Picture is worth a 1000 words

[tor lives]

I'd hazard a guess because it falls into the category of General Aviation....lwhich the powers that be have absolutely no interest in fostering..

Yep.....I suspect you are indeed correct Damo.
Besides, spending money on things like LATs/VLATs is just not sexy or vote-winning for a government, (unless of course it's your town being wiped out by a fire.....than a big ol angel-of-mercy VLAT DC-10 sweeping done from the heavens is VERY sexy indeed!!!).
In principal, committing to buying a fleet of LATs/VLATS is a little like the desal plant project here in Victoria.
I admire the government-of-the-day that had the balls and vision to commit to this long term project that common sense, (and history), suggests we will need at some stage in the future. Yet it is very trendy in the short term for almost everyone to hang shit on and debunk this decision, and call the desal plant a "white elephant" that has no use or function. Bet those who will at some stage in the future depend on it for their drinking water will see things differently then.
Desal plants, LATS/VLATs etc...... they should all be seen as essential "insurance policies" for different kinds of disasters in the future.
TOR

[hrtpaul]

For anyone that is on FaceBook, this is a great page with a lot of awesome pics and vids of all sorts of fire bombers in action https://www.facebook.com/groups/FireBombers/?fref=ts

[tor lives]

To compliment the new generation of former passenger jet VLATs, here is an MD-87 VLAT doing it's thing.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=33 ... =2&theater
Did I mention that we apparently don't need these useless things here in Australia.... cause we are so special
TOR

[davecana]

I just checked the specs for the MD-87, and it only carries 4000 gal (15100 lts). I think we would be better off with a couple of DC-10 airtankers. They carry 12000 gals (45000lts), so one run through is equivalent to 5 aircrane drops. Two or three DC-10 tankers, at Sydney and Melbourne should cover the summer fire season.

[tor lives]

Just heard on the radio that "two large fixed wing tankers will be taken on lease and bought to Australia" , to be based at Avalon for our up-coming fire season. Finally!!! some common sense prevails. Now let's all watch and see the "experts" on the other site talk this down, and tell us all why this is a waste of money .
TOR
PS: Bravo to the decision makers on this one!!!

[hrtpaul]

Woot woot. On a sadder note, an S-2T Tracker, Tanker 81 crashed killing the pilot in thew States a couple of days ago while working a fire in Yosemite National Park. RIP sir

[tor lives]

S-2T Tracker, Tanker 81 crashed killing the pilot in the States a couple of days ago while working a fire in Yosemite National Park. RIP sir

Like emergency services personnel all over the world, these LAT/VLAT aircrews must be considered national heroes by any definition, and should be given the same level of respect, reverence, and acknowledgement as any military aircrew member who is lost in the line of duty!!
These guys and girls, (many of whom I have had the absolute privilege and honour of meeting), put their lives on the line everyday undertaking a task (and battling a merciless and unforgiving enemy), that is every bit as dangerous, volatile, and risky as any military mission in hostile airspace.
To the brave crew of Tanker 81 I tip my hat and salute you....as said by Paul, RIP knowing you have done an amazing job.
TOR