Inside the World's Largest Airtanker 747-400 SuperTanker! 

I am fortunate enough to know the guy who dreamed up and designed the Supertanker. He's a great guy who loves that plane as much as life. I'm always in awe when I see that plane doing its thing.

This one leaves me speechless. Juan, you set such a high bar, and you completely exceeded that, now.

What an outstanding tanker - not only are the lines of this plane a work of art, but the capacity of retardant is unbelievable. This was a treat to watch. Thanks!

She sure is a beautiful airplane. When the fire fighters on the ground, look up and see her, they must feel like the Cavalry just arrived. Thank you!

Nice to see the BAe146 tanker make a brief appearance in the video. Spent many years as part of the flight test team for the BAe146 and AvroRJ Series.

Interesting to learn about the tanker version. I flew the Classic more than I did the 400 but the 400 was an easy transition since I'd flown the 757/767. I miss the flying part of the job for sure, sucks getting old. Great video.

love love LOVE the opening shot! It's like "here SHE comes." Farout!!!

Juan, This was one of your top five videos. I really enjoyed it. You can tell this crew is very proud of what they do; as they should be. They are so important to the horrendous job of fighting these terrible fires. Thanks, Juan!

That opening scene..WoW... "Man!" ... That majestic aeroplane and the 'Blanco' theme music. Sweet, just sweet.

Wow, Juan! Marcos explains things so well that he could be you!!!!

Man! The 747 is such a stunning aircraft to watch land! Or take off! Thanks Juan!

This was absolutely amazing! You outdid reporters and their documentaries in just one simple video! Love it! keep posting more like these!

Here in the softy Southern UK this is all a bit mind blowing. We're very fortunate, we do have heathland fires, but nothing like that. We don't get hurricanes or earthquakes either. You can see why our island has been populated for most of 500,000yrs. Thanks Juan, excellent edition.

AWESOME VIDEO!!! Answered a lot of my questions. I have been fascinated by aerial firefighting since the Coyote Fire by my home town of Santa Barbara, CA in 1964. Back then a lot of TBM/TBF single engine fire bombers, my all time favorite twin engine Hellcats (F9F I believe) and several B-17s and a few DC4 or DC6's. My dad took us out to watch the refuel and replenish operation at the airport.

My grandpa was a pilot for JAL he may have flown that plane. Amazing video good job.

It's not just the music, it's the music and the way the plane turns and faces you.

944 is a beast! What a fine piece of American aviation engineering. Great video as always. Juan, your videos and reports are very enlightening and engaging.

That raises the bar to the the next level of the expression, “taking a dump.”

I swear that without this plane California wildfires would never be put out. Seen this plane many times and always grateful for it.

I think the Boeing 747-200B was the most beautiful airliner ever built...So sleek, with the "symmetrical" 10 window per side upper deck, and those sexy HF antennas on the wing tips.

I normally watch videos on a small phone screen, but this Jumbo one justified a large computer monitor!

that looks like a fun job to have, flying a 747 super low to fight fires dropping loads

This one video is totally worth what I give through Patreon! Keep it up!

Juan, I loved the new performance of your music. This is the first time I noticed it, and it was magnificient.

Juan-beautiful, informative and a great reminder of just what those aviators and ground crews have to know and the level of commitment they must make for this happen. The level of trust required to do this work is mind boggling to the average person.. Again, we are fortunate that you have the kind of access you do which gives us the inside look.

THE best videos on topics that are so in need of being covered Thank YOU Mister Juan Brown ! !

I don’t live in the States but I’m wishing everyone impacted by the fires in the western states a speedy recovery. And thank you to the ground fighters and aircraft bombers who risk their lives to save others very brave and inspiring!

The 747 is the most graceful and beautiful aircraft ever produced. (my opinion). Juan, what a fantastic video production. Whenever I see a 747, it takes me back to May of 1991. My wife and I flew to Frankfort and spent 2 weeks in Germany, France and Luxembourg. The trip was to visit our son coming home from the gulf war. What a memory flying on that 747 leaving MIA. Just before takeoff, I observed a thunderstorm quickly forming, so I thought we would wait it out on the ground. Boy was I wrong, we rolled down the runway up we went. As we were climbing at full power we were head on into that storm and hit a micro burst unscathed except for my right thigh. My wife cliched down on that muscle so hard that a bruise formed almost immediately. Anyhow, bless you Juan and your photographer for outstanding shots and thank you for the awesome interview. Stay Safe, Bee Well. Shalom

Just loved the knowledge of the pilot and his ability to articulate it to us. Great video.

