(Originally published at 6:17 p.m. MDT June 24, 2019)
Today we have four more photos from the Flight Test Museum at Edwards Air Force Base — Tanker 31, an F7F-3 (N6177C). The handwritten notes on the back of the pictures say “Owned by Sis-Q Flying Service, Santa Rosa, California.” The photo from October 1971 also says “Aero Union Corp., Chico, California.”
I remember those F7Fs flying out of Porterville, they would fly right over our house as they made that swing to starboard heading for the Sequoias, we would ride our bikes out to the airfield and watch the TBMs, F7Fs and occasional B17s making their runs.
https://fireaviation.com/2019/12/16/air-tanker-activity-at-hemet-ryan-in-1980/
Airtanker pilots (FirePirates) archived video fun! Just click on Larry Kraus and the Doug:
and here’s another oldie-but-goodie:
Canadian highway splat (drop by a CL-215)
And here’s a comment from youtube (on the highway drop)
@TerryBurtBiglandADV
10 years ago
That was my cousin’s truck. Thanks for recording and posting this. He is currently recovering in the hospital in St. John’s. Except for a severely mangled foot he escaped without getting burned.
— and another 😆 comment:
“And this video proves why bomber splooge will always kick fire’s ass.”
Bill dropped on my crew and me many times in ’73 and ’74.
Many times he was so low that you could see him smiling, with his white teeth showing as he passed by on his run .
From: Charles “Casey” Simpson
Subject: in Memory of Bill Benedict, Pilot, Tanker 31, Grumman F7F-3
I would like to share a memory from 1974. My mom, aunt, uncle grew up with Bill Benedict, Pilot in Command, Tanker 31, Grumman F7F-3, N6177C.
I was 16 at the time and was visiting my aunt and uncle in Ukiah, California. My dad also knew him. It is possible they met at Hamilton Field during WWII. My dad flew P-40s and my uncle flew P-38 F5 photo reconnaissance during WWII.
I vividly recall a serious phone call which caused my mom and aunt to start crying. After a bit, I learned that Pilot in Command, Bill Benedict, had been killed in an aircraft accident while fighting a fire near Hopland, California. He was a family friend, and his loss was very painful. I am submitting this to help keep his memory alive and hope it will help a family member.
More than likely these pictures were taken by Jim Babcock, Mark Nankivil may know more about that. This particular plane crashed on my 22nd birthday, August 31, 1974, near Ukiah, California. The pilot died in the crash.