# Boeing's Red Rain (DD-340)

> The 747 Supertanker was a Boeing 747 converted into an aerial firefighting tanker. It could carry up to 19,200 U.S. gallons of water or fire retardant, the largest load of any firefighting aircraft, and fought fires in the U.S., Chile, Israel and Bolivia. The last one, the Global SuperTanker, ended operations in 2021. The footage is a computer-generated animation of the jet dropping red retardant.

- Department: Tech
- First published: 2024-10-07
- Last updated: 2024-10-07
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/boeings-red-rain/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **2021**: The Global SuperTanker ends operations

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=boeings-red-rain

## Quick facts

- **DD-340-F01**: It was a converted Boeing 747. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Conversion))_
- **DD-340-F02**: It carried up to 19,200 gallons. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Capacity))_

## Write-up

A converted 747 could drop up to 19,200 gallons on a wildfire. The Global SuperTanker stopped flying in 2021.

1. **Conversion**: It was a converted Boeing 747.
2. **Capacity**: It carried up to 19,200 gallons.
3. **Largest**: It was the largest firefighting aircraft.
4. **Countries**: It fought fires in several countries.
5. **Retired**: It stopped flying in 2021.

## Related case files

- [Canadian Super Scooper (DD-463)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/canadian-super-scooper/): I linked another firefighting aircraft

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel describes the Supertanker in the present tense; the last one stopped operating in 2021.

## Video: Boeing's Red Rain: A Converted 747 Could Drop up to 19,200 Gallons on a Wildfire

- Duration: 19.5 s · Published: 2024-10-07
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DA14TrqJdbO.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know? The Boeing 747 Super Tanker is a modified version of the iconic 747 aircraft. It's one of the largest aerial firefighting planes in the world, capable of carrying up to 19,200 gallons of water or fire retardant. This massive capacity allows it to make significant drops over large wildfires, providing crucial support to ground crews. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Which aircraft was converted?**  
A: A jumbo jet. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Conversion) · Wikipedia: Evergreen 747 Supertanker)_

**Q: How much could it carry?**  
A: Water or retardant. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Capacity) · Wikipedia: Evergreen 747 Supertanker)_

**Q: Why is the drop red?**  
A: Colored to see. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Largest) · Wikipedia: Evergreen 747 Supertanker)_

**Q: When did the last one stop flying?**  
A: Global SuperTanker. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Countries) · Wikipedia: Evergreen 747 Supertanker)_

**Q: Who does it support?**  
A: On wildfires. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Retired) · Wikipedia: Evergreen 747 Supertanker)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Evergreen 747 Supertanker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreen_747_Supertanker)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Boeing's Red Rain." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-340, last updated Oct 7, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/boeings-red-rain/