GEOFF GOODALL'S AVIATION HISTORY SITE

Last updated 26 February 2023

US FIRE BOMBER OPERATORS : Part 8: T to Z

A historical survey of US heavy air tanker companies to the year 2000, compiled by Geoff Goodall

A line of T&G Aviation Douglas DC-7 tankers in November 1981, returning to home base Chandler Memorial airfield, Phoenix Arizona
at the end of fire attack season deployments as far away as Alaska. Photo by Geoff Goodall

T & G Aviation, Chandler Memorial airfield, Phoenix Arizona
T & G Aviation Inc, Chandler Memorial (Gila River) airfield, 22000 South Price Road Chandler AZ

T & G Aviation Inc was incorporated in 1975 as a partnership between experienced tanker pilots Sergio A.Tomassoni and William "Woody" Grantham. Both had previously flown for other operators and had their own businesses including Air Tankers Inc, Buckeye AZ and SS&T Aerial Contractors Inc,
Phoenix AZ.
- An associate company was Douglas County Aviation Inc, with the same Chandler address as T&G Aviation. Douglas County Aviation was headed by William Grantham, the business name referring to the Nevada county in which its former base Minden NV was located.
- T & G Aviation standardised on Douglas DC-7s to carry out fire bombing, wide-area spraying for pests and ocean oil-slick dispersant also freight transport, mainly for the US Forest Service but also fish hauling in Alaska.
- For several years from 1983, T & G Aviation's annual USFS fire bombing contracts were made in the name of Douglas County Aviation, before reverting to T & G Aviation as the named operator.
- During 1986 four DC-7s were fitted for insect spraying and flown across the South Atlantic to Dakar for an extensive contract to spray locust plagues in Senegal and other African countries. All four were based at Dakar by September 1986. One was ditched into the sea after takeoff from Dakar, Captain Sergio Tomassoni and crew rescued. In 1988 more African locust plagues resulted in T&G Aviation being awarded another contract for DC-7 low-level insecticide spraying. This had a tragic end on 8 December 1988 when two DC-7s repositioning between African countries were flying in formation at FL120 over Mauritania when struck by a heat-seeking missile fired by rebels who assumed they were air force aircraft - one crashed and he other was badly damaged but its crew made an emergency landing at Morocco. There it was repaired over the next 18 months before making the long ocean crossing back home to Arizona, the crew daubing the name African Queen on the nose.
-By 1990 partners in T & G Avation Inc were Sergio Tomassoni, William Grantham and Pat LeRoux. Grantham was also President of associated company International Air Response Inc, then also based at Chandler Memorial airfield. Pat LeRoux took over T&G Inc during 1990 and Tomassoni retired the following year.

From 1989 T & G Aviation acquired six C-130A Hercules through a USFS sponsored scheme in whichretired fire bombers were traded to the USAF and US Navy museums in exchange for retired C-130As and P-3A Orions, which were supplied to the tanker companies to introduce more modern turbine aircraft. T & G Aviation's C-130As all appear to have been actually operated by associate company Air Response Inc. Two were flown to the Arabian Gulf on contract to US military forces on transport and oil slick dispersant duties. Complaints from other tanker companies that this contravened the USFS agrement that the USFS-supplied turbine types could only be used for fire attack purposes resulted in the subsequent long-running Government investigation known as USFS Air Tanker Scandal. The investigation quoted the civilian USFS-supplied C-130As used in Saudi Arabia on lucrative military support contracts as operated by T &G Aviation.

In June 1993 T & G Aviation's President William Grantham announced the company had filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Court documents showed the business had assets of $1.78M against estimated liabilities of $2.36M. Operations in the name of T&G Aviation ceased, but much of the company infrastructure was used by International Air Response and remaining unservicable aircraft were effectively abandoned there. When the airfield was closed two years later, these retired airliners became easy prey for vandals and so-called street-artists with spray cans practising their dubious skills.

Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer	N3739G	Bu59819	.65-1.91	C30	SS&T Contractors, purchased .65 ex Flight Enterprises Prescott AZ already modified as a Super Privateer with Wright R-2600 Cyclones; tfd c69 to Air Tankers Inc, Buckeye AZ tfd c75 to T & G Aviation, Buckeye later Chandler AZ sold 1.91 to Lone Star Flight Museum,Galveston TX, del. 17.1.91, restored at LSFM as "US Navy 59819", now at Pima
Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar	N15509	RCAF22110	.76-4.84	C36 36	T&G Aviation purchased .76 ex Hawkins & Powers Aviation, Greybull who carried out the tanker conversion in 1976; crashed 21.4.84 struck snowbank on takeoff Venette AK
Lockheed L049 Constellation	N90816	2078	12.72-5.78	-	Sergio Tomassoni purchased 21.12.72, Delivered to Buckeye AZ where it was planned to be tanked as a fire tanker. Project abandoned when USFS could not guarantee contracts and FAA required a 3 man crew, stored Buckeye 73-77, sold 21.5.78 to Asher Ward, Van Nuys CA (dealer)
Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon	N6856C	Bu37190	1981-1983	38	Leased 1981-83 fire seasons via RALCO operated by T&G Aviation at Chandler as fire tanker #38
Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon	N7080C	Bu37499	1981-1983	39	Leased 1981-83 fire seasons via RALCO operated by T&G Aviation at Chandler as fire tanker #39
Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon	N7086C	Bu37444	1981-1983	112	Leased 1981-83 fire seasons via RALCO operated by T&G Aviation at Chandler as fire tanker #112
Douglas DC-7C	N9734Z	45215	1.76-7.95	32	Sergio Tomassoni purchased 1.76 ex Starduster Air Travel Club, converted to air tanker at Buckeye AZ 76, tfd 2.77 to T&G Aviation as tanker #32 based Honololu 79-80 on pax charter contract to Christmas Island, returned to tanker duties 1980 with T&G Aviation; Fire bomber gear removed, fitted as insecticide sprayer 1986, based Dakar, Senegal on locust spraying 1986, returned to Chandler by 11.86 resumed fire tanker duties #32; sold 7.95 to Baquero Servicios Aereos-BASAER, Clordoba Spain, departed Chandler 29.6.96 on delivery to Spain by T&G crew, to EC-GGC fire bomber ops 1996-2003 then retired Cordoba, moved by road to Miraflores Park, Cordobia 5.11 as display.
Douglas DC-7C	N5903	45071	6.76-10.86	35	T&G Aviation purchased 6.76 ex Traventure Air Travel, converted to air tanker at Buckeye AZ 76, Fire bomber gear removed, fitted as insecticide sprayer 1986, flown to Africa for locust spraying contract at Dakar Senegal, crashed into sea 9.10.86 on takeoff Dakar, 3 crew killed, but pilot Sergio Tomassoni survived.
Douglas DC-7B	N1097	45342	.77--4.83	32	T&G Aviation tfd 1977 ex Air Tankers Inc, Maricopa AZ #3 (USCR ownership change date 29.4.80) operated as tanker #32 while N9734Z on passenger charters 79-80, leased 4.81 to Pacific Nartional Seafoods, Seattle WA as freighter, sold 4.83 Arbor Air, Laredo TX
Douglas DC-7B	N4887C	45351	.77-6.03	33	T&G Aviation tfd 1977 ex Air Tankers Inc, Maricopa AZ #33 (USCR ownership change date 29.4.80) Fire bomber gear removed, fitted as insecticide sprayer 1986, flown to Africa .86 for locust spraying contract at Dakar Senegal, returned to Chandler late 1986 refitted as fire tanker #33; tfd .6.03 to International Air Response
Douglas DC-7B	N51701	44701	.77-1993	31	T&G Aviation tfd 1977 ex Air Tankers Inc, Maricopa AZ #31 (USCR ownership change date 29.4.80) port wingtip struck tree during fire attack Bear Mountain WA 15.7.79 del. to Pima Air & Space Museum AZ .93: displayed as tanker #31
Douglas DC-7C	N90802	45112	5.79-7.95	115	T&G Aviation purchased 5.79 ex La Grande Air Service tanker #115, Fire bomber gear removed, fitted as insecticide sprayer 1986, flown to Africa for locust spraying contract, at Dakar Senegal 9.86, returned to Chandler late 1986 refitted as fire tanker #115; Sold 7.95 to Baquero Servicios Aereos SL-Basaer, Cordoba Spain, departed Chandler AZ 4.7.95 as EC-888 on delivery flight to Spain, two week delay enroute at Azors. Registered EC-GGB 10.96. Operated as fire tanker in Spain, retired Cordoba, broken-up 1.10.
Douglas DC-7C	N3775U	45158	7.80-10.91	-	T&G Aviation purchased 2.7.80 ex Talingo Airlines freighter HP-868, operated by T&G as a freighter, including fish hauling in Alaska, fitted as insecticide sprayer 1986, flown to Africa .86 for locust spraying contract at Dakar Senegal, returned to Chandler late 1986; flown to Africa .88, retired at Agadir, Morroco 1.12.88, ferried back to Chandler AZ 7.90 ex Morroco. Sold 7.91 to Beamy Air Supply Corp, Miami FL for lease to Antillas Air Cargo, Dominican Republic. Prepared by T&G as a freighter, N3775U noted at Chandler 2.7.91 orange/white scheme "Antillas Air Cargo" titles, delivered to Miami 7.91, rereg HI-619CT
Douglas DC-7CF	N284	45203	8.80-12.88	-	T&G Aviation purchased 14.8.80 ex Plymouth Leasing MI, parked unused for previous 6 years at Wakeman OH. T&G crew made it airworthy for delivery to Chandler AZ. operated by T&G as a freighter, including fish hauling in Alaska, ran off runway King Salmon AK 2.7.83 when takeoff aborted; noted at Honolulu 1.86 on a local contract, all metallic; fitted as insecticide sprayer 1987, flown to Africa .88 for locust spraying contract at Agidir, Morroco. Shot down 8.12.88 by heat-seeking missile fired by rebels over Bir Moghreim, Mauritania while enroute Dakar-Agidir at 12,000 feet, all 7 on board killed. DC-7C N90804 was formating and was seriously damaged by explosion debris
Douglas DC-7B	N4885C	45314	10.80-3.06	-	T&G Aviation purchased 10.80 ex Ron Clark, Burbank CA stored at Burbank as spare airframe ex Midair Canada insecticide sprayer; T&G crew made it airworthy for delivery Burbank-Chandler AZ .80; open storage Chandler 1980-2006 engines and parts removed, broken-up for scrap at Chandler 3.06
Douglas DC-7C	N5902	45070	2.81-2.06	-	T&G Aviation purchased 26.2.81 ex Denver Public Schools Aircraft Training Centre, Denver-Stapleton Airport as instructional airframe; T&G crew made it airworthy for delivery Denver-Chandler AZ .81; open storage Chandler 1981-2006 engines and parts removed, broken-up for scrap at Chandler 2.06
Douglas DC-7B	N4889C	45353	7.81-1998	-	Douglas County Aviation purchased 8.81 ex Aerial Applicators Inc, Salt Lake City UT held as spare, engines and parts removed; T&G crew made it airworthy for delivery SLC-Chandler AZ .81; Leased .82 to private owner but impounded during drug runs to South America, taken back by T&G Aviation. open storage Chandler 1983-1998 engines and parts removed. Sold .98 to Cpt Jeff Whitesell's Airliners of America Inc (planned ferry to Camarillo CA for restoration to fly in Delta Airlines scheme) but not collected; resold to American Museum of Aviation, again not collected; parked at Chandler even after airfield closed, derelict and vandalised until destroyed by fire May 2000.
Douglas DC-7C	N90804	45116	7.81-2.06	28	Douglas County Aviation purchased 8.81 ex Aerial Applicators Inc, Salt Lake City UT as tanker #28; delivered to Chandler AZ, operated by T&G Aviation as fire tanker #28, fitted as insecticide sprayer 1987, flown to Africa .88 for locust spraying contract at Agidir, Morroco. Emergency landing 8.12.88 Sidi Ifni, Morocco. N90804 was flying in formation with DC-7C N284 which was struck by a rebels missile over Mauritania: debris from the explosion damaged N90804 which had an engine fall away. Lengthy repair job at Sidi Ifni, then parked at Agadir, Morocco, ferried back to Chandler AZ 8.90, arrived 10.8.90 with name African Queen hand-painted on nose; Ownership tfd 6.94 to T & G Aviation Inc parked at Chandler, became derelict, broken-up for scrap 2.06
Douglas DC-7C	N6000V	45542	8.83-3.06	-	T&G Aviation purchased 19.8.83 ex Jespah Inc, Barstow CA fitted as a sprayer: retired as Barstow 80-82 all metallic, spraybars; noted at Chandler AZ 5.82 & 6.83 assumed for maintenance; with T&G parked at Chandler from 1983 as parts source, broken-up for scrap at Chandler 3.06
Douglas DC-7C	N90251	45367	2.86-1.95	-	T&G Aviation purchased 2.86 St Louis Airport MO at auction due unpaid parking fees 1981-1986, T&G crew made it airworthy for delivery St.Louis-Chandler AZ 6.86; fitted as insecticide sprayer 1987 with 5,800 gallon tank inside fuselage and wing spraybars, flown to Africa .88 for locust spraying contract, retired at Agidir, Morroco 12.88 with two other DC-7s, departed 22.6.90 on ferry back to Chandler AZ, arrived 24.6.90. Sold 1.95 to Brooks Fuel, Fairbanks AK, delivered ex Chandler 1.95
Douglas DC-7CF	N289 N289TG	45208	10.89-5.91	-	T&G Aviation purchased .89 at Alexandria Airport MN where it had been a static display in full passenger airliner configuration since flown in 1.9.67 ex Northwest Orient Airlines, T&G crew made it airworthy for del. Alexandra-Chandler AZ 21.10.89 reregistered N289 T&G Aviation 10.89, rereg. N289TG 3.90, sold 5.91 to Aerochago, Dominican Republic, del. to Miami 18.5.91 as a freighter already painted in Aerochago scheme, rereg HI-599CT
Beech TC-45J	N4606	Bu89468	4.90	-	Acquired by T&G Aviation from San Diego Community College as an instructional airframe in original US Navy markings, Registered N4606 4.90 to T&G Aviation. ownership immediately tfd to Planes of Fame Air Museum, Chino CA. Parked at Planes of Fame by 9.90 appeared operational
Lockheed C-130A	N116TG	56-0478	10.89		Registered 2.10.89 to T&G Aviation ex USAF surplus op: International Air Response, Chandler AZ as tanker #30
Lockheed C-130A	N117TG	54-1631	10.89		Registered 2.10.89 to T&G Aviation ex USAF surplus tfd 13.10.89 to International Air Response, Chandler AZ
Lockheed C-130A	N118TG	57-0512	1.90		Registered 22.1.90 to T&G Aviation ex USAF surplus tfd 22.1.90 to International Air Response, Chandler AZ
Lockheed C-130A	N3226B	57--517	9.90-10.90		Purchased 24.9.90 T&G Aviation ex Humberto Montano,Douglas AZ sold 10.90 to Trans Latin Air, Panama as HP-1162-TLN
Lockheed C-130A	N119TG	56-0537	1.91-2.93		Purchased 22.1.91 T&G Aviation ex US Forest Service sold 1.2.93 to Pacific Harbour Capital Inc, Portland OR to XA-RSG Aeropostal de Mexico .94 as XA-RSG
Lockheed C-130A	N120TG	56-0487	1.91-2.93		Registered 22.1.91 to T&G Aviation ex US Forest Service Arabian Gulf oil slick dispersal ops 1991 sold 1.2.93 to Pacific Harbour Capital Inc, Portland OR to Aeropostal de Mexico .94 as N120TG
Douglas DC-6	N80MA	43127	2.91-2.93	(20)	Purchased 2.91 ex Macavia tanker #20, not operated, ferried Santa Rosa CA to Chander AZ .91, parked Chandler. Sold 2.93 to Pacific Harbor Capital Inc, Portland OR Sold 4.94 to Barron Thomas Aviation (sales agents) Sold to Zaire 7.94 as a freighter, departed Chandler AZ 7.94 on delivery as 9Q-CPL, arrived Kinshasa 29.7.94
Douglas DC-6	N90MA	43128	2.91-2.93	(21)	Purchased 2.91 ex Macavia tanker #21, not operated, ferried Santa Rosa CA to Chander AZ .91, parked Chandler. Sold 2.93 to Pacific Harbor Capital Inc, Portland OR Sold 4.94 to Barron Thomas Aviation (sales agents) Sold to Zaire 7.94, reg 9Q-CSH allocated but not delivered, stripped at Chandler 7.94 for engines and parts to support 9Q-CPL.
Douglas DC-6	N666SQ	43004	2.91-2.93	(47)	Purchased 2.91 ex Macavia tanker #47, not operated, ferried Santa Rosa CA to Chander AZ .91, parked Chandler. Sold 2.93 to Pacific Harbor Capital Inc, Portland OR
Douglas DC-6B	N555SQ	45137	2.91-2.93	(45)	Purchased 2.91 ex Macavia tanker #45, not operated, ferried Santa Rosa CA to Chander AZ .91, parked Chandler. Sold 2.93 to Pacific Harbor Capital Inc, Portland OR Sold 11.93 to Barron Thomas Aviation (sales agents) Sold 2.94 to Everts Air Fuel, Fairbanks AK
Douglas DC-6B	N999SQ	43274	2.91-2.93	(51)	Purchased 2.91 ex Macavia tanker #51, not operated, ferried Santa Rosa CA to Chander AZ .91, parked Chandler. Sold 2.93 to Pacific Harbor Capital Inc, Portland OR Sold 11.93 to Barron Thomas Aviation (sales agents) Sold 2.94 to Everts Air Fuel, Fairbanks AK
Douglas DC-6B	N444SQ	45320	2.91-2.93	(44)	Purchased 2.91 ex Macavia tanker #44, not operated, remained parked at Macavia base Santa Rosa CA Sold 2.93 to Pacific Harbor Capital Inc, Portland OR Sold 11.93 to Barron Thomas Aviation (sales agents) Sold 11.97 to Nighthawk Air Systems Miami FL broken-up for scrap at Santa Rosa 12.97
Douglas DC-6B	N888SQ	43562	2.91-2.93	(48)	Purchased 2.91 ex Macavia tanker #48, not operated, remained parked at Macavia base Santa Rosa CA Sold 2.93 to Pacific Harbor Capital Inc, Portland OR Sold 11.93 to Barron Thomas Aviation (sales agents) broken-up for scrap at Santa Rosa 12.97
Douglas DC-6B	N111AN	44087	2.91-2.93	(46)	Purchased 2.91 ex Macavia tanker #46, not operated, remained parked at Macavia base Santa Rosa CA Sold 2.93 to Pacific Harbor Capital Inc, Portland OR Sold 11.93 to Barron Thomas Aviation (sales agents) Sold 11.97 to Nighthawk Air Systems Miami FL broken-up for scrap at Santa Rosa 12.97

