I have blogged about aerial wildland firefighting since 2009. I am not a firefighter and am not a pilot, just an interested bystander who wants to learn more and share what I learn here. Join me here as I blog on the aircraft and the pilots who fight wildland fires from the air in support of crews on the ground. I also blog on concerns affecting fire crews on the ground as well as other aviation and meteorology issues. Learn what it takes to do jobs that are staffed by the best of the best.
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I'm writing a kids' book about "strange airborne cargo" and want to include a fire bomber. I'm thinking of the P2 Neptune. The account needs to include something specific that the tankers were able to save. Did the P2 or other tankers help save the Mt. Wilson Observatory?
ReplyDeleteIf not, do you have a suggestion of a some other "thing" that was saved by the P2.
Thanks!
Aunt Linda,
ReplyDeleteYes, I do know that airtankers and helicopters were a part of the efforts to save the Mt. Wilson Observatory. I recall watching live feed of these tankers at the time. I don't honestly recall if P-2's were involved. For your book, the important thing to note is that the tankers and helicopters provide aerial support to support the wildland firefighters on the ground.
As for the specific types of aircraft that made drops on Mt. Wilson, I recall seeing a Martin Mars, and one of the very large air tankers. There were others, but I don't recall every aircraft that I saw. I wrote some other blog articles at the time that you might want to check out.
Perhaps you want to talk to the folk at Mt. Wilson? As well as CAL FIRE and the USFS, and LA media?
Tyler