This immaculate Tracker is the very first Marsh Turbo Tracker. It was converted in 1998, and registered to the CDF as N422DF on 30 Aug 2001. It is the third Tracker to use that registration. The first one was c/n 017 (1974-1985) and the second one was c/n 212 (1985-1998).

After more than 30 years of faithful firefighting service (9,952 flying hours), the CDF transferred this nice little airtanker to the Columbia Airport Authorities on 7 Apr 2006, for display at their airport. Tanker 76 is located on the remote side of the runway, hence this distant and somewhat heat-hazed shot.

Nice elevated view from the control tower, with Tracker N435DF parked behind.

Elevated view from the control tower. This is the second Tracker to carry this registration. The first one was c/n 410 (1974-1985), but it never saw active service as such. On 1 Feb 2000 the registration was allocated to the this Tracker.

Elevated view from the control tower. This is the second Tracker to carry this registration. The first one was c/n 656 (1974-1985), but it never saw active service as such. On 1 Feb 2000 it was allocated to the this Tracker.

This unknown Huey has been a ground trainer at the Hemet-Ryan airtanker base since about 2002-2003. It is widely quoted as UH-1F N490DF (c/n 7108), or as UH-1H N490DF (c/n 12375), but it is neither. It has a long cabin (i.e. a UH-1D or UH-1H), so the short-cabin UH-1F c/n 7108 can be ruled out. And UH-1H N490DF was still operational with Cal Fire by 2018, as Tanker 205.
The only known facts are that in 2003 this ground trainer still carried "Vina Helitack" titles, and tanker number 205. The long cabin means it must be a UH-1D or most likely a UH-1H. And it operated as "Copter 205" for the Vina Helitack before 2003. Suggestions most welcome!

This Tracker never served as an airtanker, and was never officially registered. It is an S2F-1, ex BuA136745, which was delivered to the Japanese Navy on 12 Mar 1959 as 4146. In Oct 1983 it was acquired by Hemet Valley Flying Service as a spares aircraft and stored at at the Hemet-Ryan airtanker base. In 2001 it was restored and placed on display as a memorial. The text on the memorial plaque reads: "Dedicated in memory of Lloyd M. Venable - A pioneer in the aviation industry - Founder of Hemet Valley Flying Service - 1946. Born Oct 3, 1906 - Died Feb 1, 1991."

Third Tracker to carry this registration. First one was c/n 052 (1974-1984), and the second one was c/n 445 (1986-2002). This third one, a Turbo Tracker, took it up on 9 Oct 2003.

Third Tracker to carry this registration. First one was c/n 052 (1974-1984), and the second one was c/n 445 (1986-2002). This third one, a Turbo Tracker, took it up on 9 Oct 2003.

Collided with another tanker near Hopland, California, on August 27, 2001.Both it and N450DF were destroyed.

Late May 2010, a large forest fire took place in the south of Kern County (CA), near Highway 5. This former US Navy S-2F (ex Bu149854) was one of the aerial firefighters.

Registration cancelled in 2001. Scrapped

This is a very well equipped fire fighting helicopter. Fire season is just around the corner and she is ready.

Tanker 100 will soon be prepared for the coming fire season in California.

Aircraft is ex JMSDF 4146