Some great discussions going on in the comments. Some notes to add, even if we get the plane down quickly we would still need time for paperwork and contracts so best case would be working for the beginning of the next fire season (in sept 2020)?). But most important we would have to team up with an Australian company with boots on the ground already to start lobbying the government to see if we are even aloud to be there and if they would want us. The Aircraft are already 100% certified in Canada from a Paperwork stand point. (Of course we would need to upgrade some items as new stuff has came out in the last 5 years). But the Technology in the tank design is the very same that is being used today in the Electra. The cost per liter for the DC-4 would be it’s best selling point as that’s its big advantage over the bigger aircraft. The DC-4 could also stay in Australia forever if needed, saving the wasted money on ferrying the aircraft back to North America each year when the season is over. Also because they would stay it would create jobs in Australia as well. As all maintenance will be done there. So the real hurdle is actually from Buffalo’s stand point, do we commit and make the decision to take the steps to make the aircraft available, because that is the first step.
Hello from Canberra Australia. Thank you so much for thinking of us . We've had really bad fires around the entire eastern side of the country for the last 8 weeks, it's been really bad as you know, but today was an especially terrible day. We've just had news that 3 brave US crew have tragically been killed in a C-130 fire-bomber that has crashed about 100 miles from here. We've had so much support from around the world and it has filled us with hope and love, but today our hearts are breaking for the families and friends of those 3 brave men who have given their lives helping us get through these fires. The people of our country will never forget the ultimate sacrifice that these courageous men have made. Bless you all. James
Genuinely appreciate the thought. Maybe a little late in the season to be economically and logistically viable. Will buy your crew a round of beers if your ever down here.
As a grateful Aussie, may I express my profound condolences to the family and friends of the crew who were lost when their AC went done. God Bless them all.
As an Australian, I can tell you that the people of Australia would welcome you and your aircraft with open arms. However it is the Government Monolith, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority that you would have to convince to certify the aircraft for operations here.
@@Lemon0Tart CASA is a truly horrible organisation. Nothing more than high paid public servants who sit around all day working out how to make life more difficult for pilots, engineers, flight schools, GA operators and every other small-mid sized aviation related business or entity.
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........your government is busy burning Australia....if you think they are looking for help...send more arsonists.
@mad ass Unfortunately Central Scrutinizer is right. Our coal loving prime minister spent most the crisis sipping cocktails in Hawaii and was dragged home kicking and screaming. Skipped meetings with firefighting chiefs before the fire and instead went on a tour in an attempt to shake hands. Well jokes on everyone I guess because nobody is shaking anyone's hand anymore.
And as everyone knows Australian beurocrats learned how to place Byzantinely complicated paper shuffling and the need for well filled brown envelopes as a necessary adjunct to accomplishing anything useful in Australia from the Turks at Gallipoli!
As an Aussie here in Victoria, I really appreciate your plans. Possibly a little late for the main onslaught but we have a long summer still ahead of us. If it doesn’t work for this year, please get some gear ready to go by late Oct so it can be a go for next season! Would be fantastic to see an Qantas machine helping out too....that could gain a lot of traction with media and make it a more sustainable plan!
Iowarail we used to but the green the lefties stoped the fuel burn offs in our bushland that’s why the fires are so bad Because of so much fuel on the ground and our shit government dosnt think it’s feasible to have large water bombers we do have air tractors and helicopters but it’s just not enough America sent over one of there aircrafts but it crashed 3 Americans lost there life’s helping us very sad day here
Hi Mikey: I grew up in Edmonton but have lived in Brisbane since 1991. NSW has been badly hit by this fires and any help has been appreciated. Earlier this week 3 American firefighters lost their lives when their C-130 crashed. Yes, they could use another aircraft and I'm sure your offer has some merit. Here are a some issues: this is a WW2 era aircraft and maintenance may be difficult. The C-130 recently lost is an aircraft still in widespread use. The next issue is the range and service ceiling. This would require taking a hop and skip route across the pacific. Wikipedia shows the route taken during WW2. Very likely over the Alutiean Island, landing in Japan and then towards PNG to refuel again and then onto NSW. Of course being cleared to land in these place may raise some other problems. Next comes import/ export issues: What regulations are required to fly an emergency aircraft in Australia? The C-130 mentioned was under lease which is why it was flown by American pilots. Today on the news; the 9 Alberta firefighters that came here to help are now on their way back to Canada. This may be a way to get some answers: some of the coordination of this crisis response rests at the State/Provincial level. May I suggest that you start there. Good Luck. Arnie.
@@harpoon_bakery162 the DC4 has a lot more range(double assuming ferry) and a 10% higher cruising speed. And id suspect it could take a more direct route over open water? Still a long way to go in an unpressurised aircraft of course. How long did it take to recover from such a journey Ryan?
Mikey you will not rest until this is done,this is not just about getting a DC-4 airworthy again but a humanitarian operation that will help greatly in slowing gown these awful fires in Australia and above all in saving lives,such a capable aircraft that still has plenty of life in it and you have them in your fleet ! I think this is a great idea and just has to be done,international relations and help is much needed at this time and this could be another great chapter in the aircrafts history. Incidenly I love the way you embrace animals into your lives at Buffalo,they give us so much for so little,just look at the way that treasured animal jumps on Joes lap,simply wonderful.
From what I’ve read, I think that if the DC-4 was to come down under, it should come to Tasmania, we have some pretty large fires burning in remote locations and only one fixed-wing tanker, an Air Tractor AT-802, and are in need of something a bit larger
We have just had some soaking rain here in Sydney but today (Saturday 18th January 2020, 0704 local 2004 UTC) is starting to blue up and the heat will soon return. I have friends in the North of the state that desperately need assistance. There is an airfield close by that would be more than capable to service the aircraft at Palmers Island (YPLI, uncontrolled) and another large controlled field at Coffs Harbour (YCFS). If you need aircrew I will be happy to volunteer. I keep my little plane at Warnervale (YWVA) and can either fly up or drive up and bring my camper.
Mikey, I have been fighting the fires in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains. There is plenty of water and access for the CL215’s to operate out of lake Eucumbene, right in the heart of the fires. No retardant needed, just tonnes of water ... the fires will still be burning in weeks to come and there are other areas such as the Brisbane Waters at Gosford where it is protected and they could be based. We can’t wait for the fires to keep burning out the bush and we can’t stop them. Come on, let’s get your team here!!
CL-215''s, -215T's, and -415's could all be put to good use. Fighting big fires like these is why we built them, and the scoop & drop cycle has proven itself time and again. Several provinces own their own fleet, and those aircraft are operated on a lease basis. I would think those aircraft could also be looked at - availability would be similar. Getting there in a -215 would not be half the fun - that's a very long haul at prop-driven speeds, but once they were there. . . time to go to work! Lake Eucumbene would be a good location for scooping, and as you say, there are other places elsewhere in the country. The DC-4's could lay down retardant for containment, as the Evergreen birds are already doing so well, then the Canadairs (their nickname in many places around the Med) could knock things back. This is something we know how to do, and something we could do. I was told (pretty rudely) that I "knew nothing about fighting the kind of fires we have" (in New South Wales) 38 years ago. I knew that was b.s. then, and I haven't changed my opinion. The crews who fly them could size up the situation, and whether this would be workable, pretty darn quick. If they say it's practical, then only fools would ignore it.
Roger Dickinson Hi Roger, I don’t know of a direct contact for the Air Desk. Ring NSW RFS Headquarters on +61 2 8741 5555 and explain what you want and they should put you through. Also contact the National Aerial Firefighting Cente +61 3 9418 5252 naff.org.au.
Roger Dickinson Sorry Roger, the RFS HQ phone number would be your best contact that I know of. All help would be welcomed ... exhaustion and fatigue has already set in!!
We would love to see the Buffalo colours in our skies. We currently have over 400 available air asset's available country wide, but it still doesn't seem enough.
