The Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter, also known as the Boeing 377 Sttratocruiser. Was a military transport and civilian airliner that flew in from the late 1940s into the 1950s and 60s. The C-97 was a gigantic airplane, likely one of the largest radial powered airplanes to ever fly. After their retirement, many sat in boneyards in the western United States where aerial firefighting companies were looking at different platforms to turn into air tankers. Hawkins & Powers selected to attempt to turn the giant four-engined beasts into air tankers. Their first version T-84 was equipped with a 4,000 gallon multi-door tank in the belly. After changes and struggles with the aircraft it became T-97 looking slightly different and less painted than it's earlier version with parts from assorted other airframes to keep it airworthy. The C-97 carried more fire retardant than any airplane during it's limited service life. Unfortunately, that also came at a cost. Due to it's shear size, it made use of the large tanker nearly impossible. It only saw limited use mainly in Alaska for a brief time and was used on the horrific Yellowstone Fire Storm in 1988 that scorched nearly 800,000 acres of the National Park. This little talked about tanker is one of the many forgotten platforms of aerial firefighting.
Repaint by Nicholas Mitchell "Scorch00."
This repaint was designed to be used with Manfred Jahn and company's FSX native C-97 package available here on SOH.
Repaint by Nicholas Mitchell "Scorch00."
This repaint was designed to be used with Manfred Jahn and company's FSX native C-97 package available here on SOH.
