Overview

Whether watching the images on TV or in real life, nearly everyone has witnessed the riveting scene of a fast, low-flying aircraft dropping torrents of water or retardant on a blazing wildfire. Fire Bombers in Action takes the reader inside the gritty world of aerial firefighting using both still photographs and dramatic video footage of these amazing aircraft and the men who fly them. Covering more than four decades of study and exposure to aerial firefighting in many regions of the United States, this book tells the story from the earliest attempts to combat dangerous and sometimes deadly wildfires with the use of aircraft. From primitive aerial operations in the 1920s to the use of converted World War II bombers in the 1950s and even jet transports today, author Frederick A. Johnsen covers it all. Noted for his life-long interest in this subject, Johnsen documents vintage and modern aircraft alike, and includes detailed appendices giving every possible detail of the aircraft types and specific airplanes used as fire bombers. Includes a 60-minute video with full narration and dramatic color footage of both vintage and modern fire bombers, including an actual vintage Fire Bomber training film used in the 1960s by the U.S. Forest Service.

Full Product Details

9781580071475

Table of Contents

Reviews

Johnsen's knowledge of the subject is evident throughout, and his insightful photo captions are a wonderful addition to the text. --Walter J. Boyne Aviation History (01/01/2011) -Johnsen's knowledge of the subject is evident throughout, and his insightful photo captions are a wonderful addition to the text.---Walter J. Boyne-Aviation History- (01/01/2011)

Johnsen's knowledge of the subject is evident throughout, and his insightful photo captions are a wonderful addition to the text. --Walter J. Boyne Aviation History (01/01/2011)

Johnsen's knowledge of the subject is evident throughout, and his insightful photo captions are a wonderful addition to the text. --Walter J. Boyne Aviation History (01/01/2011) So once again, Specialty Press has hit a grand slam with this book. It is a fascinating read and has a huge number of quality photos of the planes and men involved in fire fighting. For fans of the genre or those who just like interesting aircraft, this book is most highly recommended. -Modeling Madness, reviewed by Scott Van Aken, September 2010-- (09/01/2010) If you are a modeller who is interested in something different, then you will have a field-day modifying currently available kits and adding exotic paint schemes. There is a lifetime of modelling in this book. -Model Aircraft Monthly (UK), November 2010-- (11/01/2010) Combined with the printed photos, this book becomes one of the best photo references on fire bombers out there, well worth the price. -Internet Modeler, reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl, October 2010-- (10/01/2010) This book is a great addition to anyone's library and in particular any person who is interested in Fire Bombers and their operation. -Hyperscale, reviewed by Mick Evans, February 2011-- (02/01/2011) If you have an interest in fire fighting aviation this is the definitive volume on the subject. For the scale modeler, the book is a treasure trove of visual inspiration and research information. I highly recommend it. You need this volume in your library. -IPMS, reviewed by Chuck Bush, September 2010-- (09/01/2010) This book will appeal to the genaral reader and those studying aeronautics and wildland fire fighting. -SciTech Book News, December 2010-- (12/01/2010) Although a pretty unusual subject for the modeller there are various conversations available for certain types, so this new title is one that we can highly recommend if you fancy having any of the featured types in your collection. -Model Airplane International, February 2011-- (02/01/2011)

-Johnsen's knowledge of the subject is evident throughout, and his insightful photo captions are a wonderful addition to the text.---Walter J. Boyne-Aviation History- (01/01/2011)

Johnsen's knowledge of the subject is evident throughout, and his insightful photo captions are a wonderful addition to the text. --Walter J. Boyne Aviation History (01/01/2011) If you have an interest in fire fighting aviation this is the definitive volume on the subject. For the scale modeler, the book is a treasure trove of visual inspiration and research information. I highly recommend it. You need this volume in your library. -IPMS, reviewed by Chuck Bush, September 2010-- (09/01/2010) This book will appeal to the genaral reader and those studying aeronautics and wildland fire fighting. -SciTech Book News, December 2010-- (12/01/2010) Although a pretty unusual subject for the modeller there are various conversations available for certain types, so this new title is one that we can highly recommend if you fancy having any of the featured types in your collection. -Model Airplane International, February 2011-- (02/01/2011) So once again, Specialty Press has hit a grand slam with this book. It is a fascinating read and has a huge number of quality photos of the planes and men involved in fire fighting. For fans of the genre or those who just like interesting aircraft, this book is most highly recommended. -Modeling Madness, reviewed by Scott Van Aken, September 2010-- (09/01/2010) If you are a modeller who is interested in something different, then you will have a field-day modifying currently available kits and adding exotic paint schemes. There is a lifetime of modelling in this book. -Model Aircraft Monthly (UK), November 2010-- (11/01/2010) Combined with the printed photos, this book becomes one of the best photo references on fire bombers out there, well worth the price. -Internet Modeler, reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl, October 2010-- (10/01/2010) This book is a great addition to anyone's library and in particular any person who is interested in Fire Bombers and their operation. -Hyperscale, reviewed by Mick Evans, February 2011-- (02/01/2011)

Johnsen's knowledge of the subject is evident throughout, and his insightful photo captions are a wonderful addition to the text. --Walter J. Boyne Aviation History (01/01/2011) So once again, Specialty Press has hit a grand slam with this book. It is a fascinating read and has a huge number of quality photos of the planes and men involved in fire fighting. For fans of the genre or those who just like interesting aircraft, this book is most highly recommended. -Modeling Madness, reviewed by Scott Van Aken, September 2010-- (09/01/2010) This book will appeal to the genaral reader and those studying aeronautics and wildland fire fighting. -SciTech Book News, December 2010-- (12/01/2010) Although a pretty unusual subject for the modeller there are various conversations available for certain types, so this new title is one that we can highly recommend if you fancy having any of the featured types in your collection. -Model Airplane International, February 2011-- (02/01/2011) This book is a great addition to anyone's library and in particular any person who is interested in Fire Bombers and their operation. -Hyperscale, reviewed by Mick Evans, February 2011-- (02/01/2011) If you have an interest in fire fighting aviation this is the definitive volume on the subject. For the scale modeler, the book is a treasure trove of visual inspiration and research information. I highly recommend it. You need this volume in your library. -IPMS, reviewed by Chuck Bush, September 2010-- (09/01/2010) If you are a modeller who is interested in something different, then you will have a field-day modifying currently available kits and adding exotic paint schemes. There is a lifetime of modelling in this book. -Model Aircraft Monthly (UK), November 2010-- (11/01/2010) Combined with the printed photos, this book becomes one of the best photo references on fire bombers out there, well worth the price. -Internet Modeler, reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl, October 2010-- (10/01/2010)

Author Information

Frederick A. Johnsen has authored more than 20 aviation books and monographs, and his articles and photos also have appeared in numerous periodicals including Air Force, Airman, Aviation Week & Space Technology, EAA Magazine, Flight Journal, FlyPast, Koku-Fan, Wings & Airpower, The Seattle Times, Associated Press wire service, and others. Fred's aviation video productions have been screened at major aerospace events and were even selected for showing to the President aboard Air Force One.

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