Sergio Tomassoni's first tanker Consolidated PB4Y-2 N3739G upgraded to "Super Privateer" from 1965 when he
and partner George Stell operated as SS&T Aerial Contractors Inc, Phoenix. Later transferred to T&G Inc,
it is pictured at Chandler AZ in November 1981 still in full service. Photo by Geoff Goodall

T&G Aviation Fairchild C-119G N15509 tanker #36 at Chandler AZ in October 1979. Photo by Geoff Goodall

PV-2 Harpoon N7086C tanker #112 was one of three PV-2s leased by T&G Aviation for the 1981-1983 fire seasons.
It is pictured at Chandler in November 1981 at the T&G hangar. Photo by Geoff Goodall

What might have been. Sergio Tomassoni purchased this Lockheed L.049 Constellation N90816 in 1972 planning
to tank it as a fire bomber. The project was abandoned and the Constellation on-sold.
It is seen here several owners later at Fort Lauderdale FL in October 1981. Photo by Geoff Goodall

T&G Aviation's first DC-7. N9734Z tanker #32 on duty at the Fresno CA attack base in September 1977, a year after it
was purchased from Starduster Air Travel Club, in whose colours it remains. Photo by Geoff Goodall

T&G Aviation's second DC-7 N5903 at the Lancaster-Fox Field CA attack base in September 1979 in the colour scheme
of its previous owner Traventure Air Travel. It was to later crash on takeoff at Dakar Senegal while locust spraying.
Photo by Barney Deatrick

T&G Aviation's DC-7C freighter N284 had delivered supplies to the USFS base at Klamath Falls OR in September 1981.
When taxying for departure all four Wright R-3350 Turbo Compound engines failed. The airport refueller had inadvertantly
topped up with turbine fuel. Here T&G engineering staff work in the open weather replacing all power plants with
spare units flown in from home base Chandler AZ. Photo by Geoff Goodall

The same DC-7C N284 as previous picture, in service at Chandler only a month later . Photo by Geoff Goodall

DC-7B N4887C tanker #33 undergoing end of season maintenance at home base Chandler AZ in November 1981.
It retains its former Delta Airlines paintwork. Photo by Geoff Goodall

DC-7B N4889C at Chandler November 1981 also in Delta Airlines paintwork and cabin windows still had curtains.
This aircraft was not tanked and was later stripped for engines and parts. Photo by Geoff Goodall

DC-7C N90802 tanker #115 being hosed down at Medford OR after the day's retardant drops during September 1981.
Photo by Geoff Goodall

T&G Aviation DC-7B N51701 at the USFS base at Billings MT in August 1989. Photo by Geoff Goodall

DC-7B N51701 landing at Billings MT August 1989 to reload retardant while working a nearby mountain fire.
Photo by Geoff Goodall

DC-7C N90804 back home at Chandler AZ in November 1991 after T&G's ill-fated second African locust spraying contract.
It had been damaged in Africa by debris when formating DC-7C N284 was shot down by a rebel missile. The T&G crew
who ferried her home hand-painted "African Queen" on the nose. Photo by Geoff Goodall

DC-7C N90251 at Chandler in November 1991 back from an African spraying contract. Photo by Geoff Goodall

T&G acquired this former US Navy Beech TC-45J N4606 as part of a trade deal. The tech. school instructional airframe
was made airworthy to ferry to Planes of Fame Air Museum at Chino CA, where it was photographed by Geoff Goodall

TBM Inc, Tulare California

TBM Inc, PO Box 868 Tulare CA. Operating base nearby Sequoia Field, Visalia CA.
TBM Inc moved operational base in 2009 to nearby former Castle AFB, Atwater CA, but continued maintenance at Sequoia Field.

Founded in June 1957 by Henry C. "Hank" Moore, proprietor of established agricultural spaying and dusting business Moore Aviation Inc, Tulare CA.
Moore decided to join the growing aerial fire bombing industry and named his new associate business TBM Inc from the Grumman TBM Avengers he chose as his initial fire bombing aircraft type. TBMs were then in plentiful supply from US Navy surplus sales.
Financial supporters and office holders at the formation of TBM Inc were listed as Doug Gandy, Harvey Miller, Bob Bunch, Milt Watts, Bob Phillips, Wayland Fink, Jim French and Elmer Johnson.
Moore Aviation continued agricultural work and the two companies shared the same maintenance organisation in the remaining hangar on former WWII USAAC Sequoia Field, Visalia.

Moore Aviation: known aircraft:
Boeing Stearman     N53179, N1730B, N68467, N56747, N57271
Piper L-4 Cub           N32987
Piper PA-23 Apache N1383P
Cessna T-50 Bobcat N57361
SNJ-6 Texan            N9800C
Callair A9                 N8234H, N1211
Callair B1                 N7293V
G164 Ag Cat            N6546, N10230, N10250, N8366, N861, N666
Sikorsky UH-34G      Bu140122 open storage Sequoia CA 1977 in faded US Navy markings
                               Bu137856 to N9043P spraybars, retired open storage Sequoia CA 78
                               Bu143957 to N9043N spraybars
                               Bu143892
                               Bu143869
                               Bu143885
SikorskyCH-34A       0-71705 open storage Sequoia 78
Sikorsky S-58E        N28884 (c/n 58856) registered 2.81 Moore Aviation, reg cancelled 10.97

- TBM Inc established itself in the fire bomber field, gaining contracts from State and Federal authorities. By the early 1960s it upgraded the fire tanker fleet from the initial TBM Avengers to Grumman F7F Tiger Cats and Boeing B-17 tankers. During the 1970s the fleet was standardised on Douglas DC-6 and DC-7 retired airliners fitted with large belly retardant tanks.

- In 1970 the California Division of Forestry initiated a program in which surplus US Navy Grumman S-2A Trackers would be leased to commercial air tanker companies to operate as fire bombers on contract to CDF. Aero Union Corp, Sis-Q Flying Service and Hemet Valley Flying Service were issued with Trackers which they flew for the CDF over the next twenty years. It appears that TBM Inc was also to be a participant, three S-2As being delivered early in the program to Sequoia from storage at Davis Monthan AFB AZ. However TBM Inc did not covert or operate any CDF Trackers and the three at Sequoia were left outside in their Davis Monthan protective latex storage covering. In 1988 CDF sold all remaining untanked S-2A airframes to Conair Ltd, Abbotsford BC for their Firecat conversion production line. The three stored at Sequoia were dismantled by Conair crews and moved by road to Canada.- In 1970 the California Division of Forestry initiated a program in which surplus US Navy Grumman S-2A Trackers would be leased to commercial air tanker companies to operate as fire bombers on contract to CDF. Aero Union Corp, Sis-Q Flying Service and Hemet Valley Flying Service were issued with Trackers which they flew for the CDF over the next twenty years. It appears that TBM Inc was also to be a participant, three S-2As being delivered early in the program to Sequoia from storage at Davis Monthan AFB AZ. However TBM Inc did not covert or operate any CDF Trackers and the three at Sequoia were left outside in their Davis Monthan protective latex storage covering. In 1988 CDF sold all remaining untanked S-2A airframes to Conair Ltd, Abbotsford BC for their Firecat conversion production line. The three stored at Sequoia were dismantled by Conair crews and moved by road to Canada.

- During 1972 TBM Inc acquired a majority financial interest in fire bomber company Butler Aircraft Company, Redmond Oregon which became a subsidiary of TBM Inc. Hank Moore wanted the two businesses to operate separately, although aircraft and crews were pooledwhen required. USFS annual tanker contracts often listed Butler DC-7s as operated by TBM Inc, and show TBM Inc's address as Redmond OR. Hank Moore visited the Butler operation at Redmond 3 or 4 times each year.

