747-200 Firefighter?

[BigHitDH]

Rumour has it that Evergreen International is converting one of their 747-200's (N470EV I believe) into a firefighting aircraft, capeable of dropping 24,000lbs of fire retardant on a target.

I'm wondering how useful this will be. I'm not convinced the 742 airframe will stand up to such long-term-low-altitude abuse, in the same manner as say, a C-130. Does anyone with any experience in this field have any thoughts?

In any case, it will be interesting to see how fast they can refill it!

[Basil]

Theoretically could carry 10 times that mass - just have to be a bit careful with the trim :ooh:

(Guess not the RB who flew for BA, GF & SQ ?)

[broadreach]

I think this - not Evergreen per se, just the adaptablity of a 742 to the rigours of low-level drops and of quick refilling - has been discussed in another thread, a few months ago. Could the threads be merged?

[BigHitDH]

(Guess not the RB who flew for BA, GF & SQ ?)

Basil, if you are reffering to me, no, I'm not.

[Zoner]

N471EV
24,000 US Gallons (not pounds)
Eight tanks on pallets, load through nose cargo door
Pull in, slide off empty tanks, slide on full tanks, 1 hour turn.
Flight profiles have been tested in sim and will be different from C-130.
New aircraft, new tank system, new high speed computer controlled pumps and drop system. This is really a new concept for fighting fires and should not be compared to existing aircraft or systems. Will it be effective is the big question.

[Cyclic Hotline]

New concept, except for one thing.



Evergreen!:ouch:



Time will be the test.

[Zoner]

Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 2:27 PM
Subject: Heads Up


Check NOTAM for Pinal Airpark (KMZJ) TUS R-308/33 from 15 Feb - 15 Mar
04. Evergreen Air Center is testing an experimental Boeing 747 jumbo
aerial firefighting tanker. The Jumbo Tanker will operate VFR within 10
NM of KMZJ and make water drops near the airfield at various altitudes
from 10,000' MSL down to 800' AGL. They will be working with Tucson
Approach during the tests. Expect 180,000 lbs of water to exit the
tanker within 8 seconds at 225 PSI which may take a few thousand feet to
fully atomize. Don't get caught under the tanker lest you become a
flamed-out flying submarine! POC at Evergreen is Bob Roshak at (000)
000-0000.