Firebirds! Forest Fire Fighting Aircraft GB.

Grifter123 wrote:

chopperfan wrote: What unit was he with? I have a website of a squadron that that particular plane flew with. I might be able to cross reference the other numbers with existing birds? Let me know.    I believe it was VP-7, although I'm not positive.  I know they were stationed in Greenland and Newfoundland for a time. It was around 1960 or so.

Okee dokee............. if it WAS VP-7 these are the Neptunes that served with them. in the 131 series anyway, that the where-abouts are known. Now, I did come across a couple in that range that are not listed on the VP site. So, I don't know if they were in VP-7 or not.

131410        -    Jacksonville NAS - 2005 - static display

131482        -    Evergreen - 2003 - storage in AZ

131506        -    Neptune Aviation - 2000 - spare in Missoula, MT

The year is the last known information. According to F.A.A. records, Neptune Aviation has 18 Neptunes registered.

Randie,

  I finally got ahold of dad last night and it was indeed VP-7, and we went through the lists on warbirds and FAA.  We couldn't find his primary or secondary planes, or the one his crew borrowed to fly to the arctic circle.  Your findings have the same result.  So it doesn't look like any of the aircraft he was familiar with are still around, they probably wore out and were scrapped long ago! Thanks again for your efforts looking into this, and sorry to hijack the thread!

Grifter,

      I enjoyed hearing about it all! Was very interesting, learned a few things and found more interesting links. I don't think you hijacked the thread, it was all relevant to the topic. More research material at hand for future reference!    I think we all agree that if we can help someone, it's all good!

Cheers, Richie

Someone just donated to me an Academy CH-46 that I am considering making into a Firebird. I need something for my "Fire Boss" to direct!

HawkeyeHobbies wrote:

Someone just donated to me an Academy CH-46 that I am considering making into a Firebird. I need something for my "Fire Boss" to direct!

I like the Thunderbolt, I knew it would look good in firefighting colors.

Imagine loitering above it all in a JUG? That would be nice! Really nice looking! Sorta like an modified Arctic scheme.

Cheers, Richie

I hope to start my CH-46 project this weekend...I've christened it "Tinkle Bug". I've got to dig throught the spares to find some clear blisters for the observers windows and fab up something for the pilot and copilot doors so the crew can stick their heads out further. A little master making and vac forming I think will do the trick. This is gonna be fun! I'll be sure to post WIP here as well as in my blog.

"Tinkling On Fires Is Our Specialty"

YES, please tell and show us Hawk!!!! Us builders of 1/72 are on a constant quest of getting nice looking scale canopies and glass work. Can't wait to see the pics! Love the name too!!!

Cheers, Richie

Aaronw wrote:

Bondoman, I don't know, it looks like his most recent post was Feb and I didn't see anything about leaving for awhile.   I'm going through and trying to finish up a bunch of my incomplete builds, some go back several years. Since this build is starting up again I thought I'd post the firefighting related ones as I finish them.   Anyway, I just finished this up, it is a Sikorsky S58 operated by Aircrane Inc in Atlanta, GA. They are primarily an airlifting outfit but do contract for firefighting services. I found some pics of this one from the 70's at airliners.com. I doubt they still have any of these piston engined helicopters in service but they do operate a fleet of the turbine S58T's in a slightly different paint job.           I used the 1/72 Italeri UH-34J kit basically OOB with decals I made on the computer.

Hey Aaron!