- In the late 1970s, Hank Moore joined with other US tanker operators in an exchange scheme with the USAF Museum and US Navy Air Museum in which retired ex-military air tankers were traded to the museums in exchange for surplus transport aircraft stored at Davis Monthan AFB. Moore selected Dougas C-117Ds, Fairchild C-123K Providers and a Douglas C-118B in return for the tankers, engines and parts he traded to the museums. These were made airworthy at Davis Monthan AFB then flown to Sequoia Field where they were parked. Although the original intention was to simply generate income by on-selling these ex-miliary aircraft on the civil market, one C-117D was experimentally fitted wih a belly retardant tank previously on a TBM Inc Tigercat and one C-123K was operated as a tanker.

Trade-A-Plane advertisement September 1984

TBM Inc boosted its capacity in 1989 when surplus USAF C-130A Hercules were acquired through a USFS sponsored program which formalised the exchange of retired tanker aircraft to air museums in return for ex-military C-130As and P-3A Orions. At that time USFS was changing its environmental policy to replace piston-engined tankers with turbine powered tankers, which were deemed to have less impact on the environment. TBM Inc negotiated various museum trade deals which allowed the company to be allocated C-130As in storage at Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona.

During 2009 TBM Inc moved its base from Visalia-Sequoia Field to the nearby former Castle AFB, Atwater CA. Operations centred on contract work for the remaining C-130As which the USFS had dropped from its acceptable firebomber types.

TBM Inc support aircraft:
Cessna P206 N2612X registered to TBM Inc 6.8.68, current 2022. Noted at Stockton CA 8.81 WITH "TBM Inc" markings.

Grumman TBM-3	N1366N	Bu85594	8.57-8.73	E66 E60	Registered 27.8.57 to TBM Inc ex US Navy surplus -Leased to Aero Union Corp as tanker #E60 for 1973 season, crashed 18.8.73 on takeoff Placerville CA while operated by AU
Grumman TBM-3	N6822C (N5567A)	Bu53593	.58-9.82	-	Registered N6822C 27.8.57 to TBM Inc ex US Navy surplus not tanked, stored Sequoia complete with turret until 1982 in faded US Navy paintwork; -During 1960s TBM Inc made a new registration application and FAA allocated N5567A which was hand-painted on the aircraft but civil conversion again was not commenced; -Traded .82 to National Museum of Naval Aviation, NAS Pensacola, restored to airworthy at Sequoia by TBM Inc and repainted allover blue "US Navy 53593", flown 9.82 to NAS Pensacola FL
Grumman TBM-3	N6827C	Bu91110	6.59-c75	E58	Purchased 24.6.59 ex Clayton Curtiss, Bakersfield CA as a sprayer Sold c75 to Hillcrest Aircraft, Lewiston ID
Grumman TBM-3U	N6829C	Bu91741	.57-63	E57	Registered .57 to TBM Inc ex US Navy surplus sold c63 to Ag Air Inc, Dos Palos CA as a sprayer
Grumman TBM-3	N1368N	Bu85640	.57-c71		Registered .57 to TBM Inc ex US Navy surplus registration cancelled c71, fate unknown
Grumman TBM-3	N1369N	Bu85715	.57-69	E36	Registered .57 to TBM Inc ex US Navy surplus sold .69 to Sis-Q Fying Service as fire tanker
Interstate TDR-1	N7790C	Bu64507	c57-68		Purchased by Hank Moore by 57, experimentally flown with retardant tank Retired, derelict at Tulare CA airport by 68
SNJ-6 Texan	N9800C	Bu112227	by63-9.87	-	support aircraft between tanker bases Registered to Moore Aviation by 1963, tfd to TBM Inc sold 26.9.87 to Jerry Borchin, Kernersvile NC as a warbird
Grumman F7F-3P Tigercat	N6129C	Bu80390	6.66-11.78	E62	Purchased 6.66 ex Butler Aircraft Co as tanker #F16 sold 11.78 to Harold Beal, Knoxville TN as warbird, to N700F
Grumman F7F-3AT	N7654C	Bu80474	c68-80	E63	Purchased c66 ex Butler Aircraft Co as tanker #F18 Traded .80 to National Museum of Naval Aviation, NAS Pensacola, restored to military config.,, displayed as "US Navy 80373 code 12"
Grumman F7F-3P	N7235C	Bu80425	c68-82	E64	Purchased c66 ex Butler Aircraft Co as tanker #F17 sold .82 to David Tallichet/Military Aircraft Restoration Corp CA as a warbird, later flown to Duxford as G-RUMT "Marines 80425/WT4"
Grumman F7F-3P	-	Bu80503	60-c80	-	stored dismantled Sequoia, no civil conversion Sold c80 to Mike Bogue, Oakland CA as warbird project, to N800RW
Boeing B-17G	N3702G	43-38635	4.67-11.79	E61	Purchased 25.4.67 ex Fast-Way Air Service as tanker #E61 Sold 1.11.79 to Aero Union Corp in a trade-deal with USAF Museum, restored to military configuration as "38635/A-N Virgin's Delight" and delivered from Chico CA to Castle AFB Museum 26.11.79
Boeing B-17G	N3703G	44-83546	4.67-9.82	E78 E68	Purchased 25.4.67 ex Fast-Way Air Service as tanker #E78 Sold 30.9.82 to David Tallichet/Military Aircraft Restoration Corp, Chino CA as warbird, restored as "230604/LN-T"
Boeing B-17G	N5237V	44-83868	c75-82	65	Transferred c75 ex Butler Aircraft Co as tanker #65, retired at Sequoia .81, sold .82 to RAF Museum, Hendon, restored to military configuration at Sequoia as "483868/N", first test flight Sequoia 28.9.83, departed Sequoia 3.10.83 for 10 day delivery flight to England crewed 2 RAF pilots and Kenny Stubbs (TBM Inc Director of Maintenance), displayed at RAF Museum, Hendon
Northrop F-15A Reporter	N9768Z	45-59300	3.68-9.68	E65	Purchased 15.3.68 ex Cal-Nat Airways as tanker #E65 Crashed on takeoff 6.9.68 Hollister CA, pilot Ralph Ponte trapped in cockpit as fire broke out, a TBM tanker was diverted and dropped retardant on the F-15A wreck, saving Ponte's life.
Grumman US-2A Tracker	N418DF	Bu133045	74-88	-	3 S-2As issued to TBM Inc by California Dept of Forestry Delivered to Sequoia c74. Not tanked, parked in open 74-88, Sold by CDF .88 to Conair Ltd, Canada, dismantled by Conair crew, moved by road to Abbotsford BC where conversion to Firecat was abandoned due corrosion. Scapped at Abbotsford 8.04
Grumman US-2A	N421DF	Bu136474	74-88	-	Delivered to Sequoia c74. Not tanked, parked in open 74-88, Sold by CDF .88 to Conair Ltd, Canada, dismantled by Conair crew, moved by road to Abbotsford BC, rebuilt as Firecat C-GHYQ
Grumman US-2A	N413DF	Bu136582	74-88	-	Delivered to Sequoia c74. Not tanked, parked in open 74-88, assumed included to the 1988 group sale to Conair, Canada but it was not listed with the ex CDF airframes received at Abbotsford
Douglas DC-6	N90739	43033	1.73-1.98	97 68	Purchased 1.73 ex Dallas Aero Service Tanked with Aero Union belly retardant tank, Retired 97 at Sequoia, registration cancelled 8.1.98. Parked at Sequoia until broken-up for scrap c2005.
Douglas DC-7B	N838D	45486	4.73-8.82	60	Purchased 4.73 ex Skyway Traders as a freighter Converted to tanker Tfd 8.82 to Butler Aircraft Co as tanker #60
Douglas DC-7B	N848D	45454	2.75-10.92	61	Purchased 4.73 ex Christian Flight Services Parked Fresno CA 9.77 pending tanker conversion crashed 1.10.92 near Union Valley Reservoir CA during fire attack, operating from Stockton CA.
Douglas DC-7	N6353C	45486	3.75-8.82	66	Tfd 3.75 ex Butler Aircraft Co Converted .75 to tanker Tfd 8.82 to Butler Aircraft Co as tanker #66
Douglas DC-7B	N756Z	45400	5.80-3.07	-	Tfd 5.80 ex Butler Aircraft Co as freighter No tanker conversion, operated as freighter, all metallic finish, retired, parked at Medford OR by 1990 on Butler ramp Tfd 3.07 to Butler Aircaft Co, still parked as Medford
Fairchild C-119G	N48076	52-5846	1977	135	Leased for 1977 fire season from Hawkins & Powers Aviation
Douglas C-117D	N8538C	Bu17166	10.80-9.84	-	Acquired as part of a trade deal with US Navy Museum, Pensacola Delivered 7.10.80 ex Davis Monthan AFB storage to TBM Inc, parked at Sequoia 80-83 in US Marines markings, pending resale sold 12.9.84 to Intercoastal Airways, Detroit MI, to N973SN
Douglas C-117D	N8538F	Bu17108	8.80-9.83	-	Acquired as part of a trade deal with US Navy Museum, Pensacola Delivered 21.8.80 ex Davis Monthan AFB storage to TBM Inc, parked at Sequoia 80-82 in US Marines markings, Experimentally fitted with belly retardant tank ex F7F during 1982 at Sequoia but not operated as a tanker; sold 14.9.83 to Reagan Enterprises, Chico CA, to C-GDIK
Douglas C-117D	N8583R	Bu12437	10.80-10.84	-	Acquired as part of a trade deal with US Navy Museum, Pensacola Delivered 7.10.80 ex Davis Monthan AFB storage to TBM Inc, parked at Sequoia 80-82 in US Marines markings, operated by TBM Inc as freighter for Alaska fish hauling 1982, season 1982sold 10.10.84 to Skyfreighters Corp, Fort Worth TX, to N306SF
Douglas C-117D	N1334K	Bu17248	10.81-5.84	-	Acquired as part of a trade deal with US Navy Museum, Pensacola Registered 10.81 to TBM Inc, ex Davis Monthan AFB storage, sold 5.84 to Western International Avtn, Tucson AZ, to C-GDOG
Douglas C-118B	N1383X	Bu131954	11.81-1.82		Acquired as part of a trade deal with US Navy Museum, Pensacola Delivered 25.11.81 to TBM Inc ex Davis Monthan AFB storage, Sold 1.82 to Sis-Q Flying Service, became tanker N777SQ
Fairchild C-123K Provider	N3142D	54-0589	6.82-87	63	Delivered 22.6.82 to TBM Inc ex Davis Monthan AFB storage, Registered 7.82 N3142D to TBM Inc, fitted as tanker #63 sold .87 to Hemet Valley Flying Service CA as tanker #63
Fairchild C-123K	N4034L	54-0683	6.82-89	(64)	Delivered 6.82 to TBM Inc ex Davis Monthan AFB storage, Registered 6.83 N4024L to TBM Inc. USFS allocated tanker #64 Not fitted as tanker, parked Sequoia CA USAF camouflage 83-88 Delivered to Edwards AFB Museum CA c89 as part of USFS exchange programe to acquire C-130As
Fairchild C-123K	N3836A	54-0610	.82-89	(65)	Delivered .82 to TBM Inc ex Davis Monthan AFB storage, Reg. candidate 3.83 N3836A to TBM Inc. USFS allocated tanker #65, but not used Registered 8.83 Butler Aircraft Co, Redmond OR Not fitted as tanker, parked Sequoia CA USAF camouflage 83-88 Delivered to Hill AFB Museum UT c89 as part of USFS exchange programe to acquire C-130As
Douglas C-54T	N8502R	90411 USMC	1.87-7.08	65	Purchased 14.1.87 from Ken Spiva, Stockton CA as tanker #165 sold 29.7.08 to Brooks Fuel, Fairbanks AK
Douglas C-54D	N49451	42-72617	1.87	-	Purchased 14.1.87 ex Aircraft Surplus Inc, Tucson AZ sold 14.1.87 (same day) to AMCEP Inc
Lockheed C-130A	N473TM	56-0473	5.89-2014	63	Registered 3.5.89 TBM Inc stored Chico CA 89-90, tanked by 92 retired, stripped at Sequoia by 2013 donated to Castle Air Museum Atwater CA, delivered 2014
Lockheed C-130A	N537TM	56-0537	5.89-8.89	-	Registered 3.5.89 TBM Inc stored Chico CA 89-90 sold 8.89 Roy D. Reagan, Chico CA, became N130RR
Lockheed C-130A	N466TM	57-0466	5.89-	64	Registered 3.5.89 TBM Inc tanked 89 at Chico CA by Aero Union, operational as tanker by 4.90 at Sequoia, USAF camouflage #64, Operated for ASB Avionics, Mojave CA 05-09 2022: registered to TBM Inc with current CofA
Lockheed C-130A	N479TM	57-0479	89-	-	Registered 3.12.91 TBM Inc open storage 91-12 Redmond OR with Butler Aircraft Co, stripped for parts in faded USAF camouflage, made airworthy c2013 ferried Redmond OR-Sequoia CA c2013, parked, USAF camouflage, registration cancelled 30.6.13, renewed 30.5.19 TBM Inc 2022: registered to TBM Inc with current CofA
Lockheed C-130A	N531BA N531TB	56-0531	89-	67	stored Chico CA 90 unconverted Registered 8.3.91 Butler Aircraft Co, Redmond OR, tanker #67 Ownership transferred 9.11.06 to TBM Inc, Sequoia CA Reregistered 12.17 N531TB to TBM Inc, Atwater CA 2022: registered to TBM Inc with current CofA
Lockheed C-130A	N8053R	56-0496	5.89	-	Registration application 2.5.89: TBM Inc Registered N8053R 5.89 Hawkins & Powers Aviation, Greybull WY stored Greybull WY by 8.89, USAF camouflage
Lockheed JC-130A	-	54-1639	5.89-2008	-	stripped for parts at Sequoia 90-96, USAF camouflage, fuselage at Mojave CA by 2006 at ASB Avionics hangar
Lockheed SP-2H Neptune	N703AU		2003	03	Leased from Aero Union for 2003 season at least