We would greatly appreciate your help Mikey, the fires are a state government issue, in Victoria the CFA or NSW the RFS are the authorities. The longest leg for the ferry is California to Hawaii after that it is island hopping to the eastern coast 2 big days probably we will have cold beer waiting. Love your vids
i think it is a great idea! The worst thing you can do to an old airplane is not fly it. Get them in the hanger, do some airframe inspections, run compression checks, do what you have to do to get them firefighter ready and hit the road. I also like the idea of long range tanks, the pacific is no place to run out of fuel, and it is possible that you might have to divert landing sites due to weather. I am not familiar with weather patterns in that part of the world, but it will be changing seasons and that always can bring big changes to weather. Better to be fat and happy if you have to divert a thousand miles
Amazing, Mikey! Just think back to your very first episode of Plane Savers and look at all the people who have connected with you all over the world. And now a world wide mission is a possibility. Incredible. What a bunch of knowledge the Buffalo team has. I am sure you are in the midst of thinking this thing through. Good luck on whatever decision you guys make. Hi to all from the Arrowhead of Minnesota.
A DC-4 flight across the pacific would be epic! Based on how bad it’s in Australia, they probably need a whole fleet of your DC-4 water bombers a month or two ago. Also, I understand that their summer fire season is usually over by March or April... a bit late based on your mobilization schedule. You could be ready for the 2020/21 fire season.
If it's doable with the paper work, why not? They're just sitting anyways. Areospace at the intro is spelled wrong, collector items maybe? if they're made already. The flypast at the begining is so raw and sounded so great on the speakers.
Do it Mikey!!!! Australia and alot of other folks will more then appreciate your efforts. Show the world what Buffalo Airways is capable of! (new T-shirt/sticker/button idea, a DC4 with a smile and a wink and the caption " What CAN'T Buffalo Airways do!" Just say'n....) Also thank you again Mikey for being the outstanding story teller and presenter that you have become. I always come away learning something new and appreciate that. The very best to you on getting DC-4s and anything/everyone else supporting over to Australia. You know that the Plane Savers family has got your back!
Could two DC-4's be sent? Assuming fuel availability is not an issue, that would give more in-the-air coverage time, and also backup in the event one has to be temporarily out of service for an engine change or whatever. Back in the day, there were a couple of local operators who flew DC-3's around to the various sheep and cattle stations, carrying freight and mail as well as a few passengers. So there were quite a few small airstrips spotted all around the place. With truck access to most of these now in place, bringing in fuel tanker trucks should not be an issue. Water supply - pretty thin in some places that are not close to open water and have limited supply from wells (bores as they used to be called). Maybe their armed forces have some of the portable fuel bladders that can be dropped (folded) from a Herc, and then filled. Each can be filled with one or more small motor pumps and hold (I think) up to 20,000 litres. It would cost a bomb, but it would be worthwhile. When I was working there in 1982-83, I talked to some people I met who were in the NSW state government about having Canadian water bombers come down in our "off" season, but the concept wasn't persuasive enough, I guess. I still think it would be a game-changer for them.
The word we're getting down here from the Government is that the Canadian fire fighting aircraft 'are stuck in a freezing winter and can't make it'. ANY firebombing assets heading our way would be greatly appreciated Mickey!! Oh yeah - the 737/MD11/BAe 146s currently on the fire line are fabulous, but the sound of four radials will boost morale no end :)
From what we hear on the radio they are getting rain over in Australia but not sure if it is enough to put the fires out or at least slow them up. Just a shame people have lost so much already let alone the wild life lost, but I would think getting a DC 4 there would be of great value if it was at all possible. Look forward to see how it all pans out. All the very best to each of the Plane saving crew.
I hope its not to late but that is why I love planes and plane people.They care ..It is a war but not brother on brother.The folk downunder can do with every bit of help they can get.My son is in Australia now since one year and he is so moved by what is happening.In tears he was...So Mikey...give new meaning to the word "Plane Savers".
I’m late to the party with Ice Pilots and Plane Savers, but I love the work you guys are doing. As an Australian, I love that you guys were even thinking about something like this! I spent a lot of the 2019/20 summer at my local airport, here in Canberra, our capital, watching the 10 Tanker DC-10’s, and Coulson’s Herc’s. Thankfully, since this video, we’ve had very mild summers, with lots of rain, so we’ve been okay, but the droughts will return, and so will the fires. I’d love to see Buffalo around in the future, if that were possible.
I'd rather be riding hahaha yeah right Australian coal mines but run by international company’s that don’t give a shit bout Australia only about lining there own pockets but I guess they could to make them look better
One thing about the 'splainer. If you're going to fly to Australia you're going to have to land upside down. Fortunately they've arranged for gravity to pull up toward the ground there, so after you flip the plane over it will seem just about like landing rightside up. But you have to flip those planes upside down on yer 'splainer there.
Very cool video! I love the sound of the airplane as its flying low and right past the camera. It would be a lot of work but it's a great thing to help the Australians. Start a crowd funding to offset the costs.....I'm sure ALOT of people would be introduced to Plane Savers AND....us watchers could help contribute as well.
Mikey, I just started watching and STOPPED at the 2:20 mark to say, "Yes! Take Tanker 02 to Australia." Our brothers and sisters Down Under need help. May the flames down under fear the roar of the DC-4's thunder! If there was a way possible I would love to crew on the trip.
Wow, you guys really are like International Rescue :-) F.A.B and thanks for thinking of us. If you make it, a carton or 3 of Kempsey's finest Bucket Brewery Pail Ale is on me
Dare to dream Mikey..... You have the equipment, you have the knowledgeable people, and you have all the expertise to blend the two together. All it needs from where I'm sitting is for the Aussie government to pick the phone up and say GO! GO! GO!. I've really enjoyed watching this the DC4 footage again, and I hope this dream comes to fruition. Seeing DC4s in the air again would be great, but seeing them saving lives and people's homes and businesses would be truly awesome. There sure is a dire need for them in Australia right now, and they are just sitting idle on the ground...
@@yarpos Are you blind? Have you not seen, and read about the total devastation to homes, farms and deaths of millions of native animals and birdlife? These fires are still not out. That's desperate!! Some people help because there is genuine need ------ they don't have to be begged on bended knee.
Interesting proposal Mikey. I'm here in Australia. The government made big promises to bring in more large fire tankers about 4 weeks ago, but none have arrived yet. We are being told that the aircraft that may do the job are frozen in and not able to be flown out. It is true or just an excuse?
as a cfa fire fighter in victoria its only the start of our season and we are getting slammed !! please plane savers we could use all the help we can get and as a plane savers junkie i would love to see a dc4 raining retardent down on us how about it folks ! from one group of volenters to another group of grate plane saving people please help John kinglake cfa
Hello again , Old fart skydiver from San Diego again.Yes I jumped a DC4 a few times. The first time was crazy. A pilot that had never flown jumpers before took us up. On jump run the pilot is suppose to slow the plane down for us to get out. that didn't happen.There was no flaps put out, no cut of the inside engine so at about 150 knots and power on ,the spotter said clear to go. two of us went out the door like hitting concrete we were blown down the side of the plane and then hit by the biggest prop wash ever and spun like a flat rock on water. I have more crazy plane stories for the future
I just opened the video and heard that some DC-4 could fly again... This made me have goosebumps, I never thought that this would happened anymore. Just go for it, this would be amazing for Australia and for the aviation history. This sounds almost magical for me who would love to see a DC-4 getting back in the sky
I had wondered if this would happen a few weeks ago. Im not from Aus but across the ditch and by sounds of it, its the worse season they have had with bushfires along with huge numbers of wildlife killed as well of course human life has been lost. I think also you could do some T-shirt sales (DC4 dropping water relief image) for help funding this as well as direct donations or as someone suggested GoFundMe. Also i think someone with some camera skills (stick a go-pro underneath plane and in cockpit as well) could go along with the crew and film every aspect of the mission; prepping and planning stage, getting over there and doing the work- might inspire some other companies out there with a Firefighting DC4 or similar to send one of theirs as well. These DC4 Firefighting videos (maybe a sister channel to Planesavers for a time) could have donate links (plus others set up in Aus for helping those now homeless because of the fires) with each episode so others not from the Planesavers community might know about it and help donate for supporting the DC4 and possibly another if funding really pours in. I think it would be interesting viewing behind the scenes of this type of firefighting from above, resupplying water for another run and coordinating with ground crew where to dump the next lot etc. Also any YT advertising rev could go towards funding the operation, every bit helps.
