They cost just $30M each

[socal0487]

A super scooper can dump 20k gallons of water and hour depending on the available water source. The c130 can do 4k an hour if the airport is close. Post 42. We don't need 40 c130's, 20 is good and 20 super scoopers best of both worlds

20k an hour? Seems like a stretch. That equates to 1 load every 4 minutes and 45 seconds. Super scoopers can’t get into areas rotor craft can.

 

[4Waters]

Super scoopers have many limitations. I would take a fleet of fixed wing (DC10, DC8, C130) for retardant drops on control lines ahead of fire and a fleet of Sikorsky Firehawks that can be used on active parts of fire. Get rid of the super scoopers.

Super scoopers are faster round trip than the helicopters even when picking up from the same water source, I have seen it with my own eyes, helicopters have a vital role that fixed wing can't fill and vice versa.


Thats how far away the fire was, maybe 4 miles and the super scoopers were 2:1 vs the helicopters drafting out of the same lake

 

[4Waters]

20k an hour? Seems like a stretch. That equates to 1 load every 4 minutes and 45 seconds. Super scoopers can’t get into areas rotor craft can.

Seen it, depends on where the water source is

 

[HALLETT BOY]