TBM-3 N1366N tanker #60 at the Santa Barbara CA air attack base during October 1966. Photo by J.A.Morrow

N6827C was a former US Navy carrier supply TBM-3U modification. Photo by Dan Dineen

Grumman TBM-3E Avenger Bu53593 seen stored at Sequoia in September 1977 alongside ex US Navy H-34 helicopters.
The Avenger was stock military with rear turret, still wearing US Navy New York markings with hand-painted civil
registration N5567A for ferry to TBM Inc, despite being originally registered N6822C. Photo by Geoff Goodall

Probably most unusual of all fire bomber types was this Interstate TDR-1 N7790C. These were WWII wood construction
twin-engined remote-control drone bombers, although some like this model, had a pilot cockpit with canopy. Around 1959
Hank Moore experimented with N7790C fitted with a belly retardant tank, as seen in this rare photograph.

SNJ-6 Texan N9800C at Sequoia in September 1977 with TBM Inc motif on the tail. Photo by Geoff Goodall

Grumman F7F-3 Tigercat N7654C tanker #E63 at Sequoia in September 1977. Photo by Geoff Goodall

TBM Inc Grumman Tigercat N6129C tanker #E62 on station at the Fresno CA attack base in September 1977.
Parked behind is TBM Inc's DC-7B N848D stored here prior to tanker conversion. Photo by Geoff Goodall

N6129C a month later with belly tank removed and bright new paintwork, visiting a Confederate Air Force airshow at
Harlingen Texas. It was sent to several other airshows at that time to attract the attenton of potential warbird buyers.
The sales stategy worked, it was sold and restored to US Marines configuration. Photo by Geoff Goodall

Here's N6129C as a warbird reregistered N700F, firing up at Oshkosh July 1989, now owned by Preston Parish.
Photo by Geoff Goodall

Northrop F-15A Reporter N9768Z tanker #E65 failed to climb after takeoff at Hollister CA on 6 September 1968.

TBM Inc Boeing B-17 N3702G tanker #E61 at Sequoia CA in October 1979. Photo by Steve Williams

TBM Inc Boeing B-17 N5237V tanker #65 at Sequoia CA in October 1979 while fitted for chemical spraying.
Note the nose modification design differences with the previous B-17. Photo by Steve Williams

These three ex US Navy Grumman US-2A Trackers were issued to TBM Inc by California Department of Forestry,
but were not tanked. They are seen stored at Sequoia in September 1977. Photo by Geoff Goodall

US-2A Tracker N413DF at Sequoia September 1977 in faded US Navy paintwork and areas of storage protective
coating from its days in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB. Photo by Geoff Goodall

DC-6 N90739 tanker #68 at the Wenatchee WA attack base in October 1991. Photo by Geoff Goodall

TBM Inc's DC-6 N90739 tanker #68 in action.

TBM Inc DC-7B N838D tanker #E60 at Lancaster-Fox Field CA in September 1980 wih retardant-stained belly tank.
Photo by Barney Deatrick

DC-7B N848D tanker #61 landing at Fox Field Attack Base CA in September 1981. Photo by Geoff Goodall

TBM Inc's DC-7B N838D having maintenance at Visalia CA October 1992 while on Bureau of Land Management contract
to combat wild fires in the Sierra Mountains range in Nevada. It was emblazoned with "NV-BLM SIERRA FRONT".
Photo by Geoff Goodall

C-117D N8538C (ex Bu17166) parked at Sequoiia during March 1983 in US Marines markings. Photo by Lewis Grant

Two views of C-117D N8538F (ex Bu17108) at Sequoia in October 1982 while experimentally fitted with the belly retardant
tank previously used by a TBM Inc Tigercat. Photos by Larrry Kraus

Fairchild C-123K N3142D tanker #63 at the Santa Barbara CA attack base in October 1987. Photo by Gordon Reid

C-123K N4034L stored at Sequoia in October 1987 pending civil conversion or resale. Photo by Gordon Reid

Douglas C-54 N8502R tanker #65 at TBM's home base Sequoia CA on a foggy morning in October 1992.
Photo by Geoff Goodall

Lockheed C-130A N473TM tanker #63 was also at Sequoia in October 1992. Photo by Geoff Goodall

TBM Inc C-130A N479TM "parts ship" was parked at associate Butler Aircraft Co's base at Redmond Oregon 1991-2013
when TBM made it airworthy for a ferry flight to Sequoia. Photo at Redmond October 1992 by Geoff Goodall.