There's a really great CL-215 t-shirt that used to be available - not sure about the present day. My dad got hold of one in 1988 when he was getting ready to go for "conversion training" to fly the CL-215 (Unfortunately, I don't have it). In Plane Savers Season I, we see Pierre wearing one a few times - (eg. Plane Savers, Episode 134, May 15, 2019, at time 18m 07s th-cam.com/video/sz25zL46fFk/w-d-xo.html ) It was a great picture for a shirt, and really showed off that aircraft. Now, if _that_ shirt could be put into the "Savers" store, I bet it would sell like there was no tomorrow.
When I was a kid we lived in Makakilo on Oahu, we were just a couple miles outside of Barbers Point Naval Air Station, and there were couple C54 (DC-4's) squadrons parked there at Barbers Point, was awesome watching them taking & landing off Barbers Point.
Hay Mikey, here I am post shoulder surgery and with the flue and you go get my juices flowing with the DC4 flying, you need anyone who has experience working on them and offbase operation give me a holler. I AM IN !!!!!!! I get to reunite with at least BNV one of my old birds from the 80's.
You'd be better off getting a beriev Be200c twin turbofan flying boat it should carry more water than a DC4 plus being a flying boat it could fill it's water tanks by conducting a touch and go on the ocean! Plus being Russian it could be a cheaper lease than an old war bird and judging from a previous video from this group about the Basler Turbo prop the Beriev's Turbo fans will use cheaper Jet A1 fuel as opposed to the expensive high octane fuel required for a vintage warbird like a DC4! Being a newer aircraft the Beriev 200C will probably be more reliable and easier to get parts for speaking from experience here trying to keep B747s(classics and 400s) most of the spares came from Aircraft parked up in the Desert so having received said part you need to carry out a full calibration function test on every part received in accordance with the Maintenance Manual going to that level of testing can take time which on the Ramp you tend not to have a lotvof! Some problems can be the sourcing of the testcequipment if I could recover from the stroke I had in 2004(unlikely)I'd be back tomorrow however the continual retirement of Jumbos will probably put paid to that.
As an Australian, plane savers fan and Ice pilots fan I thank you for thinking of us down here! Would be proud as punch to look up at a Buffalo Airways flying over head!
If it was up to me I would say come on down. If the fire season here progresses as it has done so far then we need all the help we can get. The hard bit is securing that contract.. Dare I say it but some states will likely privately contract aircraft and crew from the states for the 2020/21 season. Tasmania would be the perfect spot for your CL 215's! Keep those videos coming 👍
You're a good man for thinking of this, Mikey! First thing that comes to my mind is cost, but I'm sure it's doable with the solid company you guys have got there. What a great video series that would be! Would help alot of our Aussie brothers out as well. 👍🍻
That would truly be something Mikey. If you need volunteers I'm up for the that. Thank you for another great video. All the the best to the Buffalo Airways crew and your dad especially. I was an Aviation Ordinanceman. Vietnam era US Navy. Obviously in love with airplanes but that's another story. Blue skies and tailwinds guys from West Coast Florida. "Keep 'em flyin".
As a long term project for the next Aussie Fire season ,Yes. This Fire season should under normal circumstances run down by the middle to end of March. The Australian Government has hired 4 more large Aerial Firefighting Aircraft and they are on their way here now. We have had some rain over the last few days and this has slowed down the intensity of the fires in a number of areas. I think if Buffalo Airways is really interested in participating in the Australian fire season, I think they should enter into discussions with either the Australian Federal Government, or the individual State Governments, such as the Victorian Government or the New South Wales Government , the Queensland Government etc. At the moment the State Governments are responsible for firefighting in their own States, they get considerable financial and other support from the Federal Goverment. As a long term project I think it has great merit, but probably too late for this Fire season.
@Mikey McBryan Nice offer but the fires are currently under control, excepy North NSW and Late February our summers over. Not to mention we have not had scrub fires we have had fire storms some trees still have the canopy tops as the fires burned all the ground fuel left from 10 years of Labour and the Greens stopping cattle and winter burning and loggers maintaining fire breaks. so even the planes we have could NOT fight some fires due to the smoke, only ones going up at one point had Doppler Radar.
Well if I owned the Hawaiian waterbomber I’d fly that over there in a heartbeat it’s kind of like a no brainer answer because the Australian government would probably reimburse the cost of getting the aircraft over there on use.
No way Jose, Australia will not reimburse anyone for anything. You or the general public are probably not even allowed in the country or anywhere close to the fire except the approved volunteer firemen.
You would be flying in to as much a political firestorm as one of nature. Our federal government ignored warnings that we would need additional large fire air tankers this fire season as all that has happened was predicted by relevant fire, forestry and weather experts. The federal government is now hurriedly trying to lease more aircraft - there was a report yesterday that some possible aircraft are not available because they are ' frozen in Canada'. Some other comments here on UTube have said that the rains are now putting fires out. Three factors here - our fire season lasts until late March, with February being historically the most dangerous month - the current rain is mainly a result of Monsoon activity in Northern Australia and fire weather conditions will return to many areas next week - rain is not universal across all current fires and is dampening but not extinguishing the major fires. Where I live fire threat is ever present in summer - so far only minor fires. One yesterday was 20km south of us and was/is one of four in the Otway Ranges/Great Ocean Rd area. So Mickey the DC4 would be very welcome - but I hope to never see it flying low over our property.
I'm in Australia, and have been through many a bush fire, we should take all your fighter planes, with the way the climate is changing, make it a permanent yearly thing. ?
Last night we were notified on all news networks that we lost 3 Americans and there plane fighting the fires in southern NSW in Australia. These guys had the same ideas and passion to help that you speak about. We are etrnaily greatful for their committment but so very sad that these men can not go home to their families. Please be careful when you do come as we want you to go home safe. We hope to see you next fire season. Kindest Regards
Ok Mikey, I have only worked with the DC-3. My guess is, you would need to also ship or load In enough spares to build another plane. Two to 3 QEC’s am extra set of props. Starters, oil oilers, generators, jugs hydraulics, breaks, Etc. Not to mention the jacks and stands to maintain it.Does Australia have enough 100LL TO FEED A DC-4 for several hundred hours? Have you worked up a cost estimate to fly it down and support it for an extended period of time? Would it end up staying in Australia, like the one you left down here in central Florida? Did Australia show an interest? Bottom line, would it be cheaper to run per acre of extinguished fire, than other options? How do they decide the budget of aerial fire support? Do they buy hours or days? If the total fire grows faster than it can be put out do you just fly the contract and leave if the government doesn’t sign a new contract? What is going to happen with all of the P-3’s that are sitting around your plane down here in Florida? If they can be made airworthy, would they make good fire bombers?
Unfortunately, it's still dry down in Victoria. I haven't heard anything about South Australia(the state of). Just a thought, being in the brush fire business(like air drop tankers) is going to be a good business to be in going forward. As dryer, hotter conditions across the planet get worse, the demand is going to get greater for experienced operations, like Buffalo.
The crew would be in for a huge temperature difference. -40 to +40c Does the aircraft have any set up changes for a temp difference like that. Also the east coast Australia is getting that much rain, some rivers are flowing, so be interesting to see how well the fires die down if at all !
Great episode Mikey! I was a bit confused at the onset of the episode when it showed the DC-4 to Australia via the Atlantic, but then you cleared it up going via the Pacific. What a beautifully built aircraft. They don't make them like they used to. 🤟🏽🖖🏽👍🏽
In 2003 I fought fires out of Thompson airport manitoba we were there for a month , your DC 4 tanker 58 was with us at the fire base , Justin Simlie gave me a tour of the DCL 4
GREAT dig at the nameless "large aerospace company" I'd so donate to it.There are 2 airports in Fiji to land. Nadi has the longest runways that can handle up to 747-400's.There is also American Samoa and or Christmas Island between Hawaii and Fiji.