I've been watching the fire out in Corralitos on the NBC 11 on the net and I saw an S-58 on a couple of different occasions. I could see it good enough to tell it was an S-58, but not whether it was a turbo or not. It was red and white, so I am going to try and do a search and try and figure out who might be flying it out there. 

chopperfan wrote:

Aaronw wrote: Bondoman, I don't know, it looks like his most recent post was Feb and I didn't see anything about leaving for awhile.   I'm going through and trying to finish up a bunch of my incomplete builds, some go back several years. Since this build is starting up again I thought I'd post the firefighting related ones as I finish them.   Anyway, I just finished this up, it is a Sikorsky S58 operated by Aircrane Inc in Atlanta, GA. They are primarily an airlifting outfit but do contract for firefighting services. I found some pics of this one from the 70's at airliners.com. I doubt they still have any of these piston engined helicopters in service but they do operate a fleet of the turbine S58T's in a slightly different paint job.           I used the 1/72 Italeri UH-34J kit basically OOB with decals I made on the computer. Hey Aaron! I've been watching the fire out in Corralitos on the NBC 11 on the net and I saw an S-58 on a couple of different occasions. I could see it good enough to tell it was an S-58, but not whether it was a turbo or not. It was red and white, so I am going to try and do a search and try and figure out who might be flying it out there.

I started watching at 6.00 am which is when I get up and it went from 500 to 1000 to 3000 acres over the day. It's now being called the Summit Fire, I think.

Looked at youtube and saw a few vids on the santa cruz fires and they showed some S58Ts with a dark bottom, looked black or dark blue. Was too fuzzy to be sure. One vid that caught my attention was a Huey Cobra in USFS garb! N107Z Very striking scheme on a Cobra I must say. Making notes to self on that one for future referance!

Cheers, Richie

Just checking in with an update on my Conair DC-6.  Got the upper and lower paint scheme done.  Hey, actually got the lines strait.

Looking good Scott! Very nice! Was going to ask what scale, scrolled back, and saw that its 1/144! How did you do your tank? Was wondering if your technique might be used in 1/72?

Cheers, Richie

simpilot34 wrote:

Looked at youtube and saw a few vids on the santa cruz fires and they showed some S58Ts with a dark bottom, looked black or dark blue. Was too fuzzy to be sure. One vid that caught my attention was a Huey Cobra in USFS garb! N107Z Very striking scheme on a Cobra I must say. Making notes to self on that one for future referance! Cheers, Richie

I'm becoming convinced the USFS Cobra is a hoax. All the photos of it are of the (pilots) right side and I've never seen it on a fire despite being on huge fires when not much else is going on in the state (Zaca 2 last year for example).

I think someone pocketed several million dollars and it is really just one of those old vertibird play sets and there is a wire arm coming out of the left side.

simpilot34 wrote:

Looking good Scott! Very nice! Was going to ask what scale, scrolled back, and saw that its 1/144! How did you do your tank? Was wondering if your technique might be used in 1/72? Cheers, Richie

The kit comes as a representation of a Conair DC-6.  The tank comes molded and the fit was less than good. Took quite a bit of filling and sanding, even for 1/144.  But overall, it is looking good.  I'm am putting on the landing gear tonight and hope to have all the decals dressed out this week. 

Now I want to start on my A-26 but also wouldn't mind doing a TBM like what flew out of Missoula.

Scott

simpilot34 wrote:

Looking good Scott! Very nice! Was going to ask what scale, scrolled back, and saw that its 1/144! How did you do your tank? Was wondering if your technique might be used in 1/72? Cheers, Richie

I am going to attempt to cast one in resin for the 1/72 Heller -6 kit. I have one that came with the -6 Securite Civile version and am going to use it for a pattern. I don't know when I will be able to get around to it, though. First I have to get some RTV and resin! The reason I am going to try and cast one is to make it like the ones used by Aero Union and others. The tank that came in the kit was of a different type.

So, if you're not in a biiiiig hurry. I will see what I can come up with. 

Aaronw wrote:

simpilot34 wrote: Looked at youtube and saw a few vids on the santa cruz fires and they showed some S58Ts with a dark bottom, looked black or dark blue. Was too fuzzy to be sure. One vid that caught my attention was a Huey Cobra in USFS garb! N107Z Very striking scheme on a Cobra I must say. Making notes to self on that one for future referance! Cheers, Richie   I'm becoming convinced the USFS Cobra is a hoax. All the photos of it are of the (pilots) right side and I've never seen it on a fire despite being on huge fires when not much else is going on in the state (Zaca 2 last year for example). I think someone pocketed several million dollars and it is really just one of those old vertibird play sets and there is a wire arm coming out of the left side.