Teske's Aviation Inc, Twin Falls Idaho
Eugene Teske was a short-lived tanker contractor with Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon sprayers. The company is known to have conducted fire bombing work in Pennsylvania during 1986 on contract to State authorities.

Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon	N6657D	Bu84062	11.85-11.86	101	Purchased 11.85 ex Dawson Aviation MT as tanker #101 Operated 1986 fire season as fire bomber in Pennsylvania sold 11.86 to Albert Hoover, Twin Falls ID, sold 8.80 to Quarry Products CA who acquired PV-2s to resell as warbirds
Lockheed PV-2	N6853C	Bu37159	1986	176	Leased .86 ex Central Air Service as tanker #176
Lockheed PV-2	N6856C	Bu	1986	38	Leased .86 ex Dawson Aviation MT as tanker #38

Edgar Thorsrud, Missoula Montana
Edgar L.Thorsrud, Missoula MT
Ed Thorsrud grew up at Missoula and enlisted in USAAF during WWII, flying transports in Britain and Europe. After the war he was a smoke-jumper before joining Johnson Flying Service at Missoula as a pilot for US Forest Service contracts, including carrying smoke jumpers and fire bombing. During the 1960s he formed his own tanker business at Missoula which appears ot have contracted to thr US Bureau of Land Management and the State of Alaska Forestry Department.
Edgar Lauritz Thorsrud died on 27 March 2007 aged 84.
Other aircraft:
Fairchild PT-19 Cornell: N49069 (10.54 to 3.71)

Grumman TBM-3 Avenger	N3969A	Bu53787	by63-c70	1	Registered by 1963 to E.L.Thorsrud, Missoula MT, tanker #1 forced landing off-airport 25.7.66 Potomac MI, repaired sold c70 to Johnson Flying Service, Missoula MT as tanker #A21
North American TB-25N Mitchell	N9088Z	44-30733	12.66-6.69	8Z	Purchased 12.66 ex Johnson Flying ServICe, Missoula MT as a tanker Forced landing gear up 27.6.69 on a sandbar in Tanana River after takeoff from Fairbanks-Fort Wainright AK on fire attack mission, pilot Herm Gallaher unhurt but aircraft abandoned in situ. Wreck salvaged in 2013 for restoration as warbird
TB-25N Mitchell	N9857C	43-28059	7.70-12.79	8	Purchased 7.70 ex Red Dodge, Achorage AK as tanker #4 sold 12.79 to Max Power Inc, Carlsbad CA as a warbjrd

A family connection is Gar Thorsud who founded Mountain West Aviation in 1975 with Twin Otters and was long-time President of Sierra Pacific Airlines until his death in Novermber 2014. Sierra Pacific operated scheduled airlines services within Californa and also had extensive contracts with US military, US Marshals Service and US Forest Service using Convair 580s and later Boeing 737s During the 1970s-80s wildfire seasons their Convair 580s collected smoke jumpers to carry to airports close to active fires. Gar Thorsrud, like Edgard J. Thorsrud had earlier been a smoke-jumper, but later flew CIA missions with Intermountain Aviation based at the CIA's airfield Marana Arizona. A 1985 report on Sierra Pacific Airlines, based at Marana AZ quoted President Gar Thorsrud and among company pilots was Erik M. Thorsrud.

Ed Thorsrud's Grumman TBM-3 N3969A at Missoula MT in September 1968 with an unusual tanker #1.
Photo by Neil Aird

Two views of Ed Thorsrud's B-25 N9088Z which was based in Alaska contracted to regional authorities.
The N number "last two" was used as tanker number on the tail fins.

N9088Z at Fairbanks AK, cowlings and vertical tailplanes painted dayglo orange and N number on rear fuselage in red.

B-25 N9088Z abandoned on a sandbar in the Tanna River near Fairbanks Alaska

Ed Thorsud's second B-25 N9857C seen at Fairbanks AK in July 1979. Previous owner Red Dodge's vintage
horse-drawn fire wagon artwork was still on the nose. Photo by Geoff Goodall

Thorsrud family connection - a Sierra Pacific Airlines Convair 580 brings smoke jumpers to Klamath Falls Oregon to
work on a series of wild fires during September 1981. Photo by Geoff Goodall

G.J. Towle, Alamo California
A very early fire tanker and spraying operator with a Boeing B-17G N5227V, actually a US Navy surplus PB-1W airborne early warning version with a large belly radome and other modifications. rays Cnvaur Vyears later having it further modified for fire bombing. The B-17 was sold in 1963 and no other aircraft are known to have been owned by Towle.

Boeing B-17G
to PB-1W

N5227V

Bu7229

3.58-10.63

Purchased 25.3.58 from American Compressed Steel Corp, Dallas TX
(stored Dallas-Love Field wiith other USN surplus PB-1Ws)
CofA 4.58 as insecticide sprayer: four external 450 gallon & two 170 gallon bombay tanks feeding under-wing spray booms,
Modified 9.60 as fire tanker with retardant tank and hopper
Photographs show it was operated in its original US Navy blue paintwork
Sold 21.10.63 to Bellamy Aviation, Miami for resale to Bolivia as a freighter

*Tyler Flight Service, Long Island New York, later Westminster Maryland
Operated by Ken W. Tyler, this spraying business was sometimes refered to as "Ken Tyler Flight Service".

Ken Tyler was raised in Oakland California and took up flying at an early age. He flew as a stunt pilot for movies before in 1936 becoming a mercenary pilot for the Loyalists during the Spanish Civil War. By 1939 he was in China flying fighters with the "Flying Tigers" against the Japanese invasion for General Chiang-Kai sheck. After a period with Royal Canadian Air Force, during which he flew for RAF Ferry Command delivering RAF aircraft to England, he joined Pan American World Airways during WWII as a civilian pilot flying military contracts supplying African and Chinese war theatres. By 1943 he was engaged by Republic Aviation to test fly P-47 Thunderbolts off the production line.

Immediately after WWII, he established Tyler Flight Service with a large feet of military-disposals Vultee BT-13s fitted for spraying. To bid for Government contracts for large-scale insecticide spraying, two ex-USAAF Douglas B-18s were purchased, fitted with liquid tanks in the bomb bay.
In June 1947 Tyler Flight Service began trials on behalf of Republic Aviation, flying a Republic RC-3 Seabee NC6331K fitted for spraying.
The spray business seems to have been wound up by 1954. The two B-18s had been repossessed by mortgagee D.Eugene Walsh, who in May 1954 held an auction for the pair at Tyler's home base Westminster Airport Maryland. Both B-18s were still tanked with operational pump systems.

Tyler set up a manufacturing business of his own designs including aircraft components, fibreglass boats and household products.He continued flying, designing poison bait spreader equipment which he flew himself in Australia to spread during dingo (wild dogs) plagues. Later he flew workers to mine sites in Africa.

Ken Tyler was killed 28 August 1962 aged 51 when flying low level aerobatics in a Waco biplane during an airshow at Henderson Kentucky. His obituary in Time magazine described him as "test pilot, nerveless Hollywood stuntman and soldier of fortune who claimed to have had 144 airplane crashes."

Other aircraft:
Vultee BT-13 sprayers N52624, N64609
Piper J3C Cub N33545

Douglas B-18A	N66272	37-581	3.50-5.55		Purchased 7.3.50 ex Cape Air Service, Hyannis MA sprayer with 700 gallon liquid chemical tank in bombay ownership tfd 5.54 to mortgagee D.Eugene Walsh, auction sale 7.5.54 sold 5.55 to Plains Aero Service, Amarillo TX
Douglas B-18A	N67947	37-505	by51-55		sprayer with 1,000 gallon aluminium liquid chemical tank in bombay ownership tfd 5.54 to mortgagee D.Eugene Walsh, auction sale 7.5.54 (by 1963 was sprayer with Aero Service of Dalhart, Dalhart TX)

Douglas B-18A N62947 at Elgin Oregon 1950 while spraying budworm infested local forests. Frank Flack/USFS

Filling the chemical tank in Tyler Flight Service's Vultee BT-13A N52624 at Elgin OR 1950. Tyler had deployed at least
seven Vultee BT-13s and a B-18 to Oregon for that forest spraying job. Photo by Frank Flack/USFS

Universal Air Tankers, Boise Idaho
Universal Air Tankers Inc, P.O.Box 4600, Boise ID
An early tanker business which lost its only B-25 due to wing structural failure during fire attack in July 1960. A series of similar failures during the pitch-up climb after retardant drop resulted in the USFS banning B-25s from its tanker contracts, although they were still used for State agencies and Bureau of Land Management.

