Nice elevated view from the control tower, with Tracker N435DF parked behind.

Elevated view from the control tower. This is the second Tracker to carry this registration. The first one was c/n 410 (1974-1985), but it never saw active service as such. On 1 Feb 2000 the registration was allocated to the this Tracker.

Elevated view from the control tower. This is the second Tracker to carry this registration. The first one was c/n 656 (1974-1985), but it never saw active service as such. On 1 Feb 2000 it was allocated to the this Tracker.

Elevated view from the control tower. This is the second Tracker to carry this registration. The first one was c/n 656 (1974-1985), but it never saw active service as such. On 1 Feb 2000 it was allocated to the this Tracker.

This unknown Huey has been a ground trainer at the Hemet-Ryan airtanker base since about 2002-2003. It is widely quoted as UH-1F N490DF (c/n 7108), or as UH-1H N490DF (c/n 12375), but it is neither. It has a long cabin (i.e. a UH-1D or UH-1H), so the short-cabin UH-1F c/n 7108 can be ruled out. And UH-1H N490DF was still operational with Cal Fire by 2018, as Tanker 205.
So the only known facts are that in 2003 this ground trainer still carried "Vina Helitack" titles, and tanker number 205. The long cabin means it must be a UH-1D or most likely a UH-1H. And it operated as "Copter 205" for the Vina Helitack before 2003. Suggestions most welcome!

This Bronco previously served with the US Marines as Bu155400.

This Tracker never served as an airtanker, and was never officially registered. It is an S2F-1, ex BuA136745, which was delivered to the Japanese Navy on 12 Mar 1959 as 4146. In Oct 1983 it was acquired by Hemet Valley Flying Service as a spares aircraft and stored at at the Hemet-Ryan airtanker base. In 2001 it was restored and placed on display as a memorial. The text on the memorial plaque reads: "Dedicated in memory of Lloyd M. Venable - A pioneer in the aviation industry - Founder of Hemet Valley Flying Service - 1946. Born Oct 3, 1906 - Died Feb 1, 1991."

Third Tracker to carry this registration. First one was c/n 052 (1974-1984), and the second one was c/n 445 (1986-2002). This third one, a Turbo Tracker, took it up on 9 Oct 2003.

The peculiar shape of the OV-10 Bronco. This is ex US Marines Bu155454.

This Bronco previously served with the US Marines as Bu155454.

Third Tracker to carry this registration. First one was c/n 052 (1974-1984), and the second one was c/n 445 (1986-2002). This third one, a Turbo Tracker, took it up on 9 Oct 2003.

Overview of one of the two airtanker ramps at Porterville. From front to back: OV-10A N400DF, P-2 N443NA and P-3 N922AU, S-2 N436DF and P-3 N920AU. Two more Neptunes were parked on the second ramp.

Operated by Sis-Q Flying Service for the CDC (later the CDF and Cal Fire). As of 2002 the registration N444DF was re-used on S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker c/n 187C.

Collided with another tanker near Hopland, California, on August 27, 2001.Both it and N450DF were destroyed.

Originally S-2G Tracker 153579 with the US Navy, the US Forestry Commission got this aircraft out of storage in 1996. Converted to turbine in 2000 and used by CAL Fire.