SUNDAY. APRIL 22. 1962
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MEDFOHD MAIL TRIBUNE, MEDFORD. OREGON
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Like a scene from a World War II airfield, these newly
renovated and reconditioned B-26 bombers stand in a row
at the Medford municipal airport. All military equipment
and armaments have been removed and SOO-gallon borate
tanks installed. These planes must be kept ready to get
into the air only minutes after being called into action
by U. S. Forest Service Dispatcher Doug Finch.
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Bombers Converted
To Keep State Green
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Bill Rosenbaum, left, and his chief me four-engined aircraft is the only plane yel
chanic, Tim Keffer, go over plans for the to be completed, but Rosenbalm said h
installation of four 500-gallon borate tanks expects it to be finished in plenty of tim
in this partially reconditioned PB4Y2. The for this year' fire season.
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Seen here making tune-up adjustments
to one of the PB4Y2's four engines, is Ro
senbalm Aviation's chief mechanic, Tim
Keffcr. This and the other planes will have
to meet the rigid standards of the Federal
Aeronautics Agency. They will be thor
oughly examined by an FAA inspector be
fore an operating license will be issued.
By GEORGE H. BELL
Mail Tribuna Staff Writer
Mechanics of Rosenbalm Aviation, Inc.,
have nearly completed work on the last of
eight World War II bombers designed to
convert them into borate tankers for use in
fighting area forest fires this summer.
The bombers were purchased from a
private individual In California late last
fall, and were flown to the Medford mu
nicipal airport. Included in the purchase
were five B-26's, two PB4Y2's, and a Lock
heed PV-2, all surplus aircraft which still
contained military fittings and equipment
from their war service.
Conversion work was started by Rosen
halm's four mechanics under the direction
or chief mechanic Tim Keffer, at the end
of the fire season in October, and about five
to six weeks was necessary to transform
each plane from a weapon of war Into
weapon for fighting forest fires.
Plants Renvoated
The planes were renovated Inside and
out. New "skin" had to be applied in several
instances, the military equipment had to
be removed, and bubbles and machine gun
turrets taken off and scaled over.
Since several of the planes hadn't flown
in years, it was necessary to go completely
through the engines, liberally replacing
worn parts, and to instal new brakes,
wheels, interior wiring and tires.
Most of the spare parts can still be ob
tained through government surplus, Rosen
balm said, so the cost of replacement was
reasonably low. However, the supply is ex
haustible, and when it runs out, costs for
parts are expected to soar as much as 50
per cent, Re said.
Two 500-Gallon Tanks
Two huge tanks, each capable of hold
ing 500 gallons of the fire-smothering borate
solution, were installed in the twin-engined
B-26 s and the PV-2.
The larger, four-engined PB4Y2's were
fitted with four of the 500-gallon tanks,
making them the most formidable Instru
ments in the forest service's arsenal of
weapons against the fire-enemy.
Following completion of the renovation
work on one of the PB4Y2's (the other planes
have already been finished), an official
from the Federal Aeronautics agency must
inspect the planes to see that they conform
with government standards and specifica
tions. If the planes are found airworthy in
all respects, the official will issue a license
which will permit the aircraft to operate.
Planes R-Examind
At stated intervals thereafter, the planes
will be re-examined to insure that they
continue to meet the FAA's standards.
This Kind of conversion work is not
new to Rosenbalm and his crew. They have,
during the past few years, converted some
12 or 13 tankers for use by other borate
operators in the region.
These newly-converted planes bring Ro
senheim's total complement to 10 aircraft,
making his the largest operation of Its kind
in the area, and one of the largest on th
Pacific coast. Some 11 pilots will be main
tained on his staff this summer during the
fire season, ready to fly the planes wher
ever the U. S. forest service directs.
Rosenbalm's planes and equipment ar
leased to the U. S. forest service, and over
all control of their operation during th
fire season is directed by Dispatcher Doug
Finch, whose offices and command post
during fire operations are located In the
Medford post office.
Forest Servics Has Charg
"When the fire season starts," Rosen
balm said, "I just take orders. The forest
service has complete charge."
Last year, Rosenbalm's planes operated
as far away from Medford as Wenatchee,
Wash., and the forests of Idaho. The planes
are dispatched to other areas in the region
as the need occurs.
But it is comforting to know that the
home base of the planes is the Medford
municipal airport, from where, on min
utes' notice, they can fly to any fire in the
area with their borate loads, and with
calm dispatch take effective action to
keep southwest Oregon green.
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In the interior nf the ".tz, the only renmrs In some hydraulir fittings Several
plane on which the renovation work is nf Mir World War II hnmhrrs had not been
not yet complete, Ed Cannose, pilot and tlnwn nr ikiH fnr yr,irs. and were in need
mechanic for Rosenbalm Aviation, makes ol extensive repairs.
Bill Ro.sonbalm, owner of Rosenbalm still available. A tire can be purchased
Aviation Ine , stands under the vving of the from surplus supplies for about $80. but
huge PB4Y2 and insnrrt the crafts worn the pnre for a new lire of this tue ii
tire It will have in be replaced Fortunste shout :'00
ly, Rnsenhalm says, wsr surplus tires are
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W. C. (Bud) Purdin. a fa
... .... Kiuuirir nsur generator control panel. In some instances,
n uir niHimiiMi a.rpnri. statins in i i,r rocK Hill Rnsenhalm said extensive rewiring
ml nf th PRlV't anA .kk, n,,t n i 1 . l j .
ie done in the renovated homberj.