A historical survey of US fire attack air tanker companies to the year 2000, compiled by Geoff Goodall
Idaho Air Tankers Inc, 818 W State Street, Boise Idaho
Founded by Walter E. White and Thomas A.White
A 1963 USFS fire tanker availability list shows Grumman TBM N7030C #D13 operated by Tom White at Salmon Idaho.
|
Grumman TBM-3 Avenger |
N7030C | Bu53454 | by 1963-1965 | D13 | registered by 63 Idaho Air Tankers sold c65 to Reeder Flying Service, Twin Falls ID |
| Douglas A-26 Invader | N9404Z | 41-39190 | 9.61-10.63 | | purchased 27.9.61 exVon Carsted, Long Beach CA sold 19.10.63 to Moseley Aviation AZ |
| Douglas A-26 | N9402Z | 43-22653 | by 1963-2.66 | sold 19.2.66 to Reeder Flying Svce, Twin Falls ID |
Idaho Aircraft Co Inc, P.O.Box 4512 Boise ID
This business was established by Milt Smilanich and Dennis G. Smilanich and incorporated on 12 February 1959.
By 1961 it was a fire bombing contractor to US Forest Service and Burea of Land Management, when tanker pilots included Milt Smilanich, Judd Stevens, Jim Saad, Milt Sparks.
Withdrew from air tanker operations in 1971 but the company continued as an general aviation business at Boise Airport into the 1990s.
Other aircraft:
Beech 35 N738D
Cessna 140 N81066
Cessna 150 N8324G
|
Grumman TBM-3 Avenger |
N7026C | Bu69294 | by 1963-6.70 | D4 | purchased ex Parsons Air Park CA as a tanker destroyed 19.6.70 pilot baled out due engine fire near Boise ID |
| Grumman TBM-1 | N5635N | - | by 1963-8.68 | D3 | purchased ex Parsons Air Park CA as a tanker crashed 9.8.68 Graham, Idaho |
| Grumman TBF-1 | N7922A | Bu48032 | by 1963-1964 | purchased ex Parsons Air Park CA as a tanker sold .64 to Johnson Flying Service Missoula | |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N9590C | Bu53784 | by 1963-1971 | D1 | sold c71 to Aero Union, Chico CA |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N9584Z | Bu85882 | 6.65-12.75 | - | purchased 15.6.5 ex Loening Air, Boise ID for parts, no civil conversion, retained turret, bomb bay doors, sold 12.75 to Ralph Ponte CA for rebuild as a warbird |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N6826C | Bu86244 | 8.68-1971 | purchased 16.8.68 ex John Lippott, Salmon ID as a tanker sold c71 to Aero Union, Chico CA | |
| North American TB-25N Mitchell | N9856C | 43-28204 | 3.61-9.68 | | purchased 3.61 ex Blue Mountain Air Service, La Grande, Oregon as a tanker, sold 9.68 to Filmways for movie Tora Tora Tora |
| TB-25N Mitchell | N2887G | 44-86716 | 3.61-6.65 | purchased 3.61 ex Blue Mountain Air Service, La Grande, Oregon as a tanker, sold 6.65 to Loening Air, Boise ID | |
| TB-25J Mitchell | N2888G | 44-86872 | 3.61-1986 | purchased 3.61 ex Blue Mountain Air Service, La Grande, Oregon; stripped for parts stripped hulk at Boise 68-83 acquired .86 by Aero Nostalgia, Stockton CA for restoration for USAF Museum, Robins AFB GA | |
| TB-25N Mitchell | N9116Z | 44-29287 | by 1963 | registered to Idaho Aircraft Co by 1963, sold .63 to Arthur Siegell, Miami FL |
With thanks to nbavengers.com
International Air Applicators Inc, Riverside CA
In 1958 this operator was the first to tank a US Navy disposals Consolidated P4Y-2 Privateer for chemical spraying and fire retardant dropping. It was the largest aircraft converted for aarial application at the time and attracted a lot of interest.
Unfortunately the first Privateer tanker was destroyed while spraying near Flagstaff AZ in June 1959, but a replacement (with the same registration) was quickly put into service.
| Consolidated P4Y-2 Privateer | N6884C (1 | Bu66264 | 12.58-6.59 | | Registered 1.12.58 crashed 20.6.59 Prescott AZ while spraying |
| Consolidated P4Y-2 Privateer | N6884C (2 | Bu59701 | 7.59-10.65 | 84 | Purchased 7.59 ex Alllied Metal Industries, retardant tanks installed 8.59 as tanker #84 sold 10.65 to Rosenbalm Aviation, Medford OR |
International Air Response Inc, Chandler Memorial Airfield, 22000 South Price Road, Chandler AZ,
later Coolidge Municiple Airport AZ, later Mesa-Gateway AZ
William "Woody" Grantham, a long-time partner with Sergio Tomasoni in the large tanker operation T&G Aviation Inc at Chandler AZ, established IAR as an associate company during the 1980s. IAR offered the same range of spraying, fire attack, oil-slick dispersant and Government contract transport tasks as T&G Aviation, with company headquarters in the same office block at Goodyear Memorial Airfield, Chandler AZ.