In this video on youtube they showed a left side shot pretty close inside a hangar on one of the slides. Google the rego and see what you think. It seems to be used to detect hot spots. Has an IR turret under the nose. Dunno, but it looks pretty cool!

Cheers, Richie

chopperfan wrote:

simpilot34 wrote: Looking good Scott! Very nice! Was going to ask what scale, scrolled back, and saw that its 1/144! How did you do your tank? Was wondering if your technique might be used in 1/72? Cheers, Richie I am going to attempt to cast one in resin for the 1/72 Heller -6 kit. I have one that came with the -6 Securite Civile version and am going to use it for a pattern. I don't know when I will be able to get around to it, though. First I have to get some RTV and resin! The reason I am going to try and cast one is to make it like the ones used by Aero Union and others. The tank that came in the kit was of a different type. So, if you're not in a biiiiig hurry. I will see what I can come up with.

I am not in a biiiiiiig hurry at all! That would be awesome Randie!!!! That is the type of tank I was thinking of anyway. Doing Tanker 68 which I think was Aero Union, so I am willing to wait to see what you come up with. Was kicking around the idea of heat forming, so the same offer stands with me. I'll see what I can come up with.

Cheers, Richie

simpilot34 wrote:

chopperfan wrote:  simpilot34 wrote: Looking good Scott! Very nice! Was going to ask what scale, scrolled back, and saw that its 1/144! How did you do your tank? Was wondering if your technique might be used in 1/72? Cheers, Richie I am going to attempt to cast one in resin for the 1/72 Heller -6 kit. I have one that came with the -6 Securite Civile version and am going to use it for a pattern. I don't know when I will be able to get around to it, though. First I have to get some RTV and resin! The reason I am going to try and cast one is to make it like the ones used by Aero Union and others. The tank that came in the kit was of a different type. So, if you're not in a biiiiig hurry. I will see what I can come up with.  I am not in a biiiiiiig hurry at all! That would be awesome Randie!!!! That is the type of tank I was thinking of anyway. Doing Tanker 68 which I think was Aero Union, so I am willing to wait to see what you come up with. Was kicking around the idea of heat forming, so the same offer stands with me. I'll see what I can come up with. Cheers, Richie

Well, actually, tanker 68 was TBM/Butler but it did have an Aero Union tank.

As soon as i can get the stuff ordered to start the project I'll get right on it. 

chopperfan wrote:

simpilot34 wrote:  chopperfan wrote:  simpilot34 wrote: Looking good Scott! Very nice! Was going to ask what scale, scrolled back, and saw that its 1/144! How did you do your tank? Was wondering if your technique might be used in 1/72? Cheers, Richie I am going to attempt to cast one in resin for the 1/72 Heller -6 kit. I have one that came with the -6 Securite Civile version and am going to use it for a pattern. I don't know when I will be able to get around to it, though. First I have to get some RTV and resin! The reason I am going to try and cast one is to make it like the ones used by Aero Union and others. The tank that came in the kit was of a different type. So, if you're not in a biiiiig hurry. I will see what I can come up with.  I am not in a biiiiiiig hurry at all! That would be awesome Randie!!!! That is the type of tank I was thinking of anyway. Doing Tanker 68 which I think was Aero Union, so I am willing to wait to see what you come up with. Was kicking around the idea of heat forming, so the same offer stands with me. I'll see what I can come up with. Cheers, Richie Well, actually, tanker 68 was TBM/Butler but it did have an Aero Union tank. As soon as i can get the stuff ordered to start the project I'll get right on it.