One of the best aviation videos I’ve watched on RU-vid. It has it all! Pilot interview, tech details, comprehensive system overview, action footage. Fantastic watch!!

Excellent editing of what must have been a ton of video. Thanks for such fine work!

Marcos is a cool dude too. Way better tour than Air Force 1. Thanks!

Wow! Great video Juan, answered many questions I have had about 944. Living close to Sacramento having seen 944 in and out of Mc Cellan have always wondered why there is not more super tankers in the fleet.

That was..... AWESOME! Thank you for taking us along. That was special. Thanks also the the crews that operate and support these planes.... Heroes, every single one in the air and on the ground!

I used to love refueling the 747, such an awesome aircraft

Juan your video skills have just jumped another few levels, that opening sequence with the ethereal version of weightless with the tanker floating into shot was a master piece.

Suggestion idea: create a "logo" for each side of the tanker of a cartoon character of a kid firing off a super soaker & a stream of splashing water. Have the words "super soaker" beneath the picture! This would obviously require prior permission from the Super Soaker manufacturer, or whoever holds the patent/legal rights to the name but it seems to me that a free advertising opportunity like this would be a no-brainer plus the positive P.R. for the makers of Nerf Super Soakers (& similar super "squirt gun" makers) of showing support for fire fighters should be seen as win-win! It would be like the nose art found on WW2 era military bombers! 👍

I remember as a small boy age maybe 8-10 pulling over on the I-5 freeway to see the first Boeing 747 takeoff and land-cars lined the side of the highway. I never thought I would see that again until this video. We become so jaded to our surroundings-it`s good to see people appreciate this aircraft again. Thank you to the late Bill Boeing and Thank you Juan Browne!

Beautiful livery - paint job. Thanks Juan always interesting.

Supercool guys! Juan asking all the coolest real pilot questions! Awesome!

I noticed the new take on Aram's "Weightless" tune at the start there!

Juan, my dad helped build the very first 747, and he also helped build this one before his retirement, great video it brought tears to my eyes, dad passed two years ago.

How amazing would it have been if the Hotshots firefighters had this on standby when they were fighting that Arizona fire back in 13. Might’ve saved all of their lives.

Not used to seeing such a big plane take such a short final. Awesome!

Those workers learning to fill this plane. I didn’t see one checklist!! LoL Very impressive machine and crew.

From the slip to get lined up, to the flare, to wheels touching down, that looked to me to be as near a perfect landing of that magnificent aircraft as anyone could want. That is the way to make it look easy.

The opening to this video was Majestic! You get better all the time Juan, we're going to have to start calling you mister Hollywood. The paint job on that plane is the best I've ever seen! One of your best videos ever!

Nice contribution to air tanker videos. Thumbs up!

2 thumbs up for your efforts to provide high quality content!

This plane and few other DC-10’s were essential in fighting the recent CA fires. One of which not too far from me. Thank you to all the crews in saving lives!

Still PTSD, WHEN THEY flew RIGHT OVER OUR HOUSE, one of the most welcome, wonderful, amazing sights! Thanks @Walbridge fire

Amazing, a big salute to those who preform a valuable service to our nation and communities in the lives and property they save.

Very very well done! Your content just keeps getting better and better. Wow 👏👏👏👏👏

Juan is having way too much fun!

Juan this video was fantastic! Im enjoying the ever-increasing quality of your content :)

I am not a pilot, but I have learned so much from blancolirio. I appreciate the enthusiasm for aviation without the hype or drama. Great channel!

Such a beautiful bird!

Super video, guys! Thanks to CalFire for providing you with so much time on board.

The opening of your vid was Awesome. 💙🥂

This was another incredible opportunity to see an engineering marvel an meet an operator of said system. Thank you!

This is so cool. Thanks!. Love the 747.

Love the way you opened the video, and slowed the music. You got something there. Great video!

Juan I could watch this all day. Next time get us on the flight deck for a drop!!!!!Great Job!!!!

I like this version of the opening music

What an awesome system for fighting our destructive fires. Pilot Marcos Valdez knows his stuff!!!!

Can't push the Like button enough times! You're our Number Juan aviation reporter.