North American
TB-25N

N5239V

44-30079

7.59-7.60

Purchased 7.59 ex Blue Mountain Air Service, Oregon as a fire tanker
destroyed 26.7.60 when wing broke away due structural failure during fire attack
in Okanogan National Forest WA, pilot J.Pat Hendriks and copilot killed

Varney Air Industries, Willows California
An agricultural spraying busines which flew Naval Aircraft Factory N3N biplanes air tankers in the mid 1950s during the formative years of California fire bombing. Varney joined with other spraying companies like Willows Air Service to provide squadrons of tankers in 1956 which attacked mountain wild fires in groups or individually, dropping "Borate brand" retardant powder hand-mixed with water to a heavy consistency.
One of its spraying aircraft was Vultee BT-13 N63792 (1954 to 1960)

NAF N3N

N44959

1956-1963

Neale Wade, Willows California
Neale D. Wade, 512 French Street, Willows CA
Neale Wafe was a Willows resident who operated various businesses and was also e county police officer. He had commenced flying before WW2 and his wartime US Navy Seabee service in the Pacific. Duriing the 1950s he established a crop spraying operation at Willows. In 1956 he joined other agricultural spraying businesses which flew Naval Aircraft Factory N3N and Boeing Stearman biplanes fitted as air tankers during the formative years of California fire bombing. He worked alongside Willows Air Service to provide squadrons of biplane tankers to attack mountain wild fires in groups or individually, dropping Borate liquid retardant.
- A 1963 US Forest Service tanker operator list shows: Neal Wade, c/- California Dept of Forestry Base, Hobergs CA.
- Neale D Wade, 250 Cord Street Willows owned Rockwell S-2D N1762S 1982-1999.

NAF N3N

N45014

56-72

WAIG Aircraft Inc, Tucson Arizona

Dedicated fire tanker business formed in 1976 to be based at Tucson AZ. The company name was taken from the initials of the four partners, all being former pilots with Hawkins & Powers Aviation in Wyoming: Ken White, Clyde Alford, Roger Iverson and Gary Garrett. Roger Iverson had also held the position of Maintenance Foreman at H&P.
- WAIG Aircraft Inc designed and built its own 2,000 gallon 8-tank under-belly DC-4 retardant tank delivery system, initially with hydraulic activation. Further development led to electric activation systems controlled from a cockpit console.
- In a tragic accident on 2 December 1980, Clyde Alford and his copilot were killed when WAIG C-54 N96449 #118 collided mid-air with WAIG C-54 N406WA #119 near Palm Springs CA. They were flying in formation on a positioning flight from deployment at Hemet CA home to Tucson at the end of the season. The crew of N96649 lost control their aircraft and crashed in desert near Indio CA. Kenny White and Gary Garrett in the damaged #119 were able make an emergency landing at Palm Springs CA. After repair it returned to tanker service with WAIG Aircraft

During 1981 WAIG Aircraft Inc was restructured under a new name ARDO Inc with initial principle officers Ken White and Gary Garrett, who were both Captains on C-54 tankers. ARDCO was a successful fire attack business using additional C-54s. Refer ARDCO for further details

Douglas C-54S	N96449	Bu91998	9.77-12.80	118	Purchased 23.9.77 ex Hillcrest Aircraft, Idaho tanked by WAIG crashed 2.1.2.80 in desert Indio CA after collision with N406WA during positioning flight in formation.
Douglas C-54G	N406WA	45-491	1977-11.81	119	Delivered to Dross Metals, Tucson ex Davis Monthan AFB storage 10.3.76, sold to WAIG .77, tanked by WAIG and re-engined with Wright R-2600s, Registered 30.3.79 WAIG Aircraft Inc as tanker #119 transferred 11.81 to ARDCO Inc
Douglas C-54E	N460WA	44-9133	11.76-11.81	151	Delivered to Dross Metals, Tucson ex Davis Monthan AFB storage 10.3.76, on-sold to WAIG 10.11.76, tanked by WAIG Aircraft Inc transferred 11.81 to ARDCO Inc
Douglas C-54T	N8502R	Bu90411	1981	165	Leased from Kenneth Spiva, Stockton CA for 1981-1983 seasons at least, tanked .81 with WAIG design belly tank transferred 11.81 to ARDCO Inc

WAIG Inc Douglas C-54 N406WA at Tucson AZ in November 1981 just as the business was renamed ARDCO Inc.
Photo by Geoff Goodall

C-54 N8502R tanker #165 at Tucson November 1981 while being leased by WAIG Inc. It retained the former US Marines
paint scheme which made the round cabin windows appear square. Photo by Geoff Goodall

E.D. Weiner, Los Angeles, California
Ellis D. Weiner, 8619 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles CA. His aircraft were usually parked at Long Beach and Van Nuys Airports.
A high profile pilot widely known for his sport aviation and air racing, during the 1950s-1960s known as "E.D.Weiner".
IFrom the late 1950s he purchased B-25 Mitchells and PV-2 Harpoons, some of which were tanked. There is no indication that Weiner operated these tankers himself, it seems more likely that they were business purchases for resale or lease to tanker companies.
E.D.Weiner died in September 1969 at Reno Nevada from a heart attack after racing his Mustang earlier that day.

Other aircraft:
P-51D N3350        (11.57-9.58)
P-51D N1335        (7.60-10.61)
P-51D N335J (1    (10.60-6.62)
P-51D N9146R    (11.60-11.61)
P-51D N335       (4.64-69 Bardahl Miss, STP Special
P-51D N12064       (.63-c65)
P-51D N335J (2    (3.63-69 Hi Time II)
T-28A N98Z       (c61-c67)
T-28A N3297G       (c61-c67)
F8F-2 N7825C      (58-63)
F8F-1 N3351     (3.59-63)
TP-39Q N40A         (.57-63)
SNJ-4 N6490C     (c61-69)
T-33B N6633D       (65-69)

North American TB-25N	N9899C	44-29127	9.58-9.62		Registered 19.9.58 E.D.Weiner ex USAF surplus sold 9.62 to Constantine Zaharoff, Grand Prairie TX
TB-25N	N9256C	44-29810	4.61-71		Purchased 10.4.61 ex civilian owner fate unknown, registration cancelled 12.1.71 still in Weiner's ownership
TB-25N	N9865C	44-28834	3.63-7.63	30	Purchased 3.63 ex Clayton Curtiss, Boise ID as tanker #E30 sold 7.63 to Aero Enterprises, La Porte IN, a company from which he had purchased several ex RCAF Mustangs
Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon	N7079C	Bu37499	3.57-12.59		Purchased 27.3.57 ex US Navy disposals at Litchfield Park AZ civil conversion 10.58 as N83L sold 3.12.59 to Medford Air Service, Oregon as a tanker
PV-2 Harpoon	N7080C	Bu37499	3.57-12.57		Purchased 28.3.57 ex US Navy disposals at Litchfield Park AZ sold 12.57 to A.S.Murphy, Yerington NV prior to civil conversion
PV-2 Harpoon	N7272C	Bu37276	2.63-8.63		Purchased 15.2.63 ex John Rodenthal, Hillsboro CA sold 22.8.63 to Aero Enterprises Inc, Anchorage AK

B-25 N9865C tanker #30 at Long Beach CA in 1963 while owned by E.D.Weiner. Earl Holmquist collection

Wen Inc, Porterville California
An early Grumman TBM tanker operator. Appears to have been associated with Sierra Aviation, Porterville CA

Grumman TBM-3	N7226C	Bu85938	.60-10.63	E44	Purchased .60 ex Sonora Flying Sevice as tanker #61 Operated for periods by Sierra Aviation, Porterville CA Sold 10.63 to Whirly Birds Inc, Porterville CA
Grumman TBM-3	N6823C	Bu85636	.63-1.65	E45	Purchased .63 ex Sierra Aviation, Porterville CA as tanker #E45 sold 5.1.66 to Air Tankers Inc, Newcastle WY as a tanker
Grumman TBM-3S Avenger AS.3	N9711Z	RCN 53697	.63-65	E46	Purchased .63 ex Sierra Aviation, Porterville CA as tanker #E46 sold .65 to P&B Aviation,, Red Bluff CA as a tanker

Wen Inc's former Royal Canadian Navy Grumman Avenger AS.3 N9711Z at the Hollister CA attack base September 1965.
Wen Inc sold this aircraft to P&B Aviation during 1965 so it could have been with either company in this picture.
Photo by William T. Larkins

Wenatchee Air Service - Wenairco, Wenatchee Washington
Wenatchee Air Service Inc, P.O.Box 1160, Wenatchee WA
- A Fixed Base Operator going back to pre-WWII when it had a flying school fleet of Piper Cubs. The company was one of the early fire bombing operators in 1958, commencing with B-25 Mitchells before adoping PV-2 Harpoons and a Consoiidated PB4Y-2 Privateer.
- An associated company name Wenairco of Canada Ltd was established in 1960 just over the border at Vancouver BC.
- William A. Dempsay, an established insecticide spraying operator based at Rantoul, Kansas bought into Wenairco during the late 1960s to widen his business. He devised an engineering plan to change the Wenairco Privateer's wing internal fuel tanks to a wet wing fuel system.
- In 1972 Bill Dempsay took over Wenairco's business and assets to form a much larger fire bombing operation under the name Central Air Service.
See Central Air Service.

