Wasn't Col Pay killed while experimenting with a water scoop on an AG aircraft on Lake Liddell. I wonder where this work went, or is someone still carrying on with it?
Re DC10 and bigger fire bombers: Wouldn't their speed cut their time down from the fire to the lake. I'm thinking of The big Lake...Pacific Ocean or Botany bay for the Sydney region being discussed in these fires. I guess you need somewhere for it to stand while a big pump fills it up.
The Boeing idea appears sound. a C130 could utilize this idea.