MD-80 Tanker, hard at work

"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw) 10/29/2015 at 16:42 • Filed to: Gibraltar Fire

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The Gibraltar Fire started in the hills over Santa Barbara this morning and is being fueled by high winds in difficult terrain, but crews are working and flying like hell to contain it. Fortunately, it’s not too big or out of hand yet, if reports are accurate. This pic of a hard diving MD-80 was too cool not to share with the plane buffs here:

I can only imagine the approach that got them a descent like this, the ridge peaks fairly sharply not much higher than where the aircraft is pictured, and the maneuvering to get out of there had to be something too. Apt that the tail number is 101, as the 101 freeway is in the frame. The fire apparently started in the area of a road called Camino Cielo, which is a great driving road up in the hills at the top of the ridge. Lots of spendy houses up there too.

The source of the picture seems to be the Santa Barbara County FD, though no specific credit was given.

Ash78, voting early and often > RallyWrench 10/29/2015 at 16:47

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I like to imagine it actually holds 85 passengers and a giant series of blades inside.

ttyymmnn > RallyWrench 10/29/2015 at 16:49

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I saw that aircraft, or at least another one like it, in Abilene, TX last weekend. It was parked out near the airport. It was likely staged there in case of need, as we’ve had some extreme fire danger in the last few weeks. I wanted to stop and photograph it, but didn’t get the chance.

It’s amazing how they fly down those ridges like that. You’ve probably seen this video of the DC-10 tanker doing a similar drop. The narrator is annoying, but the sound of those engines spooling up on climb out is awesome.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RallyWrench 10/29/2015 at 16:53

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Hah, interesting! I was just in Santa Barbara this past weekend. Took a drive up to the Painted Caves to check that out on Sunday. I recall driving on Camino Cielo for a bit on the way out of there. Would have explored that road more but I had very little gas at the time. Odd to think a fire is going on around where I just was at!

RallyWrench > Ash78, voting early and often 10/29/2015 at 16:53

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Damn, that’s a little dark but I’m still laughing. Like the aliens in the new War of the Worlds, fertilizing.

RallyWrench > ttyymmnn 10/29/2015 at 16:56

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Huh, wonder if it’s the same bird. That video is great, it’s just nuts how they throw those things around.

My citroen won't start > RallyWrench 10/29/2015 at 17:05

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“But Mr Jim Jones, how will we bring the fruit punch to Jonestown?"

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > RallyWrench 10/29/2015 at 17:07

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Why does it still need windows?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > RallyWrench 10/29/2015 at 17:10

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It’s not the same plane. MD-80 has rear-mounted engines, and the one in the video has them on the wing. Also, the title of the video says it’s a DC-10.

ttyymmnn > RallyWrench 10/29/2015 at 17:10

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Your post got me googling, and it seems that Ericson bought a number of MD-87s from SAS and converted them. I guess business is good. Also, I wonder what, if any, structural upgrades are made. I doubt those a/c were ever intended for such stressful flying.

ttyymmnn > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 10/29/2015 at 17:13

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Tfritch was referring to my reply, in which I said that I had seen that same MD-80, or one like it, in Texas last week.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > RallyWrench 10/29/2015 at 17:13

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EDIT: Didn’t read the discussion carefully enough, I am a dumbass, carry on.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > ttyymmnn 10/29/2015 at 17:14

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I just realized that. I’m a dummy.

ttyymmnn > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 10/29/2015 at 17:15

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My guess is that it still has seats inside, and that it would also be prohibitively expensive to close up all those holes that are already airtight.

ttyymmnn > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 10/29/2015 at 17:16

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No worries. Blame Kinja and its stupid commenting system.

f86sabre > ttyymmnn 10/29/2015 at 17:23

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The SAS -87s were in good shape. We bought a number and parted them out.

The Douglas T tails are stout planes. Structurally, they see some belly corrosion and some cracking in the vertical and horizontal stabilizers. They will need to keep tabs on those areas prone to cracking. Beyond that the only real limitation is keeping life limited parts in the engines and gear. Right now there is a good stock on the market.

ttyymmnn > f86sabre 10/29/2015 at 17:26

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Good to know. In just reminded of the C-130 that lost its wings while fighting a fire a few years ago.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > RallyWrench 10/29/2015 at 18:14

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I almost went driving there this morning. Gibraltar road is fucking outstanding, hopefully the fire doesn’t destroy the brand new pavement