The airfield was closed to operations in 2005.
T&G Aviation Inc built up a fleet of Douglas DC-7s used for fire attack with 3,000 gallon belly tanks. During the 1980s a number of their DC-7s had been refitted for insecticide spraying with 5,800 gallon tanks inside the fuselage. These were deployed to Africa on large scale locust plague spraying contracts. T&G acquired a number of military surplus Lockheed C-130As via the US Forestry Service from 1989, and equipped them with the removable RADS retardant delivery system. Two were operated in France on fire attack contracts.
IAR had taken over T&G Aviation's last operational DC-7 tanker N4887C by 1989, when it continued the T&G contract with the State of Alaska for the next three years, crewed by Woody Grantham, Bob Russell and Craig Hutchings based at Palmer. After a 1990 repaint in stunning Delta Airlines scheme, it continued working until retired in 1994 at IAR's new base at Coolidge AZ.
The T&G Aviation C-130A Hercules were marketed by IAR as each was brought into civil service, offering them for aerial fire fighting, spraying oil slick dispersant or chemical insecticides, heavy transport and parachuting supplies from the open rear ramp.
IAR moved from Chandler to Coolidge AZ in 2004, and moved again to Mesa-Falcon Field in 2014.
Refer in this series: Douglas County Aviation and T&G Aviation
| Douglas DC-7B | N4887C | c/n 45351 | 1988-current | 33 | Registered to T&G Aviation but operated by IAR from 1989. US Civil Register ownership tfd to IAR 5.6.02 retired Coolidge AZ 2004, sold to Delta Airlines Heritage Museum c2014, 5 year restoration at Coolidge, ferried 11.19 to Atlanta for display |
| Lockheed C-130A Hercules | N116TG | 56-0473 | 10.89-9.00 | 30 82 | Registered 2.10.89 T&G Aviation, tfd 13.10.89 to IAR op for Securite Civile, Marseille, France 93-00 crashed 6.9.00 Ardreche, Aubenas, French Alps |
| Lockheed C-130A | N117TG | 54-1631 | 10.89-current | 81 | Registered 2.10.89 T&G Aviation, tfd 13.10.89 to IAR, ferried to Kuwait 3.91 for transport contracts, returned to US later that year; fitted RADS fire attack system 7.93 by Aero Union at Chico CA as tanker #81; op for Securite Civile, Marseille, France 93-95 noted in service based Coolidge 4.07 |
| Lockheed C-130A | N118TG | 57-0512 | 1.90-current | Registered 22.1.90 T&G Aviation, tfd same day to IAR Stored in USAF markings Chandler 90/05 noted in service based Coolidge 4.07 Operated for Marine Spill Response Corp | |
| Lockheed C-130A | N131HP N126TG | 56-0534 | 8.06 (parts) | Purchased 8.06 Hawkins & Powers closing auction registered 3.07 IAR, noted Coolidge 4.07 parts removed, rereg N126TG 2.10 not operated, stripped for parts at Coolidge AZ, reg cancelled 22.5.14 | |
| Lockheed C-130A | N133HP | 57-0482 | 8.06 (parts) | Purchased 8.06 Hawkins & Powers closing auction registered 11.06 IAR, not operated, stripped for parts, stripped hulk at Coolidge by 2014 | |
| Lockheed C-130A | N131FF N125TG | 56-0530 | 3.07 parts) | Purchased 26.3.07 ex Aero Fire Fighting Service, retired Chandler AZ 96-07 in faded Securite Civile paint scheme #83, rereg N125TG 10.1.08 IAR, stripped for parts stripped hulk N131FF at Coolidge AZ by 2014 | |
| Lockheed C-130A | N132FF N121TG | 56-0511 | 3.07-current | Purchased 26.3.07 ex Aero Fire Fighting Service, operated in USAF camouflage #83. retired Chandler AZ 04-07, ferried to Coolidge where repainted white 4.07; rereg N121TG 26.3.07 IAR, current based Cardiff Wales 14-17 oil slick dispersal | |
| Lockheed C-130A | N134FF | 56-0496 | 3.07 (parts) | Purchased 26.3.07 ex Aero Fire Fighting Service, no civil conversion, stored Hemet CA 93-05 in original USAF camouflage, not operated, stripped for parts, reg cancelled 7.13 | |
| Lockheed C-130A | N138FF N119TG | 57-0520 | 3.07-current | Purchased 26.3.07 ex Aero Fire Fighting Service, retired Chandler AZ 96-07, rereg N119TG 26.3.07 IAR, current | |
| Lockheed C-130A | N120TG | 54-1638 | 2.13-current | Purchased 15.2.13 ex Digital C-130A LLC, Andalusia, Alabama |
IAR C-130A N118TG stored on a retardant-stained ramp at Chandler AZ in November 1991 still in USAF paintwork
with serial 70152 on the tail. An Allison and some parts had been removed. Photo by Geoff Goodall
with serial 70152 on the tail. An Allison and some parts had been removed. Photo by Geoff Goodall
DC-7B N4887C #33 at the Coolidge AZ IAR base in April 2004 showing its Delta Airlines paint scheme.
