These photos were shot in the summer of 2000, but illustrate vividly the types of planes used in fire bombing, and the protection of our natural treasures as well as property that have been in the news this whole summer.  Here in Colorado the fires came within 15 miles of the headquarters of US-Aircraft.com, and I saw many of these same aircraft flying overhead daily.  The PB4Y-2 Liberators, PV-2 Neptune and DC-6 fire bombers are out of Gray Bull Wyoming, and contracted for each year by the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service.  The C-130 is a Colorado National Guard ship out of Pueblo, Colorado.  

These very same aircraft were key in the fighting, and stopping of the Hayman fire south of Denver that was so often in the news last month (June 2002).  As a matter of routine, as they passed one another, they would dip a wing in salutation.  It was incredibly touching to see, and an honor to once again hear the sound of 4 Fans turning.  the first shots are of a simulated water drop by the Colorado National Guard at the Pueblo airport.  The rest of the shots were taken at Jefferson County Airport just North of Denver.  they were at the time busy fighting the Bailey, Colorado fires that at that time were the largest in Colorado history until the Hayman fire of 2002 which burned an area the size of the entire metro area of Denver Colorado.  In humble Tribute, I present to you some of the unsung heroes of our aviation heritage.  Men and women who fly in the canyons in 50 and 60 year old aircraft using brute strength to control the planes in the unpredictable air over a blaze.  No fly by wire here! 

THIS is raw courage.

Post script:  July 20, 2002  sadly, on July 18th during a slurry run on a fire located near Fort Collins Colorado, PB4Y-2  Privateer Fusalage No. 123, Bu No. unavailable (1944 date however), suffered a massive main wing spar failure killing Pilot Rick Schwartz, and Milt Stollak.  May their air always be calm, and the skies aways blue.  God bless them for their undaunted service to our country, the United States of America.

FIRE BIRDS - ANGELS IN RED  

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