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Parabéns Plane Savers!!!! Nos anos 1980 , Rico Airways foi a maior operadora de DC3 do mundo....Aqui onde estou. na Amazônia brasileira.🇧🇷
We are living with the constant threat of fire and will do so for the months ahead, the damage thus far is as follows, As of 14 January 2020, fires this season have burned an estimated 18.6 million hectares (46 million acres; 186,000 square kilometres; 72,000 square miles), destroyed over 5,900 buildings (including approximately 2,683 homes) and killed at least 29 people. Where I live its come close and had one close encounter, the ferocity and scale is very difficult in recent years. There are approx 160 helicopters and VLATs on contract at the moment, I cannot begin to imagine why we don't have a DC4 on contract as its ideal for our terrain and conditions, I'll write to the NSW government today and pose to the question....the 4's like other air craft would need to be available annually though.....
And just last week, we were told here in Melbourne by our news outlets that all the CL215 aircraft up in your part of the world were 'frozen in' for the winter and couldn't be made available to Australia! Sounds like someone in our government might be telling fibs to the Australian media. My guess is they haven't even looked into the idea. We've got a long hot summer ahead and traditionally many of our worst fires occur in February - March. So there's still time for you guys to get either some of your CL215's down here or that beautiful DC-4. Whatever the case, thanks so much for thinking of us.
First place is contact the Rural Fire Service headquarters in Sydney, New South Wales. They have dedicated air contracts staff you can talk to. I used to be Ops Manager for a medium sized turbo-prop regional company and we dealt with the RFS quite a bit during fire season. They are great to talk to. Then there are the other fire services in each of the other states, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia - they seem to be the states mostly using large, international tankers. I'd like to note that during the current fire season, much has been written about the extensive "crowning" of the fires, so you may want to ask the experts if the DC4 drop style will still be suitable in those circumstances. A demonstrator amphibious fire bomber (CL415?) was here in Sydney in 1994 and I watched it flying around test drops just to the south of the city. I believe that insufficient suitable water pickup sites were the reason those aircraft are not used here. I'm also a former charter chief pilot and possibly a big advantage I can see for the DC4 here is it's shorter field performance to operate from country airstrips that the bigger jet tankers can't use here. That could quite possibly put the DC4 closer to the fire fronts. However weight limits on those runways would need to be considered as well. All basic stuff for an experienced operator. I'll ask my old company here in Sydney if they're interested in talking with Buffalo. They don't currently operate any pistons, but their current chief pilot is an old DC3 pilot (he's a mate of mine). The only have turboprop regionals, King Airs and a couple of old corporate jets.
My father flew C-54s in the American Air Force, including at Goose Bay. When I was young I flew on both Air Force C-54s & civilian DC-4s. Thanks for bringing back some great memories.
As an Aussie over here witnessing this crisis it would mean the world if you even suggested the idea to us! If you can make it happen and we could see the lovely green buffalo airways dc4 flying over here even if it’s to spray fires or even drop crucial supply’s to parts of the country that need it would be great Your loyal Aussie fan Matt P.S we are receiving much needed rain luckily but only on the coast and were I live (Boonah QLD)
Great video your Northern sense of humor is the best similar to my home State of Minnesota but got smart and moved to Florida sorry I can only visit Yellow Knife in the b warmer months. I'm driving to Alaska in my F350 Truck Camper Cirrus and not the Plane type with parachute.
Mikey, if this becomes more than a thought bubble, I would happily pay to be a passenger on the ferry flight, just to be able to say that I had crossed the Pacific in a DC-4. Unfortunately, today one of the Coulson C-130's went down today, with a loss of all of the crew in our Alpine area near Cooma. It doesn't look like our fire season is over by a long shot either. I can't help thinking that if you decided to make trans-pacific flights part of your routine, that you might have to convert across to turboprops, purely on the basis of wear and tear, parts availability, time between overhaul, and fuel availability.
Great idea but I think it's a bit late for this year. I'm a volunteer fire fighter in NSW & would love to the see the DC4 in action. The one you have ex QANTAS I flew in from Labuan (Brunei) to Sydney back in 1957, it was a freighter/passenger plane on a service from Hong Kong weekly. Good to see the old girl still going strong.
One thing you failed to consider, Mike ... your dad mentioned it, he knows the issue ... fuel. The DC-4 is an av gas airplane. Avgas is exceedingly hard to find in remote areas these days ...I'm sure you realize that from using Avgas airplanes there in the NWT. Your choice of stopping points across the Pacific may be extremely limited by avgas availability. But otherwise, hey, go for it ... you're not there in Oz yet? LoL.
@@tenpiloto Exactly. Also, I'm sure since the population of Australia is so small (about the size of LA and San Diego), the AvGas infrastructure there is much less robust than the US manufacturing/distribution system,. Operating a DC-4 on a high daily use rate might really put a load on the Australian petro industry at a time the country is deep into the fire fighting battle. Now if I were Mikey and Papa Joe, I'd hop right into my JP-4/Jet-A fuel Electra tanker and fly over there with the whole airplane adequately equipped with GoPro can]mears and defray the costs with TH-cam ad revenue. (Hint, hint).
Some great discussions going on in the comments. Some notes to add, even if we get the plane down quickly we would still need time for paperwork and contracts so best case would be working for the beginning of the next fire season (in sept 2020)?). But most important we would have to team up with an Australian company with boots on the ground already to start lobbying the government to see if we are even aloud to be there and if they would want us. The Aircraft are already 100% certified in Canada from a Paperwork stand point. (Of course we would need to upgrade some items as new stuff has came out in the last 5 years). But the Technology in the tank design is the very same that is being used today in the Electra. The cost per liter for the DC-4 would be it’s best selling point as that’s its big advantage over the bigger aircraft. The DC-4 could also stay in Australia forever if needed, saving the wasted money on ferrying the aircraft back to North America each year when the season is over. Also because they would stay it would create jobs in Australia as well. As all maintenance will be done there. So the real hurdle is actually from Buffalo’s stand point, do we commit and make the decision to take the steps to make the aircraft available, because that is the first step.
🕵️♀️Oh and yes I spelt Aerospace wrong in the title by accident. It’s correct on the T-Shirt. Thank god. :) WTF.
send the info out to the relevant people down here and see what response you get you soon will have a answer.
Well it won't be Buffalo Airways Northwest Territories for much long. It be Buffalo International Airways lol
Hey. Old guy, 130 pilot retired. Got a thousand bucks for you, where do I send to get that dc4 to Australia?
@@MikeyMcBryan at 6:10 in the video? Or hopefully that was just a trial run :-)
RIP to the 3 crew of the Coulson C130 tanker that crashed in Australia today.
From Australia 🇦🇺, thanks for the thought guys, we truly appreciate it.
Wedgetail I agree, thanks everyone
Hello from Canberra Australia. Thank you so much for thinking of us . We've had really bad fires around the entire eastern side of the country for the last 8 weeks, it's been really bad as you know, but today was an especially terrible day. We've just had news that 3 brave US crew have tragically been killed in a C-130 fire-bomber that has crashed about 100 miles from here. We've had so much support from around the world and it has filled us with hope and love, but today our hearts are breaking for the families and friends of those 3 brave men who have given their lives helping us get through these fires. The people of our country will never forget the ultimate sacrifice that these courageous men have made. Bless you all. James
Genuinely appreciate the thought.
Maybe a little late in the season to be economically and logistically viable.
Will buy your crew a round of beers if your ever down here.
As a grateful Aussie, may I express my profound condolences to the family and friends of the crew who were lost when their AC went done. God Bless them all.
As an Australian, I can tell you that the people of Australia would welcome you and your aircraft with open arms.
However it is the Government Monolith, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority that you would have to convince to certify the aircraft for operations here.
I can tell you right now that CASA are an absolute nightmare to deal with. Ask any pilot what they think of CASA, it won't be a pretty answer.
@@Lemon0Tart CASA is a truly horrible organisation. Nothing more than high paid public servants who sit around all day working out how to make life more difficult for pilots, engineers, flight schools, GA operators and every other small-mid sized aviation related business or entity.