Photo by Ralph M. Petersen
Photo by Ralph M. Petersen
A charter air transport operator which carred out clandstine operations and crew training for the US Central Intelligence Agency from a remote former military airfield Marana AZ. From 1963 Curtiss C-46 Commandos became the standard transport used for freight, personnel, parachuting platform etc.
Among Intermountain Aviation's aircraft fleet was Boeing B-17G N809Z which had been used for CIA tasks including retrieval of agents from the low flying B-17with the Fulton Skyhook system (as used by James Bond and female friend in the movie Thunderball in 1965). It ranged as far as the North Pole in 1962 when the B-17 dropped two US agents to investigate a Soviet ice station and retrieve them three days later.
During 1969 Intermountain Aviation decided to gain more utilisation from their sole B-17 by entering the rapidly growing fire bombing field. N809Z was fitted with an internal retardant tank and delivery system, completed in July 1969 in time to go to work during that year's summer fire season. A DHC-4 Caribou N6080 (c/n 2) was acquired in June 1971 for a USFS smoke-jumpers contract before being transferred to a CIA company Tynol Associates for operation in SE Asia by Air America.
The Intermountain Aviation business was taken over effective March 1974 by Del Smith's Evergreen Helicopters of McMinnville, Oregon. Evergreen had also been engaged in special operations for US Government agencies so the acquisition of Intermountain including the Marana private airfield with all its facilities would allow Evergreen to expand its tactical contract work. In November 1975 Evergreen Helicopters Inc bought out Johnson Flying Service at Missoula MT to acquire its Supplemental Air Carrier certification and fleet of Lockheed Electras.
Del Smith, President of Evergreen then established two new subsidiaries:
Evergreen International Airlines Inc, based at Evergreen Air Centre, Marana AZ: transport charters
Evergreen Air of Montana Inc, based at Missoula MT: to operate the former Johnson utility aircraft for Government agencies.
Intermountain Aviation other aircraft:
Douglas A-26 Invader: N5001X/N800V, N5002X/N900V
Curtiss C-46 Commando: N67936, N74811, N8417C, N1698M, N5076N, N9700Z, N9761Z, N9900Z
Douglas C-47: N404D, N404U
Douglas DC-6A: N61267
DHC-4 Caribou: N6080
Lockheed PV-2 N7258C: crashed into houses 3.2.66 due engine fire on takeoff Phoenix-Sky Harbor AZ
Refer in this series: Evergreen Airlines
| Boeing B-17G | N809Z | 44-83785 | 10.62-3.75 | C22 C71 B71 71 | tfd 4.10.62 ex Atlantic General Enterprises (CIA) ex Taiwan operations, tanked at Marana 7.69 for fire attack tfd 1.3.75 to Evergreen Helicopters as tanker |
The cabin windows are a reminder of its earlier clandestine CIA transport days. Photo by Ron Olsen
N809Z at Marana February 1973 after a repaint, Evergreen Aviation name on fuselage, tanker number C71.
Photo by Dave Welch
Photo by Dave Welch
| Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina | N2846D | Bu64017 | by 1962-1963 | E87 | sold .63 to Air Tankers Inc, Seattle WA as #E87 |
Based at Sacramento Municiple Airport, later Capitol Sky Park, West Sacramento
Jenson also operated under these company names:
- Nevadair Inc, Reno NV, Box 311 Reno NV
- Nevada Cropdusters Inc, Box 311 Reno NV
- C.T.Jensen of Nevada Inc, Box 311 Reno NV
- Tonopah Air Service Inc, Tonopah Municiple Airport NV
| Charlie "Red" Jensen was a widely-known aerial agricultural operator during the 1930s to 1960s covering California and Nevada. His large fleet of sprayers and dusters were registered among the various operating company names and included heavy sprayers such as Grumman TBM Avengers and a Grumman Wildcat In 1954 he teamed up with Paul Mantz in Los Angeles to conduct he pioneering early trials of a dedicated fire bomber for the US Forestry Service using a Grumman TBM Avenger fitted with a 600 US gallon water tank constructed from plywood. As the USFS began introducing fire tankers later in the 1950s, Jensen was contracted to modify some of his cropdusting Navy N3N biplanes as fire bombers. He purchased a USAF surplus B-25 Mitchell N5262V in 1957, almost certainly with the intention of tanking it for fire attack work, but after ferrying it to his Tonopah Nevada base it was parked in the hangar for the next 27 years. By 1978 Charlie Jensen was retired at Klamath Falls Oregon and he died in 1980. An auction of his remaining 20 aircraft, spare parts and workshop equipment was held at Sacramento on 25 April 1981. It drew over 500 aviation enthusiasts and included two unairworthy Grumman Avengers - one sold to John Crocker & Mike Bogue, Oakland CA and the other to Dick Foy, Portland Oregon. |
