year Cal Fire smartly offered the group from Evergreen Aviation a deal.

Here is a promo video of Tanker 979 over the desert near Tucson. The 747 supertanker has a payload of 20,000 gallons. Tanker 910, the DC-10 supertanker delivers 12,000 gallons of water or retardant.



I can't wait to see the first images of this aircraft in operation over a fire.

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Posted by: retired cap mike: 8:27 AM  3 comments