........your government is busy burning Australia....if you think they are looking for help...send more arsonists.
@mad ass Unfortunately Central Scrutinizer
is right. Our coal loving prime minister spent most the crisis sipping cocktails in Hawaii and was dragged home kicking and screaming. Skipped meetings with firefighting chiefs before the fire and instead went on a tour in an attempt to shake hands.
Well jokes on everyone I guess because nobody is shaking anyone's hand anymore.
And as everyone knows Australian beurocrats learned how to place Byzantinely complicated paper shuffling and the need for well filled brown envelopes as a necessary adjunct to accomplishing anything useful in Australia from the Turks at Gallipoli!
As an Aussie here in Victoria, I really appreciate your plans. Possibly a little late for the main onslaught but we have a long summer still ahead of us. If it doesn’t work for this year, please get some gear ready to go by late Oct so it can be a go for next season! Would be fantastic to see an Qantas machine helping out too....that could gain a lot of traction with media and make it a more sustainable plan!
Phil Taylor I think it's disgraceful that Australia doesn't have a fleet of fire fighting planes without begging for help!
Do they do any brush clearing and preemptive burns to control the fires before fire season.
@@Iowarail We call it Back Burning here, to the point it's Smokey on mild Rainy Days.
@@bobbythompson3544 Yes agree year after year you go through this crap and you guys are still not geared up
Iowarail we used to but the green the lefties stoped the fuel burn offs in our bushland that’s why the fires are so bad Because of so much fuel on the ground and our shit government dosnt think it’s feasible to have large water bombers we do have air tractors and helicopters but it’s just not enough America sent over one of there aircrafts but it crashed 3 Americans lost there life’s helping us very sad day here
Yes you should help the Aussies.
Hi Mikey: I grew up in Edmonton but have lived in Brisbane since 1991. NSW has been badly hit by this fires and any help has been appreciated. Earlier this week 3 American firefighters lost their lives when their C-130 crashed. Yes, they could use another aircraft and I'm sure your offer has some merit. Here are a some issues: this is a WW2 era aircraft and maintenance may be difficult. The C-130 recently lost is an aircraft still in widespread use. The next issue is the range and service ceiling. This would require taking a hop and skip route across the pacific. Wikipedia shows the route taken during WW2. Very likely over the Alutiean Island, landing in Japan and then towards PNG to refuel again and then onto NSW. Of course being cleared to land in these place may raise some other problems. Next comes import/ export issues: What regulations are required to fly an emergency aircraft in Australia? The C-130 mentioned was under lease which is why it was flown by American pilots. Today on the news; the 9 Alberta firefighters that came here to help are now on their way back to Canada. This may be a way to get some answers: some of the coordination of this crisis response rests at the State/Provincial level. May I suggest that you start there. Good Luck. Arnie.
It’s a long journey. Flew a DC3 from Toronto to Darwin a few years back. 12 days, 14 countries and about 75 hours of flying.
That would be about the same for the DC-4 and a bit more weight.
@@harpoon_bakery162 the DC4 has a lot more range(double assuming ferry) and a 10% higher cruising speed. And id suspect it could take a more direct route over open water? Still a long way to go in an unpressurised aircraft of course. How long did it take to recover from such a journey Ryan?
Mikey you will not rest until this is done,this is not just about getting a DC-4 airworthy again but a humanitarian operation that will help greatly in slowing gown these awful fires in Australia and above all in saving lives,such a capable aircraft that still has plenty of life in it and you have them in your fleet ! I think this is a great idea and just has to be done,international relations and help is much needed at this time and this could be another great chapter in the aircrafts history.
Incidenly I love the way you embrace animals into your lives at Buffalo,they give us so much for so little,just look at the way that treasured animal jumps on Joes lap,simply wonderful.
Yeeeessssss!!! Got goosebumps when you mentioned this. Go for it all eyes would be on the DC4....
..
From what I’ve read, I think that if the DC-4 was to come down under, it should come to Tasmania, we have some pretty large fires burning in remote locations and only one fixed-wing tanker, an Air Tractor AT-802, and are in need of something a bit larger
We have just had some soaking rain here in Sydney but today (Saturday 18th January 2020, 0704 local 2004 UTC) is starting to blue up and the heat will soon return. I have friends in the North of the state that desperately need assistance. There is an airfield close by that would be more than capable to service the aircraft at Palmers Island (YPLI, uncontrolled) and another large controlled field at Coffs Harbour (YCFS). If you need aircrew I will be happy to volunteer. I keep my little plane at Warnervale (YWVA) and can either fly up or drive up and bring my camper.
Mikey, I have been fighting the fires in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains. There is plenty of water and access for the CL215’s to operate out of lake Eucumbene, right in the heart of the fires. No retardant needed, just tonnes of water ... the fires will still be burning in weeks to come and there are other areas such as the Brisbane Waters at Gosford where it is protected and they could be based. We can’t wait for the fires to keep burning out the bush and we can’t stop them. Come on, let’s get your team here!!
CL-215''s, -215T's, and -415's could all be put to good use. Fighting big fires like these is why we built them, and the scoop & drop cycle has proven itself time and again. Several provinces own their own fleet, and those aircraft are operated on a lease basis. I would think those aircraft could also be looked at - availability would be similar.
Getting there in a -215 would not be half the fun - that's a very long haul at prop-driven speeds, but once they were there. . . time to go to work! Lake Eucumbene would be a good location for scooping, and as you say, there are other places elsewhere in the country. The DC-4's could lay down retardant for containment, as the Evergreen birds are already doing so well, then the Canadairs (their nickname in many places around the Med) could knock things back.
This is something we know how to do, and something we could do. I was told (pretty rudely) that I "knew nothing about fighting the kind of fires we have" (in New South Wales) 38 years ago. I knew that was b.s. then, and I haven't changed my opinion. The crews who fly them could size up the situation, and whether this would be workable, pretty darn quick. If they say it's practical, then only fools would ignore it.
Paul DimmockWho do we contact to get FF's down there?
Roger Dickinson
Hi Roger, I don’t know of a direct contact for the Air Desk. Ring NSW RFS Headquarters on +61 2 8741 5555 and explain what you want and they should put you through. Also contact the National Aerial Firefighting Cente +61 3 9418 5252 naff.org.au.
@@pauldimmock6115 Thanks for the response but we are Ground Attack not Air. We're after Ground contact people.
Roger Dickinson
Sorry Roger, the RFS HQ phone number would be your best contact that I know of. All help would be welcomed ... exhaustion and fatigue has already set in!!
We would love to see the Buffalo colours in our skies. We currently have over 400 available air asset's available country wide, but it still doesn't seem enough.
We would greatly appreciate your help Mikey, the fires are a state government issue, in Victoria the CFA or NSW the RFS are the authorities. The longest leg for the ferry is California to Hawaii after that it is island hopping to the eastern coast 2 big days probably we will have cold beer waiting. Love your vids
i think it is a great idea! The worst thing you can do to an old airplane is not fly it. Get them in the hanger, do some airframe inspections, run compression checks, do what you have to do to get them firefighter ready and hit the road. I also like the idea of long range tanks, the pacific is no place to run out of fuel, and it is possible that you might have to divert landing sites due to weather. I am not familiar with weather patterns in that part of the world, but it will be changing seasons and that always can bring big changes to weather. Better to be fat and happy if you have to divert a thousand miles
Amazing, Mikey! Just think back to your very first episode of Plane Savers and look at all the people who have connected with you all over the world. And now a world wide mission is a possibility. Incredible. What a bunch of knowledge the Buffalo team has. I am sure you are in the midst of thinking this thing through. Good luck on whatever decision you guys make. Hi to all from the Arrowhead of Minnesota.
A DC-4 flight across the pacific would be epic! Based on how bad it’s in Australia, they probably need a whole fleet of your DC-4 water bombers a month or two ago. Also, I understand that their summer fire season is usually over by March or April... a bit late based on your mobilization schedule. You could be ready for the 2020/21 fire season.
100% Australia needs all the help they can get!
If it's doable with the paper work, why not? They're just sitting anyways. Areospace at the intro is spelled wrong, collector items maybe? if they're made already. The flypast at the begining is so raw and sounded so great on the speakers.