Travelair 4000: N54129, N6297, N8132, N8715, N436N, N390M, N645H
Naval N3N: N45084, N45292, N44973, N45136
Boeing Steaman: N62911, N63519, N63594, N57441, N68824, N68825, N68826, N68828, N68829, N68830, N68832, N68833,
N68834, N68835
Vultee BT-13 N56916
Piper J-3C Cub N98804
PA-18 Super Cub N7676D
Hiller UH-12 N5334V, N7725C, N7726C
Cessna 140 N2255N
| Naval Aircraft Factory N3N | N45084 | 4497 | by 1956-1981 | E11 | operated as fire tanker 1957-1964, retired in hangar Sacramento as tanker 1964-1981 sold 4.81at auction to Dale Newton, Chico CA |
| Naval N3N | N45292 | 2728 | by 1956-1963 | E7 | operated as fire tanker 1957-1964 |
| Naval N3N | N45032 | 1933 | by 1964 | E6 | operated as fire tanker 64 |
| Grumman FM-2 Wildcat | N68843 | Bu86747 | by 1956-1974 | operated as insecticide sprayer, yellow paint scheme retired in hangar Reno NV 1960-1974 sold .74 to Ken Spiva, Tracy CA, flown out | |
| North American TB-25K Mitchell | N5262V | 44-86785 | 1.58-1975 | no civil conversion, stored in hangar Tonopah NV 1958-1975, sold .75 to Mid Pacific International Inc, Eugene OR, ferried to Oakland CA for overhaul | |
| Grumman TBM-3 Avenger | N3965A | Bu69375 | by 1963-1981 | | sold 4.81 at auction to USS Hornet Memorial, Alameda CA |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N3966A | Bu53319 | 6.58-1981 | | no civil conversion, stored in hangar Sacramento in US Navy blue "53319 RB-319" sold 4.81 at auction to Aero Union Corp, Chico CA flown out to Chico, later sold to England G-BTDP |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N3967A | Bu53835 | by 1963-1978 | sold .78 to Maynard Lund, Ritzville WA as sprayer | |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N6830C | Bu85560 | by 1963-1977 | ||
| Grumman TBM-3 | N6831C | Bu86123 | by 1962-1979 | E22 | conv. .62 to fire tanker by Jensen sold .79 to Richard Dieter & Ray Stutsman, South Bend IN, restored as warbird |
Photo by William T. Larkins
Ralph S. Johnson was an elder statesman of the US aerial application industry. A highly experienced airline captain who had been flying since 1930, he was a pioneer in heavy aircraft spraying, dusting and baiting, purchasing 22 military surplus PV-2 Harpoons in 1954. He later modified some PV-2s as fire tankers, adding A-26 and DC-4 types for firebombing.
Ralph Johnson traded as Master Equipment Co, Cheyenne WY, conducting aerial operations under the name RALCO, Cheyenne WY.
- Refer RALCO
Johnson Fying Service Inc, Missoula MT
Established in 1929 by Robert R. Johnson and incorported as an aviation business on 6 March 1929. Bob Johnson and his brother Dick Johnson developed an aviation FBO business with flying school, air taxi and maintenance. However they built up a specialist contractor role with the US Forest Service and other Government agencies, providing transport and forest fire control services to inhospitable Tall Timber regions of the Northern Rocky Mountains. This included aerial seeding and dropping parachuting "smoke jumper" fire fighters and equipment.
A diverse aircraft fleet was used pre-war, but the mainstay were Ford Trimotors which were maintained for 30 years, suffering numerous accidents on rough airstrips. Bob Johnson had a standard quote each time he was informed of the latest wrecked Trimotor "Fly the biggest piece back". The company workshops at Missoula would then commenced a rebuild from their spares and parts of other wrecked Fords.
After WWII, Forest Service work continued as the mainstay of JFS operations,. A 1948 report quoted the fleet as 2 DC-3s, 3 Ford Trimotors, Cessna T-50s, 3 Travel Air 6Bs, Curtiss Sedan, Beech F17D, Stinson 108 and for the pilot school Cessna 140s and 6 Piper Cubs.
As more military surplus aircraft became available JFS standardised on Douglas C-47s, Curtiss C-46s, Beech 18s and the survivors of the pre-war stalwarts, Ford Trimotors and Travel Air 6000s
To find year-round utilisation for its C-46s and C-47s, JFS gained Irregular Air Carrier certification and bid for US military personnel transport contracts. By 1953 two of each type were in passenger service on military charters. In January 1954 Bob Johnson announced the formation of Johnson Airlines, to initially fly scheduled DC-3 services between Seattle and Spokane via Washington State towns and fares well below current airlines. However the Washington route experiment was not a success and dropped after a month.
