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Fire Bombers in Action
Fire bombers are aircraft that play a specific they carry water or chemical fire retardant to put out brush and forest fires. The low-level flights over hot and high terrain, along with the up- and down drafts place a huge load on the airframe. Only the sturdiest of aircraft are up to such demanding tasks. Yet, it is worth noting that most of these aircraft are vintage machines - World War II bombers, military cargo planes, and Douglas civil airliners, for the most part, as well as Navy aircraft built to withstand hard carrier landings that are, in reality, controlled crashes. Barry Smith went out to photograph these hardy birds; in addition, he has written an informative text, making this volume more than a pretty picture book.
Paperback
First published September 1, 1995
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May 13, 2013
These Old Aircraft Are Hot Stuff
Fire bombers are aircraft that play a specific role: they carry water or chemical fire retardant to put out brush and forest fires. The low-level flights over hot and high terrain, along with the up- and down drafts place a huge load on the airframe. Only the sturdiest of aircraft are up to such demanding tasks. Yet, it is worth noting that most of these aircraft are vintage machines – World War II bombers, military cargo planes, and Douglas civil airliners, for the most part, as well as Navy aircraft built to withstand hard carrier landings that are, in reality, controlled crashes. Barry Smith went out to photograph these hardy birds; in addition, he has written an informative text, making this volume more than a pretty picture book.
In introducing the reader to this fascinating and little-known area of aviation, Smith refers to the aircraft first used in this role, the mighty Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, an aircraft renowned (and much loved and admired) for its ability to absorb tremendous damage and bring her crew home safely. Most of these superb aircraft were scrapped right after World War II. However, a few lucky airplanes, built at the end of the Second World War, never saw military action and were first used for search-and-rescue duties. In the 1960s and 1970s, these stalwart workhorses found new work as fire bombers; after nearly two decades of front-line service, aviation historians became aware of the tremendous historic value of these planes, which exceeded their worth as fire bombers. These machines are now either museum pieces or expertly restored – if not rebuilt – war birds that fly the airshow circuit, earning their keep by offering pleasure rides for those lucky enough to afford the adventure.
Chapter 1 details life at a tanker base; chapter 2 chronicles air tankers. Both chapters feature an astounding array of aircraft, machines that took over once the World War II planes earned a well-deserved retirement. These aircraft range from ex-Navy machines such as the Lockheed P-2V Neptune and Grumman S-2 Tracker, former Air Force transports such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, and civilian and military Douglas DC-4, DC-6, and DC-7 transports. Also featured is the Canadair CL-215, the only aircraft designed specifically for this role. Rarities, such as the Consolidated PB4Y Privateer and Fairchild C-119 and C-123 also make an appearance. Helicopters are also well suited to the task of picking up a load of water and dropping it at a precise location, the topic of chapter 3. The final section, chapter 4, tells the life of smokejumpers, those brave men and women who are transported to sites to fight the fires on the ground – they are either delivered directly by helicopter or parachute out of airplanes, such as the Short C-23 Sherpa.
The photography may not be artistic, but this is journalism in the true sense of the word. The scenes are spectacular; the text and photos do full justice in chronicling the men, women, and aircraft that are up to one of the most demanding and dangerous jobs in the world.
Fire bombers are aircraft that play a specific role: they carry water or chemical fire retardant to put out brush and forest fires. The low-level flights over hot and high terrain, along with the up- and down drafts place a huge load on the airframe. Only the sturdiest of aircraft are up to such demanding tasks. Yet, it is worth noting that most of these aircraft are vintage machines – World War II bombers, military cargo planes, and Douglas civil airliners, for the most part, as well as Navy aircraft built to withstand hard carrier landings that are, in reality, controlled crashes. Barry Smith went out to photograph these hardy birds; in addition, he has written an informative text, making this volume more than a pretty picture book.
In introducing the reader to this fascinating and little-known area of aviation, Smith refers to the aircraft first used in this role, the mighty Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, an aircraft renowned (and much loved and admired) for its ability to absorb tremendous damage and bring her crew home safely. Most of these superb aircraft were scrapped right after World War II. However, a few lucky airplanes, built at the end of the Second World War, never saw military action and were first used for search-and-rescue duties. In the 1960s and 1970s, these stalwart workhorses found new work as fire bombers; after nearly two decades of front-line service, aviation historians became aware of the tremendous historic value of these planes, which exceeded their worth as fire bombers. These machines are now either museum pieces or expertly restored – if not rebuilt – war birds that fly the airshow circuit, earning their keep by offering pleasure rides for those lucky enough to afford the adventure.
Chapter 1 details life at a tanker base; chapter 2 chronicles air tankers. Both chapters feature an astounding array of aircraft, machines that took over once the World War II planes earned a well-deserved retirement. These aircraft range from ex-Navy machines such as the Lockheed P-2V Neptune and Grumman S-2 Tracker, former Air Force transports such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, and civilian and military Douglas DC-4, DC-6, and DC-7 transports. Also featured is the Canadair CL-215, the only aircraft designed specifically for this role. Rarities, such as the Consolidated PB4Y Privateer and Fairchild C-119 and C-123 also make an appearance. Helicopters are also well suited to the task of picking up a load of water and dropping it at a precise location, the topic of chapter 3. The final section, chapter 4, tells the life of smokejumpers, those brave men and women who are transported to sites to fight the fires on the ground – they are either delivered directly by helicopter or parachute out of airplanes, such as the Short C-23 Sherpa.
The photography may not be artistic, but this is journalism in the true sense of the word. The scenes are spectacular; the text and photos do full justice in chronicling the men, women, and aircraft that are up to one of the most demanding and dangerous jobs in the world.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review