Do it Mikey!!!! Australia and alot of other folks will more then appreciate your efforts. Show the world what Buffalo Airways is capable of! (new T-shirt/sticker/button idea, a DC4 with a smile and a wink and the caption " What CAN'T Buffalo Airways do!" Just say'n....) Also thank you again Mikey for being the outstanding story teller and presenter that you have become. I always come away learning something new and appreciate that. The very best to you on getting DC-4s and anything/everyone else supporting over to Australia. You know that the Plane Savers family has got your back!
I would love to see this happen. Especially if it was PSH, returning back to save her homeland! Very fitting!
Could two DC-4's be sent? Assuming fuel availability is not an issue, that would give more in-the-air coverage time, and also backup in the event one has to be temporarily out of service for an engine change or whatever. Back in the day, there were a couple of local operators who flew DC-3's around to the various sheep and cattle stations, carrying freight and mail as well as a few passengers. So there were quite a few small airstrips spotted all around the place. With truck access to most of these now in place, bringing in fuel tanker trucks should not be an issue. Water supply - pretty thin in some places that are not close to open water and have limited supply from wells (bores as they used to be called). Maybe their armed forces have some of the portable fuel bladders that can be dropped (folded) from a Herc, and then filled. Each can be filled with one or more small motor pumps and hold (I think) up to 20,000 litres. It would cost a bomb, but it would be worthwhile. When I was working there in 1982-83, I talked to some people I met who were in the NSW state government about having Canadian water bombers come down in our "off" season, but the concept wasn't persuasive enough, I guess. I still think it would be a game-changer for them.
The word we're getting down here from the Government is that the Canadian fire fighting aircraft 'are stuck in a freezing winter and can't make it'. ANY firebombing assets heading our way would be greatly appreciated Mickey!! Oh yeah - the 737/MD11/BAe 146s currently on the fire line are fabulous, but the sound of four radials will boost morale no end :)
From what we hear on the radio they are getting rain over in Australia but not sure if it is enough to put the fires out or at least slow them up. Just a shame people have lost so much already let alone the wild life lost, but I would think getting a DC 4 there would be of great value if it was at all possible. Look forward to see how it all pans out. All the very best to each of the Plane saving crew.
Had a Tiger Moth flying around over my town a wee while ago.
I hope its not to late but that is why I love planes and plane people.They care ..It is a war but not brother on brother.The folk downunder can do with every bit of help they can get.My son is in Australia now since one year and he is so moved by what is happening.In tears he was...So Mikey...give new meaning to the word "Plane Savers".
Love your sense of humour. Great disclaimer from your legal department.
I’m late to the party with Ice Pilots and Plane Savers, but I love the work you guys are doing.
As an Australian, I love that you guys were even thinking about something like this!
I spent a lot of the 2019/20 summer at my local airport, here in Canberra, our capital, watching the 10 Tanker DC-10’s, and Coulson’s Herc’s.
Thankfully, since this video, we’ve had very mild summers, with lots of rain, so we’ve been okay, but the droughts will return, and so will the fires. I’d love to see Buffalo around in the future, if that were possible.
Would be totally awesome but financially very questionable unless someone has some very deep pockets.
Maybe the Australian coal mining companies could help? LOL just kidding...
I'd rather be riding hahaha yeah right Australian coal mines but run by international company’s that don’t give a shit bout Australia only about lining there own pockets but I guess they could to make them look better
One thing about the 'splainer. If you're going to fly to Australia you're going to have to land upside down. Fortunately they've arranged for gravity to pull up toward the ground there, so after you flip the plane over it will seem just about like landing rightside up. But you have to flip those planes upside down on yer 'splainer there.
Yes, definitely mikey..I'm sure sponsors will help with the costs..awesome of you too even think it..yes yes yes..👍
Very cool video! I love the sound of the airplane as its flying low and right past the camera. It would be a lot of work but it's a great thing to help the Australians. Start a crowd funding to offset the costs.....I'm sure ALOT of people would be introduced to Plane Savers AND....us watchers could help contribute as well.
Mikey, I just started watching and STOPPED at the 2:20 mark to say, "Yes! Take Tanker 02 to Australia." Our brothers and sisters Down Under need help.
May the flames down under fear the roar of the DC-4's thunder!
If there was a way possible I would love to crew on the trip.
Wow, you guys really are like International Rescue :-) F.A.B and thanks for thinking of us. If you make it, a carton or 3 of Kempsey's finest Bucket Brewery Pail Ale is on me
Dare to dream Mikey..... You have the equipment, you have the knowledgeable people, and you have all the expertise to blend the two together. All it needs from where I'm sitting is for the Aussie government to pick the phone up and say GO! GO! GO!.
I've really enjoyed watching this the DC4 footage again, and I hope this dream comes to fruition. Seeing DC4s in the air again would be great, but seeing them saving lives and people's homes and businesses would be truly awesome. There sure is a dire need for them in Australia right now, and they are just sitting idle on the ground...
If it's feasible, do it! They're desperate for assistance.
desperate? have there been panic striken requests for aircraft? desperate?
The fire crews are desperate, they want as much help as they can but the government isn’t providing it.
@@yarpos Are you blind? Have you not seen, and read about the total devastation to homes, farms and deaths of millions of native animals and birdlife? These fires are still not out. That's desperate!! Some people help because there is genuine need ------ they don't have to be begged on bended knee.
@Jim Bob Tell that to the people who live within seeing and hearing distance of the fires in Canberra. I have friends there, and they are petrified.
Just like California, poor fire management.
Interesting proposal Mikey. I'm here in Australia. The government made big promises to bring in more large fire tankers about 4 weeks ago, but none have arrived yet. We are being told that the aircraft that may do the job are frozen in and not able to be flown out. It is true or just an excuse?
as a cfa fire fighter in victoria its only the start of our season and we are getting slammed !! please plane savers we could use all the help we can get and as a plane savers junkie i would love to see a dc4 raining retardent down on us how about it folks ! from one group of volenters to another group of grate plane saving people please help John kinglake cfa
Right on John, from Werribee.
Sounds like a “Go fund me page” would work to get the fuel for the trip. 👍
Hello again , Old fart skydiver from San Diego again.Yes I jumped a DC4 a few times. The first time was crazy. A pilot that had never flown jumpers before took us up. On jump run the pilot is suppose to slow the plane down for us to get out. that didn't happen.There was no flaps put out, no cut of the inside engine so at about 150 knots and power on ,the spotter said clear to go. two of us went out the door like hitting concrete we were blown down the side of the plane and then hit by the biggest prop wash ever and spun like a flat rock on water. I have more crazy plane stories for the future
This site has become one of my daily go-to sites for aviation topics from north America without any politics. Good on ya!
Absolutely, every chance you get. Take a load of corn it's a highest energy feed grain.
As an Aussie living near Sydney, thank you for thinking of us.
I just opened the video and heard that some DC-4 could fly again... This made me have goosebumps, I never thought that this would happened anymore. Just go for it, this would be amazing for Australia and for the aviation history. This sounds almost magical for me who would love to see a DC-4 getting back in the sky
I had wondered if this would happen a few weeks ago. Im not from Aus but across the ditch and by sounds of it, its the worse season they have had with bushfires along with huge numbers of wildlife killed as well of course human life has been lost. I think also you could do some T-shirt sales (DC4 dropping water relief image) for help funding this as well as direct donations or as someone suggested GoFundMe. Also i think someone with some camera skills (stick a go-pro underneath plane and in cockpit as well) could go along with the crew and film every aspect of the mission; prepping and planning stage, getting over there and doing the work- might inspire some other companies out there with a Firefighting DC4 or similar to send one of theirs as well. These DC4 Firefighting videos (maybe a sister channel to Planesavers for a time) could have donate links (plus others set up in Aus for helping those now homeless because of the fires) with each episode so others not from the Planesavers community might know about it and help donate for supporting the DC4 and possibly another if funding really pours in. I think it would be interesting viewing behind the scenes of this type of firefighting from above, resupplying water for another run and coordinating with ground crew where to dump the next lot etc. Also any YT advertising rev could go towards funding the operation, every bit helps.