North Americxn TB-25K Mitchell	N9613C	44-30377	6.58-7.60		Purchased 6.58 ex Arrow Saless Inc (ex USAF surplus) tanked 8.58 for spraying or fire bombing, crashed 26.7.60 Twin Wasp WA structural failure, wing broke away during pull up after borate retardant drop, George Carey and copilot killed
TB-25N Mitchell	N7946C	44-28938	10.58-6.66		Purchased 10.58 ex P.J.Murray CA (ex USAF surplus) tanked 5.59 for fire bombing 1,200 gallon capacity, sold 6.66 to Sports Air, Seattle for onward-sale to Red Dodge Aviation, Anchorage AK as tanker #4
VB-25N Mitchell	N1042B	44-30833	12.58-62	-	Purchased 12.58 ex Ralph Richardson, Yakima WA not tanked, parked at Yakima WA 58-62 sold .62 to Tallmantz Aviation CA, fitted camera nose
TB-25N Mitchell	N5277V	44-28866	7.60-8.60	38	Purchased 7.60 ex Aero Boeing, Seattle WA tfd 8.60 to Wenairco of Canada Ltd, Vancouver as CF-OND, tanker #38 sold c67 to Northwestern Air Lease ALTA as tanker #90
Consolidated P4Y-2 Privateer	N6816D	Bu59905	c60-7.72	42	Registered c60 to Wenairco tfd .72 to Central Air Service, Wenatchee WA burnt out 27.7.42 emergency landing Wenatchee due in-flight fire, crew unhurt
Lockheed PV-2D Harpooon	N6657D		6.61-72	F37	Purchased 10.6.61 ex Allied Aircraft Sales tanked 6.61 with extended fibreglass belly retardant tank, tfd .72 to Central Air Service, Wenatchee WA
Lockheed PV-2D Harpooon	N6651D	Bu37537	61-72	F40	Puchased c61 ex Trade-Ayer Inc NJ (dealer) tanked .62 with fibreglass belly retardant tank, tfd .72 to Central Air Service, Wenatchee WA

Wenairco's stored Mitchell VB-25N N1042B parked at Yaklma WA during 1960 waiting to be tanked. The polished metal
surfaces were from its previous USAF role as a VIP transport for senior officers. Photo: Milo Peltzer collection

Wenairco Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer N6816D tanker #42 in an early paint scheme.

The same Privateer N6816D tanker #42 at Troutdale Oregon during September 1971 in a revised Wenairco scheme.
Photo by Ron Olsen

Wenairco PV-2D Harpoon N6651D tanker #40 at Wenatchee WA during August 1971. Photo by Ron Olsen

Wenairco's other Harpoon, PV-2D N6857D tanker #37 at Wenatchee in 1962. Photo by Peter M.Bowers

Western Air Industries - see Aero Union Corp

Western Air Tankers - see John Lippert

Tom White - see Idaho Air Tankers

Wildcat Airways - see Ken Spiva

Willows Flying Service, Willows California
Willows Flying Service Inc, Noltas Airport, Willows CA.
Founded during the 1930s by Floyd H. Nolta as an agricultural spraying and dusting business at the family-owned airport at Willows CA.
After WWII the business was managed by Floyd H. Nolta, Dale E. Nolta and Vance Nolta.

Commencing August 1955 Willows Flying Service was one of the first commercial operators to be engaged by the US Forest Service for early trials of crop spraying biplanes against earliest forest wildfires. At that time the company had a large fleet of military surplus Boeing Stearman biplanes.
From August 1956 WFS was contracted by the USFS to assemble "squadrons" of light tankers, based at Willows CA to work together dropping water or borate mixture retardant on mountainous forest fires. WFS enlisted other local agricultural operators using Stearmans and Naval Aircraft Factory N3N biplanes to make up the squadron numbers. For that first year, the squadron was composed of 4 Stearmans and 3 N3Ns.
For fire attack, these biplane sprayers retained their liquid chemical tanks but had a modified gate installed at the bottom to give the pilot some rudamentary control over the type of drop. Capacity was standardised at 120 gallons of water or 100 gallons of borate retardant liquid mixture. During this first summer using biplane tanker squadrons, a total of 83,000 gallons of water or retardant was dropped and the squadron was deployed as far away as San Diego, 500 miles south, where more than a thousand drops were made against a serious fire in the nearby Cleveland National Forest.

Other agricultural companies which joined Willows Flying Service in the USFS fire bombing "squadron" trials from 1956 were:
- Neale D. Wade, Willows: N3Ns
- Henderson Air Service, Willows: N3Ns
- Varney Air Industries, Willows: N3Ns
- Lee sherwood: N3Ns

These light tankers were effective against certain categories of fires and continued to be used by the USFS until the late 1960s. The "squadron" trials in 1956 appear to be the first use of "tanker numbers", which were painted in large size on each aircraft. Tanker #1 was allocated to Willows Flying Service Boeing PT-17 Stearman N75081 (c/n 75-3182).

Willows Flying Service:
Boeing Stearmans: N75081 (tanker #1, later #E1), N63569 (tanker #2), N6883C (tanker #7), N49479, N56921, N57270, N68117, N68421, N4761V, N56420, N56941, N4758V, N4763V, N4765V, N59535
Other aircraft:
Curtiss Wright Travel Air 2000: N4178, N9011, N2123
PA-18 Super Cub:                   N6181D, N1117A
Cessna 180                            N4548B
Cessna 188 Agwagon      N8097V
Rockwell Snow Commander     N1681S

In addition to the biplane tanker Squadons, Willows Flying Service was backed by USFS to trial a larger twin-engined aircraft with increased tanker capacity. WFS already used USAF surplus Beech AT-11 Kansans as sprayers and USFS agreed that the type would be suitable. During 1956 Willows Flying Service modified their Beech AT-11 N66666 by installing a plywood liquid tank in the cabin to drop through the bomb bay. N6961C was purchased from USAF dusoisaks in Februayr 1957 and similaly tanked.
USFS figures for introduction of AT-11 tankers scross the United States: 8 in 1956, growing to 26 in the 1957 season.

Beech AT-11 Kansan	N66666	41-9584	56-9.70	16 E16	Registered 29.7.49 F.H.Nolta/Willows FS ex USAF disposals plywood tank installed for fire bombing during 1956 at Willows, retired at Willows, reg cancelled 24.9.70. Still parked at Willows 9.75
Beech AT-11 Kansan	N6951C	43-236884	.57-2.71	2 E2	Purchased .57 ex USAF disposals by Willows Flying Service plywood tank installed for fire bombing 1957 retired at Willows, reg cancelled 5.2.71. Still parked at Willows 9.75

Two magazine pictures of the 1956 USFS trials with Willows Flying Service Boeing Stearmans.
USFS support crew use the temporary tent accommodation.

Stearmans N63569 tanker #2 and N6883C tanker #7 being refilled with liquid borate retardant "slurry".
50 pound sacks of Borate powder is being mixed with water in the foreground.

Willows Flying Service Beech AT-11 N6951C tanker #2 at Oakland CA May 1961. Photo by Larry Smalley

Bill Wood, Imperial Beach California
Bill Wood, 577 12th Street, Imperial Beach CA. Only tanker identified is a single Grumman TBM.

Grumman TBM-3E

N9650C

Bu69374

by63-73

Registered by 1963 to Bill Wood, Imperial Beach CA
retired at San Diego-Gillespie Field c1969, parked in open, flat tyres Registration cancelled 14.11.73.
Later acquired by David Tallichet/Military Aircraft Restoration Corp, stored until restored to military configuration for museum display

Bill Woods' Grumman TBM-3 Avenger N9650C parked at San Diego-Gillespie Field in April 1972. Flat tyres, faded
paintwork and missing panels indicate it had been retired here for some years. Photo by Paul Veenboer

Thurman Yates, Gila, New Mexico
Thurman E. Yates, Gila NM, later Silver City NM. Born 23 December 1908.
He was a pre-WWII civilian flying instructor before serving in USAAF including flying transport aircraft over The Hump to China. Following WWII he establised Yates Flying Service and carried out aerial survey mapping of Nrw Mexico and Colorado. He contracted to the US Forest Service to carry supplies and tools, and dropped smoke-jumpers over active fires from a Beech AT-11.
A 1963 US Forest Service tanker operator list shows: Thurman Yates, Silver City NM: Grumman TBM-3 N7219C tanker #C50.

Beech SNB-1 Kansan	N7275C	Bu51025	12.57-8.63		Purchased 10.12.57 ex US Navy disposals at Litchfield Park AZ, civil conversion to carry smoke jumpers, CofA 12.2.58, sold 18.8.63 to Jimmie Grimes, Silver City NM
Grumman TBM-3E Avenger	N7219C	Bu86280	.63-c68	C50	Purchased .63 ex Christopher Davis, Kansas City MO Damaged on takeoff 30.6.65 Silver City NM (repaired) Sold c68 to P.F.Flickinger, Bayard NM as tanker #C50

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