Hey Ft. Worth...look up in the sky for a Neptune & Orion

Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:01 pm

Earlier today, I was told that Aero Union is going to be helping with fires that are burning in the Ft. Worth area today. And just moments ago, I heard two 3350's, immediately followed by a God-awful racket, that was produced by the jet engines on the Neptune. That's the first time I've heard one of those in flight with the jets going. What a horrible way to ruin the good music of two great sounding round engines!

Anyway, about 15 minutes after that, the P-3 Orion flew overhead. Both were going the direction of Ft. Worth. But I must say that seems like an awful long way to just drop one load of retardant per airplane.

Gary

Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:41 pm

From what I understand there were two tanker flights from Midland yesterday. One made a drop just south of Wichita Falls and the other near Llano.

The air is much cleaner today in the metroplex...but there are still fires to the west and north...

Wonder where they are going?

Z

Website · Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:56 pm

huh thats kinda funny... today in turbine overhaul class we pulled the jet engine out of and back into a mockup neptune pod.

Fri Apr 10, 2009 3:25 pm

A few years ago we had a bad wildfire in Bastrop, TX, and they called in a C-130 tanker from far, far away. There was a light twin leading the way, acting as a target spotter I guess. By the time they got to the scene, the fire was under control, but they had to make the drop anyway. A friend on the volunteer fire department got some neat photos. So, I guess they fly long distances when they need to.

Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:38 pm

I had noticed the Neptune and Orion sitting on the ramp the last few days. Is Aero Union going to base them in Midland until the fire danger lesson some?

Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:49 pm

MX304 wrote:I had noticed the Neptune and Orion sitting on the ramp the last few days. Is Aero Union going to base them in Midland until the fire danger lesson some?

I dunno, but they're sure working them hard today. Sounds like North Texas got hit pretty bad by the fires.

Gary

Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:35 pm

retroaviation wrote:
MX304 wrote:I had noticed the Neptune and Orion sitting on the ramp the last few days. Is Aero Union going to base them in Midland until the fire danger lesson some?

I dunno, but they're sure working them hard today. Sounds like North Texas got hit pretty bad by the fires.

Gary

Hopefully the rains coming will help...

Lynn

Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:33 am

Well we have had rain forecasted before down here, and we have had about 1/2" in the last six months. Not holding my breath. What we need is an armada of round motor fire bombers, then the rain and we can go play with the birds.

Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:06 am

I never saw the bombers in person, but they got some good pictures of them working on TV. Channel 4 (KDFW) had some excellent video of both one of the Erickson Air Cranes and the Aero Union P-3 making drops on both Thursday and Friday.

Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:03 pm

It looks like they broke the Neptune. Earlier today it was pushed into the AMI hangar with the right side 3350 off of it.

Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:07 pm

Prayers out to you folks in TX .... hope all will work out for the better. We here in CAL know your pain as far as fires are concerned ...

Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:02 pm

Obergrafeter wrote:Well we have had rain forecasted before down here, and we have had about 1/2" in the last six months. Not holding my breath. What we need is an armada of round motor fire bombers, then the rain and we can go play with the birds.

It rained on me 4 times today....twice while on the ground at Burnet and twice in the air.....each lasting about 90 seconds..... :roll:

Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:06 pm

I saw the air crane fly by heading north yesterday.

Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:06 pm

I saw the air crane fly by heading north yesterday.