CAL FIRE Hemet Ryan S-2T Airtanker 73 N437DF

Meticulously detailed, the aircraft is set against the California Grizzly. The description text is bordered by the CAL FIRE patch, American flag, California Fire Pilots insignia, and the amentum logo.

Perfect for award presentations, the office and home, or as a gift for that aviation fan. Printed on high quality, heavy weight Luster paper using a 12 color pigmented, archival ink system.

• Print Size: 17 x 13
• Edition Size: Open
• Paper Type: Heavy Weight Luster
• Ink Type: Lucia EX Archival Pigment 
• Illustrated by: Eric Lian
• Published and printed by: Lian Media

The description on the print states:

Tanker 73 is a Grumman S-2T (turbine engine) airtanker based at Hemet Ryan Airport (HMT) in Hemet, California. Its primary mission is initial attack and delivery of fire retardant on wildland fires and structure fires in cases where the danger of developing into a wildfire are high.

In 1996, CAL FIRE acquired 26 S-2E/Gs previously used by the US Navy in the carrier-based, anti-submarine warfare role. CAL FIRE reconfigured the aircraft for the fire fighting role with a number of enhancements including the addition of two 1,650 horsepower Garrett TPE331-14GR turbine engines. The S-2T is crewed by a single pilot and carries a payload of 1,200 gallons of fire retardant. Gross weight is 29,150 pounds with a maximum speed of 270 mph and a range of 500 miles loaded or 800 miles empty. Endurance is 4.5 hours.

The CAL FIRE airtanker fleet is maintained and piloted by personnel from Amentum, an American government and commercial services contractor.