There's a really great CL-215 t-shirt that used to be available - not sure about the present day. My dad got hold of one in 1988 when he was getting ready to go for "conversion training" to fly the CL-215 (Unfortunately, I don't have it). In Plane Savers Season I, we see Pierre wearing one a few times - (eg. Plane Savers, Episode 134, May 15, 2019, at time 18m 07s
th-cam.com/video/sz25zL46fFk/w-d-xo.html ) It was a great picture for a shirt, and really showed off that aircraft. Now, if _that_ shirt could be put into the "Savers" store, I bet it would sell like there was no tomorrow.
Love how you took a 'pigs ear' (Airbus-220 incident) and made it into a 'silk purse' (tee shirt) 👍
When I was a kid we lived in Makakilo on Oahu, we were just a couple miles outside of Barbers Point Naval Air Station, and there were couple C54 (DC-4's) squadrons parked there at Barbers Point, was awesome watching them taking & landing off Barbers Point.
Hay Mikey, here I am post shoulder surgery and with the flue and you go get my juices flowing with the DC4 flying, you need anyone who has experience working on them and offbase operation give me a holler. I AM IN !!!!!!! I get to reunite with at least BNV one of my old birds from the 80's.
Yes please bring it, I’ll meet you on Wednesday Mikey when I’m back from Sheffield UK.
You'd be better off getting a beriev Be200c twin turbofan flying boat it should carry more water than a DC4 plus being a flying boat it could fill it's water tanks by conducting a touch and go on the ocean! Plus being Russian it could be a cheaper lease than an old war bird and judging from a previous video from this group about the Basler Turbo prop the Beriev's Turbo fans will use cheaper Jet A1 fuel as opposed to the expensive high octane fuel required for a vintage warbird like a DC4!
Being a newer aircraft the Beriev 200C will probably be more reliable and easier to get parts for speaking from experience here trying to keep B747s(classics and 400s) most of the spares came from Aircraft parked up in the Desert so having received said part you need to carry out a full calibration function test on every part received in accordance with the Maintenance Manual going to that level of testing can take time which on the Ramp you tend not to have a lotvof! Some problems can be the sourcing of the testcequipment if I could recover from the stroke I had in 2004(unlikely)I'd be back tomorrow however the continual retirement of Jumbos will probably put paid to that.
Flying
As an Australian, plane savers fan and Ice pilots fan I thank you for thinking of us down here! Would be proud as punch to look up at a Buffalo Airways flying over head!
Hahaha, love the intro dig at the unnamed "large aerospace company"!
Pun Intended. Haha!
YES💪
I am lol my ars off!
A very polite, Canadian way to have some fun.
From the WTF
If it was up to me I would say come on down. If the fire season here progresses as it has done so far then we need all the help we can get. The hard bit is securing that contract.. Dare I say it but some states will likely privately contract aircraft and crew from the states for the 2020/21 season. Tasmania would be the perfect spot for your CL 215's! Keep those videos coming 👍
I wish you all the best with your vision for getting a DC4 out to OZ,I'm sure the help would be welcomed.
Just the sound of those engines should make it a yes!
You're a good man for thinking of this, Mikey! First thing that comes to my mind is cost, but I'm sure it's doable with the solid company you guys have got there. What a great video series that would be! Would help alot of our Aussie brothers out as well. 👍🍻
That would truly be something Mikey. If you need volunteers I'm up for the that. Thank you for another great video. All the the best to the Buffalo Airways crew and your dad especially. I was an Aviation Ordinanceman. Vietnam era US Navy. Obviously in love with airplanes but that's another story. Blue skies and tailwinds guys from West Coast Florida. "Keep 'em flyin".
As a long term project for the next Aussie Fire season ,Yes. This Fire season should under normal circumstances run down by the middle to end of March. The Australian Government has hired 4 more large Aerial Firefighting Aircraft and they are on their way here now. We have had some rain over the last few days and this has slowed down the intensity of the fires in a number of areas. I think if Buffalo Airways is really interested in participating in the Australian fire season, I think they should enter into discussions with either the Australian Federal Government, or the individual State Governments, such as the Victorian Government or the New South Wales Government , the Queensland Government etc. At the moment the State Governments are responsible for firefighting in their own States, they get considerable financial and other support from the Federal Goverment. As a long term project I think it has great merit, but probably too late for this Fire season.
@Mikey McBryan Nice offer but the fires are currently under control, excepy North NSW and Late February our summers over. Not to mention we have not had scrub fires we have had fire storms some trees still have the canopy tops as the fires burned all the ground fuel left from 10 years of Labour and the Greens stopping cattle and winter burning and loggers maintaining fire breaks. so even the planes we have could NOT fight some fires due to the smoke, only ones going up at one point had Doppler Radar.
This ^
Well if I owned the Hawaiian waterbomber I’d fly that over there in a heartbeat it’s kind of like a no brainer answer because the Australian government would probably reimburse the cost of getting the aircraft over there on use.
No way Jose, Australia will not reimburse anyone for anything. You or the general public are probably not even allowed in the country or anywhere close to the fire except the approved volunteer firemen.
@@rockyBalboa6699 whats that? If its good enough to fight fired in canada why not in austriala?
Pay Way Bureaucracy...
You would be flying in to as much a political firestorm as one of nature. Our federal government ignored warnings that we would need additional large fire air tankers this fire season as all that has happened was predicted by relevant fire, forestry and weather experts. The federal government is now hurriedly trying to lease more aircraft - there was a report yesterday that some possible aircraft are not available because they are ' frozen in Canada'. Some other comments here on UTube have said that the rains are now putting fires out. Three factors here - our fire season lasts until late March, with February being historically the most dangerous month - the current rain is mainly a result of Monsoon activity in Northern Australia and fire weather conditions will return to many areas next week - rain is not universal across all current fires and is dampening but not extinguishing the major fires. Where I live fire threat is ever present in summer - so far only minor fires. One yesterday was 20km south of us and was/is one of four in the Otway Ranges/Great Ocean Rd area. So Mickey the DC4 would be very welcome - but I hope to never see it flying low over our property.
Go for it boys!! Our Aussie neighbours need all the help they can get.
I'm in Australia, and have been through many a bush fire, we should take all your fighter planes, with the way the climate is changing, make it a permanent yearly thing. ?
There is talk of an exchange, which would make a lot of sense....so both governments will reject it.
carbidegrd1 I love the level of trust that you have in governments 😂
@@chrisbowpiloto Trust has nothing to do with it.
carbidegrd1 read my previous comment in a sarcastic tone. We have complete trust that governments don't do things that make sense!
@@chrisbowpiloto You are bloody right here.
Last night we were notified on all news networks that we lost 3 Americans and there plane fighting the fires in southern NSW in Australia. These guys had the same ideas and passion to help that you speak about. We are etrnaily greatful for their committment but so very sad that these men can not go home to their families. Please be careful when you do come as we want you to go home safe. We hope to see you next fire season. Kindest Regards
Ok Mikey, I have only worked with the DC-3. My guess is, you would need to also ship or load In enough spares to build another plane. Two to 3 QEC’s am extra set of props. Starters, oil oilers, generators, jugs hydraulics, breaks, Etc. Not to mention the jacks and stands to maintain it.Does Australia have enough 100LL TO FEED A DC-4 for several hundred hours? Have you worked up a cost estimate to fly it down and support it for an extended period of time? Would it end up staying in Australia, like the one you left down here in central Florida? Did Australia show an interest? Bottom line, would it be cheaper to run per acre of extinguished fire, than other options? How do they decide the budget of aerial fire support? Do they buy hours or days? If the total fire grows faster than it can be put out do you just fly the contract and leave if the government doesn’t sign a new contract? What is going to happen with all of the P-3’s that are sitting around your plane down here in Florida? If they can be made airworthy, would they make good fire bombers?
Yes please !! The fires are out of control
Here would really appreciate the help.
Also would be nice to see the DC-4 here.
Love the content !!!
Looking forward to the first episode of Aussie Savers I hope it can work out.
