A few of these C-130s came from the Royal Norwegian Air Force. It's really cool that Coulson decided to keep the Norse names like Balder and Froy. Before they were retired they had new wings and were in tip top shape. They were parked in the desert for quite a while before Coulson picked them up. My dad used to fly these exact aircraft so it's really cool to see them fly again.
Dunno if the 737 guys mentioned it and it just got lost for editing, but when planes are flying slow we have the flaps out which along with increasing lift also pushes the nose down so the forward view is actually pretty good at that point!
I am insanely jealous that you were able to get a close-up tour of a firefighting airplane. And this is coming from me, a Firefighter Lieutenant Specialist! 🚒
Mike, been rewatching a lot of your content recently and just have to say: it’s always such great “comfort food” to have on to just put you in a great mood.
Doug/ Michael - This was very great to see, but I still have to say that I'm still partial to watching the firebombing Mariner land on a lake to suck up water and then make a dousing run too.
I've wondered if the pilots have to anticipate the lightening of the plane - the 737 did a nose dip / yaw at the drop and then corrected. I bet the plane handles quite differently with the water. I wonder if they add the red or orange fire retardant for real fires? I read this allows better tracking of the drop (where it went), has a fire inhibitor and also allows for accuracy so the water doesn't mist away as it looked like it did on the runway drop illustration.
When I was at Folk on the Rocks in Yellowknife a few years back they were filling from the lake next to the festival. It was incredible to see. I hope Downie can take us in one of those someday. Even if it’s just his camera that gets to go on the plane and he has to do a rare voiceover.
Mike what a educational and timely video. Thanks to all the men and women who put their lives on line fighting wild fires. Thank you for doing this video.
When they are fighting fires, they don't drop water; they drop a mixture of water and a special fire retardant mixture that is often red. Also, Coulson used to operate the Martin Mars as a converted water bomber up until a few years ago (go look it up; it is awesome). I recall that for a bit that they operated the 747-400 supertanker as well.
Those fire liner pilots are insane. I’ve seen them do a few drops in the mountains of Utah. Watching them weave through the mountains to get the correct line on the fire is a sight to behold.
What a great and timely video! We recently had a brush fire near our live-feed railroad camera in Cajon Pass (CA), and the helicopter water-drops were amazing to watch close-up and done with precision. Absolute professionals, all of these firefighters.
If I am not mistaken, I was able to get a tour of 131 as it was going through modification at SBD. As a former USAF Flight Engineer, I was very impressed. Coulson has a nice operation. a tour of 131 as it was going through modification at SBD. As a former USAF Flight Engineer, I was very impressed. Coulson has a nice operation. Glad to see your video.
Great job. I like that you are expanding your experiences to different areas. At first I was worried, I love the train videos a bunch - but you are so talented it would be actually a waste for you to be too narrow in focus. Now I just have to see what you are doing next.
Great to have you back. I was amazed to hear that they can pump 500 gallons of water a minute into those planes. Their work is so invaluable here in California where we dread each fire season. Looking forward to all these upcoming adventures.
Actually looks like standard hydrant pressure! Most American hydrants will be between 500-1000 GPM, with 500 averaging to the most common pressure. If the hose is super long, they may pump still. But looks like it’s just pressure flow!
Mike, thanks for doing this video. I live near Palm Springs, and I've seen the Coulson trucks on the road and planes in the sky. Cool learning a little bit about how they do there job.
So lucky to be able to fly with Coulson Avaition. Been photographing them and making edits for them for a good while now. Been in contact with their squad to try and rearrange a flight with them
That's awesome, my guy. A while back, I left a not so nice post on one of your vids. You very kindly put me in my place, and I've been an avid follower ever sense. Thanks for being a stand-up guy and for all the great content!
Coulson has one of their CH-47 chinook firecopter station at the chino airport by my house and I hear it all the time during summer. The sound of the dual rotors chopping through the air is cool.
3:37 CAL FIRE uses the OV-10 Bronco near me. Love the sound it makes, and I know when to check for active fires nearby. Sadly in Southern California it’s used very often 🛩
Thanks for doing this video! These planes are so helpful in fighting our wildfires. we live in san diego part time and in the redwoods of santa cruz the other part of the year. We have had wildfires burn within a block or so in both locations. Very grateful for these planes
This is so darn cool! I never expected you to make a video about water bombers. I used to watch them scoop up water from lakes when I lived in Newfoundland. I am loving every minute of this!!!
Palm Springs isn't the environment for a Canadair CL-415 Super Scooper / DHC-515 but you need to rep some Canadian water bombers too. Seeing them work a fire is something else.
@@DownieLive I know. :) But can a 737 touch a lake more than once, scoop water and go back for more? Go on board one of those for a ride. I have seen them work up close in Newfoundland. Very impressive.
Thanks Mike! I have been curious what the tanks inside waterbombers looked like. I was like you, thinking they would cylindrical. Do you know what percentage of the water actually vaporizes due to the heat from the fire before it even reaches the ground?
I used to be a forest fire fighter in Northern BC and we were always happy to see the CL415s or the Electra chemical bomber show up. I was lucky enough to ride in a CL415 as it did a few drops and let me tell you it was a rush. I imagine being in the C130 would be a rush as it dropped its load. As a side note Coulson is the largest private fire fighting aircraft contractor in the world based out of Port Alberni, BC. Until a few years ago they also flew the worlds largest water bombers in the Martin Mars and it was a sight to behold but they were retired due to age and required large bodies of water to reload from which limited their use.
Nice! Thank you for the video and the smiles! You do the coolest things! I have always wondered if they can feel the heat from the fire(s) in the water drop planes.
That’s cool! They should put a remote camera and video screen to view the terrain in the 737. They had that in a B29 I rode in since there were so few windows in the back. You should do a segment on one of those groups that tours the country giving rides. They take everything with them in the 1 plane including spare cylinders and tools to do full repairs on site. It’s mind blowing to understand what our guys worked with in WW2!
I live in the mountains up above Palm Springs. Got a great view of them heading to and from what I assume was a training location a couple months ago. A Herc flying a few hundred feet over your house a couple times a day for a week is pretty enjoyable. (when it's not for an actual fire)
I like how that guy caught himself when he said "no we're not out there for fun".. bro you're doing a good thing it's okay to have a little fun while doing it.
This may be an odd comment but I was watching your video about the Autumn Color Expressway and noticed a badly swollen lymph node. You seemed to have resolved the issue and are doing better, glad to see it.
