Forest Service retiring the Fire Cobras

[Malo83]

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=72889

 

[tyman]

Huh, that's neat af

 

[y_p_w]

I've seen the shells of a few of them at Buchanan Field in Concord, California. They were right there where one could see them from the street and from the parking lot. They seemed stripped though with no rotors.

 

[tom slick]

I wonder what they are replacing them with?

A friend of mine's dad retired from the USFS flying on the Firewatch Cobra out of the PTV air attack base.

 

[wpod]

When I lived in Palo Cedro Calif. the house across the pond caught on fire and instantly several fire crews arrived in fire trucks and there was a Cobra watching the fire from above. If it can be done the Cal fire guys will do it.

 

[Malo83]

https://fireaviation.com/

 

[Randol]

I always thought those were cool, sad to see them go

 

[dnewton3]

I guess I don't understand the usefulness of an attack aircraft for the Forrest Service as a fire-fighting related tool????
Can someone enlighten me?

 

[tom slick]

I guess I don't understand the usefulness of an attack aircraft for the Forrest Service as a fire-fighting related tool????
Can someone enlighten me?

It has a suite of electronics for analyzing the fire. They are used to surveying what has gone on during the day of fighting.

 

[dnewton3]

Thanks; that makes sense.

 

[wpod]

I guess I don't understand the usefulness of an attack aircraft for the Forrest Service as a fire-fighting related tool????
Can someone enlighten me?

The price was right.