747 Supertanker is ceasing operations

[W5]

https://fireaviation.com/2021/04/23/the ... BBjhHciUcI

[The Dread Pilot Roberts]

I wonder if someone like Coulson would pick that up. Might just be too big to make money with.

[Slick Goodlin]

Might just be too big to make money with.

I wonder if there are firefighting 777s on their way which I assume would have to be more cash efficient to operate what with only needing the care and feeding of two engines versus four.

[Big Pistons Forever]

Nobody has ever been able to make a pressurized retardant tank work. The drop pattern on this airplane was always poor and could not deliver the higher coverage levels needed for heavier fuels.

The US Forest Service kept on letting it work even when it didn’t make the mandatory performance specs, but I guess they finally drew the line,

The minimum 500 ft AGL drop height also did not help.

Bigger is not always better.....