On December 22 that year JFS DC-3 N24320 was ditched in an icy river at night in Pennsylvania due fuel exhaustion. It was carrying 4 JFS pilots and a male cabin attendant on a US Army charter flight from Newark NJ to Tacoma WA carrying 23 soldiers on leave. 10 drowned including Captain Harold Poe who had reached shore but dived back into the water to help others. The investigation found the cause was inadequate flight planning and inadequate crew supervision and training. The Department of Defence banned JFS from its civilian air transport program for several years, the CAA considered cancelling Johnson's passenger carrying certificates, but determined the failures were primarily the actions of the pilot in command and not the company. The law suits commenced from the families of the dead passengers and the following years were difficult times for JFS.
In 1954 Hale Field closed and JFS moved to the new Missoula Airport (MSO)
The airport was named Johnson-Bell Field after Bob Johnson and civic leader Harry Bell
Meanwhile the supplemental air carrier work was expanded with the purchase of a DC-4 and Lockheed Electras operating under names Johnson Air and later Johnson International Airlines. These large transports were used to carry USFS personnel during the summer months, and general charter for the rest of the year. They brought new complexities and heavy costs for the company. In April 1975 Johnson lost their main USFS contracts to Christler Flying Service,Thermopolis WY which had underbid their price. It was a bitter blow for Bob Johns, retired and aged in his 80s, but still closely involved with his company and he wanted to sell.
On 6 October 1975 the Civil Aeronautics Board approved the sale of Johnson International Airlines to Evergreen Helicopters of McMinnville Oregon. The sale included Johnson's Supplemental Air Carrier certification and the remaining Electras. Del Smith, President of Evergreen established two new subsidiaries:
Evergreen International Airlines Inc, based at Evergreen Air Centre, Marana AZ: freight and passenger charters
Evergreen Air of Montana Inc, based at Missoula MT: to operate the former Johnson Flying Service utility aircraft for Government agencies.
Robert Roney Johnson died on 15 December 1980 in his sleep at Missoula, aged 87.
Ford Trimotors: N69905, N7861, N8400, N8407, N8419, N9612, N9642
Travel Air 6000: N464W, N447W, N655H, N8112, N9038, N9084
Beech E17: N15412
Beech AT-11: N6949C, N6950C, N75189, N8069H, N8070H
Beech 18 various models: N9327Z, N9328Z, N90290, N90291, N686Q, N119T, N36F, N452CC
Vultee BT-13 N53375
Douglas DC-2: N4867V
Douglas DC-3: N24320, N49446, N91378, N91379
Douglas DC-4: N88890
Curtiss C-46: N611Z, N74173, N9900Z, N67984, N92854, N9077R
Lockheed Electra: N7140C, N7136C, N7137C, N1006T
DHC-6 Twin Otter: N300JF
Bell 47s: N178B, N73931, N73224, N73947, N75189, N73946, N8416E, N73221, N2816A, N8414E, N8418E,
N8409E, N73269, N1325X, N78065
Bell 206 N4044G, N43HH
Grumman F6F Hellcat US Navy blue "NAVY 711" stored at JFS hangars Missoula early 50s
Numerous single-engined types: Aeronca, Navion, Piper Cub, PA-12, PA-18, PA-24, Cessnas 140 to 206
| Ford 4-AT-6 | N9612 | c/n 55 | by 1950-1969 | 2 | Used as fire tanker 1956-60 at least |
| Ford 4-AT-E | N8407 | c/n 69 | by 1950-1964 | Used as fire tanker 1956-57 at least | |
| Grumman TBM-3 Avenger | N7014C | Bu85836 | 1957-2.75 | A11 | Registered 27.3.57 to JFS ditched in lake while spraying in Maine, salvaged sold 2.75 to Evergreen AS Quebec as C-GLEP |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N7015C | Bu85854 | 1957-12.74 | D7 A7 | Registered 27.3.57 to JFS sold 12.74 to Forest Protection Ltd as C-GLEQ |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N7016C | Bu85862 | 1957-7.64 | Registered 27.3.57 to JFS crashed 20.7.64 during fire attack Beaverhead MT | |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N3249G | Bu91159 | 1959-12.74 | A14 | Registered 21.9.59 to JFS sold 12.74 to Forest Protection Ltd as C-GLEN |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N3250G | Bu91137 | 1959-9.61 | Registered 10.9.59 to JFS crashed 16.9.61 fire attack McCall D, pilot baled out | |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N3251G | Bu91938 | 1959-5.70 | A15 | Registered 16.9.59 to JFS crashed 5.70 forest spraying Dunphy NB Canada |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N6129C | Bu80390 | 1961-5.63 | Purchased .61 ex Aero Enterprises, Ekhart IN tanked .61 for fire bombing at Salem OR sold 9.5.63 to Calvin Butler, Redmond OR | |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N9597C | Bu85499 | 10.63-12.74 | D6 A6 | Purchased 10.6.63 ex Calvin Butler, Redmond OR sold 12.74 to Forest Protection Ltd as C-GLEM |
| Grumman TBF-1C | N7922A | Bu48032 | 1964-6.66 | Purchased c64 ex Idaho Aircraft Co as a tanker crashed 5.6.66 forest spraying Chipman NB Canada | |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N6824C | Bu85733 | 8.66-2.75 | A12 | Purchased 5.8.66 ex Hillcrest Aircraft sold 2.75 to Evergreen AS Quebec as C-GLEK |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N9010C | Bu53200 | 4.67-2.75 | A13 | Purchased 5.8.66 ex Hillcrest Aircraft sold 2.75 to Evergreen AS Quebec as C-GLEL |
| Grumman TBM-3 | N3969A | Bu53787 | c70-5.76 | A21 | Purchased c70 ex Edgar Thorsrud, Missoula sold 5.76 to Forest Protection Ltd as C-GFPT |
| North American B-25 Mitchell | N9088Z | 44-30733 | 12.59-12.66 | Purchased 12.59 ex National Metals, Phienix AZ tanked for fire bombing sold 12.66 to Edgar Thorsrud, Missoula MT based in Alaska as tanker #8Z | |
| Douglas A-26 Invader | N3426G | 44-35497 | 1961-11.75 | A17 17 | Acquired .61 ex trade school instructional airframe, ferried to Missoula .61 in USAF black scheme, tanked by JFS tfd 11.75 to Evergreen Air of Montana as #17 sold .77 to Lynch Air Tankers Billings MT as #56 |
| Grumman F7F-3 Tigercat | N6129C | Bu80390 | 1961-5.63 | Purchased .61 ex Aero Enterprises, Ekhart IN tanked .61 for fire bombing at Salem OR sold 9.5.63 to Calvin Butler, Redmond OR | |
| Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune | N65170 | c/n 8025 RCAF 24125 | 7.72-3.75 | A16 A17 | Purchased 7.72 ex The Flying Fireman, Victoria BC as CF-MQX ntu tanked .72 at Medford OR by Rosenbalm Aviation, Registered N65170 JFS 7.72, CofA issued 12.7.72 sold 19.3.75 to Black Hills Aviation NM |
| P2V-7 Neptune | N14447 | c/n 8010 RCAF 24110 | 3.73-3.75 | F11 | Purchased 15.3.73 ex The Flying Fireman BC CF-MQV ntu tanked .72 at Medford OR by Rosenbalm Aviation, Registered N14447 JFS 15.3.73 sold 19.3.75 to Black Hills Aviation NM |
| P2V-7 Neptune | N14448 | c/n 8013 RCAF 24113 | 3.73-3.75 | A16 | Purchased 15.3.73 ex The Flying Fireman BC CF-MQW ntu tanked .72 at Medford OR by Rosenbalm Aviation Registered N14448 JFS 15.3.73 sold 19.3.75 to Black Hills Aviation NM |
insecticide on forests to combat timber pest outbreaks. Photo by W.E. Steuerwald/USFS
Johnson TBM N7014C tanker #A11 being flown by Ray Green
A candid picture of Johnson Flying Service TBM tanker pilots on a job at Bozeman MT: from left
Jack Hughes who later became company President, Elwood "Swede Nelson, Ken Roth, Bob Culver
Photo by Tom Baillie at Missoula, September 1968
Johnson's DC-2 N4867V had earlier also been used to spray insecticide on forests. This view at Helena MT in July 1956
shows the under-wing spraybars and pilot Kenny Roth wearing his crash helmet. Photo by W.E. Steuerwald/USFS
shows the under-wing spraybars and pilot Kenny Roth wearing his crash helmet. Photo by W.E. Steuerwald/USFS
The DC-2's cabin in 1956 fitted with three liquid insecticide tanks
giving 1,200 gallons capacity. Photo by W.E. Steuerwald/USFS
giving 1,200 gallons capacity. Photo by W.E. Steuerwald/USFS
USAF surplus Beech C-45H N9328Z at Missoula in 1968 was one of many Twin Beech models used by Johnson
Aerial spraying company operated by James L. Shipley. Douglas A-26 Invaders were used from the early 1960s and at least one was equipped as a fire tanker.