Thanks for that. From the opening sequence of that big old bird doing a beautifully executed curved visual approach to then see all the amazing kit a caboodle which goes to make up an effective fire fighting tool, manned by a very professional team. Loved it.

I have been waiting for this video and was not disappointed! I am hoping for other tours of air tankers and the the support teams. Thank you Juan

The opening shot has big fella is running the pattern like he was a 182. Awesome!!

Aircraft name "Spirit of John Muir" who is considered the Founder of our National Parks. Aptly Named

The world quickly moves on, and equipment of all kinds goes out of fashion just as quickly, except when it’s just the best tool for the job. A lot of really old aircraft do freight and firefighting (and passengers) under the worst of conditions all over the world. This is something that many people have no idea about. Thanks for helping to educate and inform.👍🏼👍🏼

I loved this informative report!

California's super heroes! When the tanker shows up, we can all calm down and watch in awe.

Great interview Juan!

I could geek out in that thing for weeks.

The opening shot is amazing. Reminds me of the first time I saw one fly, really surprised me as huge as it was it seemed to belong in the air the same as the old DC 3 or as you call them Dacota

Really cool video. Capt. Valdez, thank you for your service.

That landing, I now dub thee pilots new name, Capt. Smooth.

Got tears in my eyes. Missing my plane a lot. Cheers from France America and thanks for your beautiful airplanes.

The original 747 supertanker was pioneered by Evergreen Aviation at their facility in Marana Arizona.

No need for Discovery Chanell when you have Jaun Brown producing videos of this qaulity with tons of useful content. Thank you Jaun B

Awesome video with gritty details. Years back was operating C-130 with IAR out of Pinal Air Park (Marana, AZ) and we all heard a really loud BANG. Found out through an Evergreen Aviation maintenance friend that the super tanker (747-100 or -200 series) had blown the manhole cover off the end of its air tank and through the fuselage skin (believe it was left side). Saw the damage and it was ugly. Definitely a setback for Evergreen who was trying hard to convince the NFS and everyone else it was a safe and reliable system

with the retirement of so many 747s.. are they going to attempt to build more 747 fire fighting aircraft..

Thank you Captain Marcos Valdez! You have a sweet job.

That was really interesting, Juan! :O

This is possible my favorite video of yours. I worked on -400 for some years and I started going through maintenance checklists while watching. Lol.

I was showing this to my landlord as we were out by our backyard pool getting it opened and cleaned for the season...when he heard the volume of water he commented that that was about what our pool is...~20,000gal... I actually was surprised...visually I kind of expected a plane that size to hold more than our backyard pool... Great video. Very fun and informative...!!

Juan, did they let you see up inside either of the cargo pits? Also curious if they move anything in the bulk pit. I remember my first time around the whale. Mind you it was a 100, but you acted the same way... It's got to be like a C5A experience. The one thing all my ramp trainee's say, "how does this thing ever get off the ground". Yes,,,, it's huge! PS, I know you had to go to the back, and just look up.. everyone does. Long way up there!!!!

this was one of the miat informative vids ive ever seen on yt. thank you for giving us this behind the scenes view and interviews.

Sad that this wonderful resource has been taken out of service. I live not far from McClellan and get to see the tankers take off and land. Sometimes while working at the base (for the AeroSpace Museum) I get an even closer view. jim

Amazing! Thank you Juan for this tour of 747 Super Tanker.

Juan, please tell us about John Muir, in a future installment. Good 'ol 'Instrument, Brown, Flat; Boeing: BAC 8328-F'. She'll forever be the "Queen of the Skies", in my book.

Omg, I'm so grateful I found you a few years ago on RU-vid. This video has answered so many of my questions. Thank you ,Thank you🥰

The tail of the aircraft doing the video in the tanker drop...kind of looked like a "Bronco"?

Magnificent airplane..Boeing's 747,777,787 and 737 are all superb aircraft.

I wonder if they could do a flyover and fill up my pond. Gotta love it when experienced intelligent individuals explain complex systems.

That landing friggin choked me up. Perfect. Then he holds the nosewheel off like that. Had go get a goddamned Kleenex!

Awesome. Did I miss why the front two tanks start at 52%-53% capacity?

Thank You Juan for this very interesting informative videos, thanks to everyone involved in keeping us safe, take care and have a wonderful day, greetings from Australia.

Well done, Juan! You host was very open about everything. My brother and sister in laws were smoke jumpers who talk about wish this machine was available in their day.