747 becomes a firefighter

Associated Press

A Boeing 747 supertanker releases water during a demonstration of its firefighting ability to officials from California and the federal government in Sacramento, Calif., on Thursday.

The $50 million supertanker, developed by Evergreen International Aviation, can carry up to 20,500 gallons of water or fire retardant, which is twice as much as DC-10s that are currently being used under contract in California.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090612/NEWS02/706129887

Airtanker shows off firefighting prowess in Calif.
Associated Press Newswires 06/11/2009
Copyright 2009. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

SACRAMENTO (AP) - A Boeing 747 Supertanker has been showing off its firefighting ability to officials from California and the federal government.

James Baynes, project manager for Evergreen International Aviation, says the $50 million aircraft carries twice as much fire retardant as DC-10s. Those are the largest firefighting aircraft currently under contract in California.


The Supertanker demonstrated Thursday at McClellan Airfield outside Sacramento. Evergreen, based in McMinnville, Ore., plans to convert as many as 10 of the retired passenger jets to fight fires worldwide.


Federal and state officials are evaluating the Supertanker. California fire spokesman Daniel Berlant says the aircraft can drop a line of retardant up to three miles long but cannot navigate tight mountain canyons.