You're awesome mate! THANK YOU!!! Will pm you details later, just say when.

simpilot34 wrote:

chopperfan wrote:  simpilot34 wrote:  chopperfan wrote:  simpilot34 wrote: Looking good Scott! Very nice! Was going to ask what scale, scrolled back, and saw that its 1/144! How did you do your tank? Was wondering if your technique might be used in 1/72? Cheers, Richie I am going to attempt to cast one in resin for the 1/72 Heller -6 kit. I have one that came with the -6 Securite Civile version and am going to use it for a pattern. I don't know when I will be able to get around to it, though. First I have to get some RTV and resin! The reason I am going to try and cast one is to make it like the ones used by Aero Union and others. The tank that came in the kit was of a different type. So, if you're not in a biiiiig hurry. I will see what I can come up with.  I am not in a biiiiiiig hurry at all! That would be awesome Randie!!!! That is the type of tank I was thinking of anyway. Doing Tanker 68 which I think was Aero Union, so I am willing to wait to see what you come up with. Was kicking around the idea of heat forming, so the same offer stands with me. I'll see what I can come up with. Cheers, Richie Well, actually, tanker 68 was TBM/Butler but it did have an Aero Union tank. As soon as i can get the stuff ordered to start the project I'll get right on it.  You're awesome mate! THANK YOU!!! Will pm you details later, just say when.

OK, it's just going to be a matter of time and material.

I just finshed studying all of the pictures I have of Tanker 68 and it uses the same basic tank as the one that comes with the Heller kit. I won't have to make any mods to it just get the material and cast one. Material is the big hold up now. But, just as soon as I am able, I will get the resin adn RTV and get it done. 

chopperfan wrote:

simpilot34 wrote:  chopperfan wrote:  simpilot34 wrote:  chopperfan wrote:  simpilot34 wrote: Looking good Scott! Very nice! Was going to ask what scale, scrolled back, and saw that its 1/144! How did you do your tank? Was wondering if your technique might be used in 1/72? Cheers, Richie I am going to attempt to cast one in resin for the 1/72 Heller -6 kit. I have one that came with the -6 Securite Civile version and am going to use it for a pattern. I don't know when I will be able to get around to it, though. First I have to get some RTV and resin! The reason I am going to try and cast one is to make it like the ones used by Aero Union and others. The tank that came in the kit was of a different type. So, if you're not in a biiiiig hurry. I will see what I can come up with.  I am not in a biiiiiiig hurry at all! That would be awesome Randie!!!! That is the type of tank I was thinking of anyway. Doing Tanker 68 which I think was Aero Union, so I am willing to wait to see what you come up with. Was kicking around the idea of heat forming, so the same offer stands with me. I'll see what I can come up with. Cheers, Richie Well, actually, tanker 68 was TBM/Butler but it did have an Aero Union tank. As soon as i can get the stuff ordered to start the project I'll get right on it.  You're awesome mate! THANK YOU!!! Will pm you details later, just say when. OK, it's just going to be a matter of time and material. I just finshed studying all of the pictures I have of Tanker 68 and it uses the same basic tank as the one that comes with the Heller kit. I won't have to make any mods to it just get the material and cast one. Material is the big hold up now. But, just as soon as I am able, I will get the resin adn RTV and get it done.

Thats great!!! Thanks again!!!

Cheers, Richie

Started working on the blister windows for my "Tinkle Bug" project. I am working on the rear observers blisters first, they will be the easiest.

You can follow along with the build on my blog. 

Still deciding as to whether it will carry an internal or external fire suppression appraratus.

Hawkeye, thanks for showing us those photos. That puts a lil more in perspective on how to start vacforming things. I have been reluctant to try but actually seeing a few step by step photos it makes more sense now. Will be keeping watch on your blog as well!

Cheers, Richie

Ok, I actually started a new project just for this build (like I need an excuse to start a new project ).

I'm building the Bell 205A++ we use here in the park using Italeri's 1/72 UH-1H kit.

Here is where I've gotten so far.

Aaron, looking great so far mate!!!! Looking forward to seeing this build progressing! You're right, who needs an excuse to start another project. Great work!

Cheers, richie

bondoman wrote:

We've had a couple dozen fires this week. The action has been a Skycrane and a couple of S2's. so far it's all under control.

I've been keeping an eye on that, Bondo. I also saw the Sacramento Huey's working the fires over that way.