Callair A1 N9959C
Callair A9 N2929G
PA-25 Pawnee: N6956Z, N6969Z
PA-28 Cherokee N9015J
Cessna 150 N7853E
| Douglas A-26 Invader | N3427G | 44-35425 | c1964-6.73 | B27 A28 | purchased ex Pacific Flight Services, Angwin CA sold 27.6.73 to Lynch Air Tankers, Billings MT |
| Douglas A-26 | N4060A | 44-34102 | c1967-6.73 | | purchased ex John M. Sliker,Wadley GA sold 27.6.73 to Lynch Air Tankers, Billings MT |
| Douglas A-26 | N7662C | 44-34724 | c1967-6.70 | purchased ex Pacific Flight Services, Angwin CA sold 6.70 to Dontuss Industries, Edmonton ALTA Canada as a tanker, to CF-BVH | |
| Douglas A-26 | N3711G | 43-22620 | 2.68-2.72 | purchased 16.2.68 ex John M. Sliker,Wadley GA sold 2.72 to Air Spray Ltd, Edmonton ALTA as a tanker, to CF-EZX |
Photo by Jay L. Sherlocko
Refer: Aero Enterprises, Fresno CA
Kinney Aviation was established in mid 1970s at Glendive Airport as an aerial agricultural business by Bruce R. Kinney, Richey MT.
Specialised in large acerage spraying using Naval N3N biplanes with 450hp P&W R-985 radials and 220 gallon spray tanks, also Cessna 188s and Callair B-1s.
Kinney Air Tankers commenced fire tanker operations in 1975 with a single Boeing B-17 tanker.
From 1979 Kinney built up a substantial tanker fleet in a commercial association with Bill Dempsay's Central Air Services. Aircraft and services were transferred between the two operations. PV-2 Harpoons were used for spraying as well as fire bombing. The largest tanker, Douglas DC-7B N823D was destroyed on the ground at Glendive by a suspicious overnight fire, rumoured to have been carried out by a disgruntled dismissed pilot. Despite police invesigations, nobody was ever charged witharson.
Kinney operated in association with ShelIey I.Verschoot, Richey MT trading as Custom Farm Service, Richey MT to whom ownership of Cessna Agwagons and several PV-2 Harpoons were transferred for periods. However the aircraft remained in service with Kinney at Glendive. Kinney's business arrangement with Shelley Verschoot and her busband was later terminated in acrimonious circumstances.
A local report says that Bruce Kinney was in regular conflict with the Glendive Airport commission and Dawson County over unauthorised building extentions to his hangars and chemical spills in the ground where his spray aircraft were loaded each season. Kinney stated in 1981 that he owned only one aircraft and all the rest were leased from other operators. Eventually in 1984 Dawson County brought in the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to dig out the contaminated area on the airfield at Kinney's expense. Kinney was refused a lease renewal on his Glendive Airport hangars and office also his chemical spraying operations were banned at both Glendive or Richey airports.
As a result, in 1984 Bruce Kinney established a new partnership with Dennis Hill of Missoula MT to form Dawson Aviation of Montana Inc, Richey MT with Cessna Agwagons for agricultural spraying and PV-2s for large-acreage spraying including grasshopper swarm eradiction. Under Hill's name Dawson Aviation was able to lease a hangar and recommence operations at Glendive Airport, although Kinney was still very much in charge. Dawson Aviation was dissolved during 1986. The final heavy tanker to depart Glendive was PV-2 N7670C purchased by John Hirth duing 1987, which he flew out that year. John and his wife Connie had been flying and maintaining PV-2s at Glendive for several years but now went out on their own: refer Hirth Air Tankers.
1987 found Bruce Kinney flying his own PA-36 Pawnee Brave with a new Glendive ag spraying operator Don Orwick who took over the Dawson Aviation hangar for his Cessna Agtrucks. Bruce Kinney moved away from Glendive in 1988 and soon after was killed in a collision between a Grumman AgCat and a Bull Thrush while spraying in Idaho.
A Glendive aviator who watched the Bruce Kinney period wrote recently "Sadly, the only evidence to suggest there was once a mighty fleet of airtankers and large acreage sprayers based here is an old main wheel off a PV-2 and bent tin on Kinney’s former hangar where the pilot of an A-26 ran the right wingtip into the corner."