I think everyone and every nation should help! Go BUFFALO Airways !! 💚
Absolutely LOVE the cold open to this video. Your tact is PERFECT.
Unfortunately, it's still dry down in Victoria. I haven't heard anything about South Australia(the state of).
Just a thought, being in the brush fire business(like air drop tankers) is going to be a good business to be in going forward. As dryer, hotter conditions across the planet get worse, the demand is going to get greater for experienced operations, like Buffalo.
The crew would be in for a huge temperature difference. -40 to +40c
Does the aircraft have any set up changes for a temp difference like that.
Also the east coast Australia is getting that much rain, some rivers are flowing, so be interesting to see how well the fires die down if at all !
The day I arrived in NSW it was +44, and it had been -40 when I'd left Edmonton. The first week - 10 days was pure hell. After that, it got better :-)
paused this at 0:02 - got to love your start. Those over-sensitive Airbus folk are out of control. At least we know who it was now!!
Great episode Mikey! I was a bit confused at the onset of the episode when it showed the DC-4 to Australia via the Atlantic, but then you cleared it up going via the Pacific. What a beautifully built aircraft. They don't make them like they used to. 🤟🏽🖖🏽👍🏽
I used to fly T151, T152, and T119 out of Tuscon in the mid 90's, STILL my favorite plane!!
I watched an air tractor with floats working off Nowra NSW I firefighting . Lots of aircraft reloaded arm off airports
In 2003 I fought fires out of Thompson airport manitoba we were there for a month , your DC 4 tanker 58 was with us at the fire base , Justin Simlie gave me a tour of the DCL 4
DC-4 to Austrailia!!??? OH HELL YES!!!
Ken
You dont need to put your name in a youtube comment, your username is already there. lol.
@@honkhonk8009 This is what happens when the elderly discover TH-cam...
Yes. We're all Commonwealth countries. More importantly, we're all human 👍
Yes absolutely. That would be awesome great idea Mikey spread the love.
Mikey you have to go as well and upload to youtube every day for plane savers
I think this is an excellent idea you guys have the means and equipment to get there and help save whats left of the bush......Do It!!
NO major companies were harmed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROFLMAZZOFF!
Another great video!....good explanation Mikey!
MD-87 Fire tanker turned up today in Australia. Think it's a little late but for next fire season maybe.
GREAT dig at the nameless "large aerospace company" I'd so donate to it.There are 2 airports in Fiji to land. Nadi has the longest runways that can handle up to 747-400's.There is also American Samoa and or Christmas Island between Hawaii and Fiji.
Parabéns Plane Savers!!!! Nos anos 1980 , Rico Airways foi a maior operadora de DC3 do mundo....Aqui onde estou. na Amazônia brasileira.🇧🇷
We are living with the constant threat of fire and will do so for the months ahead, the damage thus far is as follows, As of 14 January 2020, fires this season have burned an estimated 18.6 million hectares (46 million acres; 186,000 square kilometres; 72,000 square miles), destroyed over 5,900 buildings (including approximately 2,683 homes) and killed at least 29 people. Where I live its come close and had one close encounter, the ferocity and scale is very difficult in recent years. There are approx 160 helicopters and VLATs on contract at the moment, I cannot begin to imagine why we don't have a DC4 on contract as its ideal for our terrain and conditions, I'll write to the NSW government today and pose to the question....the 4's like other air craft would need to be available annually though.....
And just last week, we were told here in Melbourne by our news outlets that all the CL215 aircraft up in your part of the world were 'frozen in' for the winter and couldn't be made available to Australia! Sounds like someone in our government might be telling fibs to the Australian media. My guess is they haven't even looked into the idea. We've got a long hot summer ahead and traditionally many of our worst fires occur in February - March. So there's still time for you guys to get either some of your CL215's down here or that beautiful DC-4. Whatever the case, thanks so much for thinking of us.
First place is contact the Rural Fire Service headquarters in Sydney, New South Wales. They have dedicated air contracts staff you can talk to. I used to be Ops Manager for a medium sized turbo-prop regional company and we dealt with the RFS quite a bit during fire season. They are great to talk to. Then there are the other fire services in each of the other states, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia - they seem to be the states mostly using large, international tankers.
I'd like to note that during the current fire season, much has been written about the extensive "crowning" of the fires, so you may want to ask the experts if the DC4 drop style will still be suitable in those circumstances. A demonstrator amphibious fire bomber (CL415?) was here in Sydney in 1994 and I watched it flying around test drops just to the south of the city. I believe that insufficient suitable water pickup sites were the reason those aircraft are not used here.
I'm also a former charter chief pilot and possibly a big advantage I can see for the DC4 here is it's shorter field performance to operate from country airstrips that the bigger jet tankers can't use here. That could quite possibly put the DC4 closer to the fire fronts. However weight limits on those runways would need to be considered as well. All basic stuff for an experienced operator.
I'll ask my old company here in Sydney if they're interested in talking with Buffalo. They don't currently operate any pistons, but their current chief pilot is an old DC3 pilot (he's a mate of mine). The only have turboprop regionals, King Airs and a couple of old corporate jets.
My father flew C-54s in the American Air Force, including at Goose Bay. When I was young I flew on both Air Force C-54s & civilian DC-4s. Thanks for bringing back some great memories.
Problem is the Australian government are a bit backward about coming forward
Considering the string of failed prime-ministers..yes. Very.
Yeah i can't see them allowing the assistance. They will find a way to make it difficult, or quarantine the aircraft
Well, they're bloody upside-down, Mate! What'd ya expect?!
World Transport Foundation...
Mikey, you made me spill my milk ! 🤣
As an Aussie over here witnessing this crisis it would mean the world if you even suggested the idea to us! If you can make it happen and we could see the lovely green buffalo airways dc4 flying over here even if it’s to spray fires or even drop crucial supply’s to parts of the country that need it would be great
Your loyal Aussie fan Matt
P.S we are receiving much needed rain luckily but only on the coast and were I live (Boonah QLD)
Great video your Northern sense of humor is the best similar to my home State of Minnesota but got smart and moved to Florida sorry I can only visit Yellow Knife in the b warmer months. I'm driving to Alaska in my F350 Truck Camper Cirrus and not the Plane type with parachute.
Mikey, if this becomes more than a thought bubble, I would happily pay to be a passenger on the ferry flight, just to be able to say that I had crossed the Pacific in a DC-4. Unfortunately, today one of the Coulson C-130's went down today, with a loss of all of the crew in our Alpine area near Cooma. It doesn't look like our fire season is over by a long shot either. I can't help thinking that if you decided to make trans-pacific flights part of your routine, that you might have to convert across to turboprops, purely on the basis of wear and tear, parts availability, time between overhaul, and fuel availability.
Great idea but I think it's a bit late for this year. I'm a volunteer fire fighter in NSW & would love to the see the DC4 in action. The one you have ex QANTAS I flew in from Labuan (Brunei) to Sydney back in 1957, it was a freighter/passenger plane on a service from Hong Kong weekly. Good to see the old girl still going strong.
One thing you failed to consider, Mike ... your dad mentioned it, he knows the issue ... fuel. The DC-4 is an av gas airplane. Avgas is exceedingly hard to find in remote areas these days ...I'm sure you realize that from using Avgas airplanes there in the NWT. Your choice of stopping points across the Pacific may be extremely limited by avgas availability. But otherwise, hey, go for it ... you're not there in Oz yet? LoL.
That was the first thing that came to my mind--availability of Avgas. Not at all practicable.
@@tenpiloto Exactly. Also, I'm sure since the population of Australia is so small (about the size of LA and San Diego), the AvGas infrastructure there is much less robust than the US manufacturing/distribution system,. Operating a DC-4 on a high daily use rate might really put a load on the Australian petro industry at a time the country is deep into the fire fighting battle. Now if I were Mikey and Papa Joe, I'd hop right into my JP-4/Jet-A fuel Electra tanker and fly over there with the whole airplane adequately equipped with GoPro can]mears and defray the costs with TH-cam ad revenue. (Hint, hint).
Fill It full of carrots for the first drop.