Hi all!

[Tanker Pilot]

My name is James Romano. I am a pilot by profession, and spend my days fighting fires during that season and flying medevac in the winter months. I have been contemplating living In a mobile dwelling for a good while, but always found the RVs I looked at lacking. I am so excited about this project and I very much apprectiate having this resource to help me decide which bus will best suit me, and how best to outfit it. I am planning on building a rolling man cave. This bus will be for me alone. I have been reading and watching videos and have a pretty good idea of what I want and don't want in the bus, as well as a general idea of the feel and layout. That doesn't mean that I don't anticipate I might change my mind as I become more educated. I'm a "less is more" person who has done a good bit of boondocking, and lived in a rental 25 foot RV for a year and a half. I am going to read through all the threads I can find in order to answer my questions on the right bus, the right electrical system, and more. Thanks all. I am looking forward to making some new like - minded friendships! Cheers, J

[Johnny Mullet]

Have fun reading all the info on the forum. Welcome aboard!

[Tango]

Welcome Tanker! --- read every "build thread" you can absorb. Lots of good stuff & people here.


What kind of birds you flyin' on your missions?

[Tanker Pilot]

MD-87 - converted jet transport (DC-9 variant). Short body, big engines - a hot rod compared to the other jets doing this work.

I made a nice long reply earlier, but lost it in the ether. Ah well ....

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[Tanker Pilot]

Thanks! Gonna check out your build! J

[Tanker Pilot]

Oh yeah - Lear Jets in AK for the medevac missions. Another hot rod - but nothing like the Tomcat. I flew those in the Navy.

[Tango]

Have to admit I miss seeing the old Catalinas and Deeks doing tanker service. Always had a soft spot for those beauties. No comparison to the hot rodded newer gear I'm sure but still...


I also understand there are still some P2V's in fire service. Spent a fair amount of time in those and they were "hot rods" from the get go (in their day, of course). Thirty six cylinders and a couple of J-34's made for some "interesting" take offs out of NAS North Island back in the day.


But nothing like a Cat for pure fun I am guessing. Closest I ever got to anything like that was a little Pitts S2.



Be safe out there pardner. And can't wait to see what you build.