Kinney Air Tankers reformed as Dawson Aviation from 1984
| Boeing B-17G Fortress | N9323R | 44-85828 | 12.75-5.78 | 37 | Purchased 12.75 ex Aero Flite, Cody WY #37 sold 18.5.78 to Aircraft Specialties, Mesa AZ |
| Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon | N6657D | Bu84062 | 2.79-11.85 | 101 | tfd 26.2.79 ex Central Air Service #101 tfd .81 to Custom Farm Service, Richey MT tfd 1.7.85 to Dennis Hill, Richey MT tfd 30.9.85 to Dawson Aviation, Richey MT (operated on grasshopper spraying contracts) sold 11.85 to Teske's Aviation, Twin Falls ID |
| Lockheed PV-2 | N6853C | Bu37159 | 10.79-6.87 | 176 | tfd 10.79 ex Bill Dempsay/D&D Aerial Spraying, Rantoul KS as sprayer grasshopper spraying North Dakota and Oregon tfd 4.2.81 to Dempsay/Central Air Service tfd 6.5.81 ex CAS tfd 12.5.85 to Dennis Hill, Richey MT tfd 3.12.85 to Central Air Service, Rantoul KS (modified .85-86 to fire tanker #176) tfd 3.6.87 ex Central Air Service sold 4.6.87 (next day) to Quarry Products CA |
| Lockheed PV-2D | N6651D | Bu37537 | 2.81-1984 | 103 | tfd 26.2.81 ex Central Air Service #E40 tfd 2.84 to Custom Farm Service, Richey MT sold .84 Gary Larkins CA for US Navy Museum |
| Lockheed PV-2 Howard Cargo Harpoon | N7428C | Bu37262 | 6.84-12.84 | - | Purchased 1.6.84 as impounded rug runner Florida, sold 1.12.84 to Richard Mitchell, Broussard LA for restoration as warbird Fat Cat |
| Lockheed PV-2 | N7261C | Bu37107 | 1986 | - | leased .86 ex RALCO as sprayer |
| Lockheed PV-2 | N7670C | Bu37472 | 1986-87 | leased ex Arbor Air, Columbus NE: sprayer purchased .87 by John Hirth, Buffalo WY | |
| Douglas DC-7B | N823D | c/n 45332 | 2.81-5.82 | 110 | tfd 23.2.81 ex Central Air Service #101 destroyed by fire 1.5.82 on ground Glendive MT |
| Douglas A-26 Invader | N5544V | 44-35552 | 6.81-2.85 | 104 | tfd 6.81 ex Central Air Service #104 sold 20.2.85 to Duane Sly, Platte SD for museum |
| Douglas A-26 | N74874 | 44-34508 | 6.81-c87 | 107 | tfd 6.81 ex Central Air Service #107 tfd 1.8.00 to Bill Dempsay, Rantoul KS |
| Douglas A-26 | N3428G | 44-35523 | 6.81-7.85 | 108 | tfd 6.81 ex Central Air Service #108 left gear collapsed landing Dubois PA 2.6.82 tfd 2.84 to Custom Farm Service, Richey MT tfd 5.7.85 to Central Air Service, Rantoul KS |
| Douglas C-54Q | N96454 | Bu56531 | 1984 | 105 | leased from Central Air Service for 1984 season |
Photo by Geoff Goodall
Photo by Dick Phillips
engineer Rusty Shoemaker, pilots John and Connie Hirth, Bruce Kinney. Photo:Byron Sunwall
Peter Marson collection
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Kreitzberg Aviation Inc was formed in the mid 1950s by George F. Kreitzberg, Salem OR
An associate company was Kreitzberg Aviation Sales Co, Salem OR
In 1956 he purchased a number of Navy surplus Grumman F6F Hellcats which he equipped for forest spraying.
Kreitzberg pioneered the use of Grumman F7F Tigercats for aerial application in 1957 when he purchased the first of five F7Fs from US Navy disposals at Litchfield Park storage airfield, Arizona. He initially put several into service on a contract to spray sagebrush in eastern Oregon, fitted with large 500 gallon insecticide tanks under each wing. One was modified for fire attack, using the same underwing tanks but with a redesigned dump doors. Convinced that the F7F could be developed into an effective fire bomber, Kreitzberg teamed up with Robert Stevenson of Cal-Nat Airways, Grass Valley CA, to design, test and certify internal and belly retardant tanks of 800 or 900 gallons capacity. The partnership is reported to have purchased a total of 16 Grumman F7F-3s which became the source for most Tigercat tankers.
When the drop system was approved, Kreitzberg Aviation built the tanks for other F7F operators.
Kreitzberg held the FAA type certificate approval for civilianised Grumman F7Fs.
During the 1960s he withdrew from fire bombing, reportedly frustrated by increasing federal restrictions.
Vultee BT-13 N75789
PA-18 Super Cub N8561C
Cessna 150 N6498T
Cessna 172 N7343T
Cessna 180 N6567A
NA T-28A Trojan N2891G
| Grumman F7F-3 Tigercat | N7195C | Bu80532 | 10.57-1963 | | Ferried 10.57 to Salem ex NAS Litchfield Park AZ, fitted for spraying, testflown Salem 10.8.58, converted to fire tanker 5.60 sold 2.7.60 to Scotts Valley Flying Service, Etna CA as a fire tanker |
| Grumman F7F-3 | N6129C | Bu80390 | 1958-5.59 | Ferried c58 to Phoenix AZ ex Litchfield Park, civil conversion sold 26.5.59 to Wayne B. Fowler, Shaw Island WA as a spayer | |
| Grumman F7F-3 | N6178C | Bu80483 | 1958-64 | | sold .64 to Cal-Nat Airways CA as tanker #E43 |
| Grumman F7F-3 | 18 | unidentified tanker, crashed near Sacramento CA | |||
| Douglas A-26 | N74874 | 44-34506 | by 1963-67 | F74 | sold c67 to Rosenbalm Aviation OR as tanker #F74 |
| Douglas A-26 | N8026E | 44-35323 | c1963-67 | sold c67 to Aero Flite OR as tanker #C55 |
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