If you happen to spot a 737 with a distinctive red and silver livery and Coulson Aviation along the side, you are looking at a unique firefighting tool, built under contract with the U.S. Forest Service by Coulson.
The special 737s, which Coulson calls Fireliners are designed to spread large amounts of fire retardant or water in fire areas; unlike the company’s other tankers, based on the C-130, the Fireliner also has 72 seats to carry crews of firefighters where needed. The first into service was in Australia recently to help with the huge fires.
Coulson rebuilds stock 737s into Fireliners in-house. Its Canadian operation designs and builds modifications for helicopters and airplanes for emergency work of all kind, including oil spills as well as fires.
I am, unfortunately, familiar with a number of firefighting planes, tankers & what are referred to as spotter planes, lovely twin engine models that fly low over my house several times a day in fire season. The Grass Valley (CA) Air Attack base is near me & the flight path on take-off brings them right over. These are my favorites, I know the sound & go out regularly to watch them.