Wednesday, April 08, 2020

Coulson Aviation's B-737 Fireliner Air Tanker

A few years ago Coulson Aviation began building an airtanker from a Boeing 737 commercial jet liner. The conversion of the passenger jet liner to air tanker configuration took about three years. After testing and various approvals. Coulson’s 737 air tanker, dubbed the Fireliner, T-137, was ready to fly her fire while on contract in New South Wales, Australia. For more information see the following articles from Bill Gabbert of Fire Aviation: July 14, 2018November 15, 2018, and November 22, 2018

Coulson now has built two 737 Fireliners, one was sold to New South Wales Australia, see this press release from Coulson Aviation for more information. The Fireliner can carry 4,000 gallons 05 15,150 liters of retardant. In addition she can carry up to 72 persons, useful for deploying firefighters.

I believe that T-137 may have been on a call-when-needed contract with the U.S. Forest Service in 2019. In 2020, T-137 will be on the first year of a a multi-year contract with the U.S. Forest Service. See this press release from Coulson Aviation and this March 26th article from Fire Aviation for more information.


I am looking forward to seen T-137 in action, albeit in news reports and perhaps videos of her in action during the upcoming fire season here in the United.States. I know that she and her pilots will make a difference.


In closing, I have a couple of videos that I want to share with you. The first video is from Coulson Aviation, and the next two are about New South Wales new B-737 Fireliner, the Marie Bashir






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