"Bertie the Bunyip" wrote in message
.. .
"patrick mitchel" wrote in
:

After watching the multiplicity of ac doing their jobs on the southern
cal fires this last week and hearing that the guvmint C130 had the
wrong sized tanks and the forestry dept and said guvmint were haggling
over what should be done, I thought I'd ask what is the opinions of
others regarding what current - or hypothetical craft would be
considered for the role. Thanks Pat


Well, C130 tanks are a lot bigger than what you would have in an Agwagon
or
something..
Old hercs are relatively inexpensive and it's whatever is wiling to be
spent on the job that dictates the size and suitability of the airplane to
the task.
Ideally, you could get the Russians to build an air force of AN225
modified
for the task, or you could get thousands upon thousands of smaller
aircraft
as well as the support to service them in the field, but who's gonna pay
for it?



Bertie
That's the other question- the dedicated craft that sits off work or the
generalist that you haul the tanks in and out of depending on the season-
though fire season seems to be 365 d/yr here. Gotta say the ericsson
skycranes look amazing on the job.