Why Aerial Firefight in Portugal is a Business?

The "Força Aérea Portuguesa" (FAP - in inglish; Portuguese air Force), was in the direct aerial firefight in the 80s, but suddenly in the last decade in the XX century, the two MAFFS 1 system were stopped to be called. Privates were hired and without orders FAP maintained one of the MAFFS up until doesn't exist no more pieces. With the air force dropped from this mission by politicians the private contrats and the acquisition of helicopters up the contrats, in 30 years to more than 400 millions of euros. But the summer fires increased also in this time, a lot. So, is time to analyze what is up in this nation, not only about aerial firefighter tankers, but also the forest, politicians, firefighters, civilians and the midia speak and think about fires and all what is around, with also contracts up to 2018, police investigations and a process in court about an old contract with a company that made aerial firefight in past. One of the main reasons is that in 2016 Portugal is half of the european burned forest area. 

Fig.1- The C130H from FAP (Força Aérea Portuguesa) uses the MAFFS 1 in the 80's. Was used retardant but the MAFFS also use water. The politicians or FAP never explain why was abandoned in the 90's. 

When in the 80's Portugal buy two MAFFS system to C130H the intention was to used in adiction to firetankers rent since the last years of the 70's. It was not a pacific decision becouse of the "chapers" system in the nation, were is complicated that Defence and Interior administrations work one with another and also about some operation personel in Air Force who don't want to do that type of work and Police/Firefighters from MAI (Ministério da Administração Interna or Interior Administration) who don't like to see the military in this área. So, and for me, without a good reason, by the 90's MAFFs were without use and C130H were off the Firefighter summer device. It is ridiculous to analyse if the major responsibility were from Portuguese Air Force or the system between FAP  and firefighters commando. It was a political decision. If the politicians don't have taken C130H and MAFFs from the fire the military and fire department were still using. Maybe not much, but was we can see with FAB (Força Aérea Brasileira) the MAFFs from 2008 to 2011, was used three times. Yes, MAFFS is an emergency system not for use in every fire. But when it does, it is for me and other people, effective enough and it gives a strog justification to exist in a Air Force cargo plane. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovm-OOW-yL8/UuPNNBQl82I/AAAAAAAAMv0/MgJZjR2Rjgo/s1600/infografico-maffs.jpg  

Fig.2 - The American Fleet in 2015/2016 of aerial firefighter tankers. All private and with contrats with the american governement, but with the support from armed forces if necessary. And all years it is necessary the help of military.

The americans have their contrats with civilian air tankers and US Military Forces, and the last ones don't have specific planes like Fire Boss or Canadair (Bombardier now Vicking) to aerial firefighter. But all their forces have preparation and equipment to help the civillian fleet when the fire is out of control. In Portugal the Governement of Eng. Guterres (Yes, now UN Scretary) with in time Minister of Central Administration António Costa (now prime minister), brought to country 6 new Kamov Ka32 and 4 Ecureuil and make another "Air Force" to aerial firefighter call EMA (Empresa de Meios Aéreos) supported by MAI, but with no contrats with Kamov or other russian company to give maintenance. When FAP and Portuguese Navy were the only helicopter operators in Portugal (the portuguese army had the structure and means but UALE - Unidade Aviação Ligeira do Exército, never had a single helicopter), the creation of EMA was a big mistake and see like more "Jobs for the politician boys". Nobody in their  administration now what is to administrate a company for aerial service and that was not the only problem, since several figures see this new "public service" like a mean to earn lots of money, in the process of winning service contrats to the fleet. The result was that Kamovs and Ecureuils were always with problems and some years later started to have acidents. Today of an original fleet of 10, and after more than 100 millions in contrats, only 6 are in conditions and it is normal that a single Ka32 flew.

Fig.3 - A Fireboss is a cheaper and very good mean to suppressed fires (about 3,25 millions usd http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/gnwt-water-bombers-fireboss-1.3441674 ). The utility for armed forces is for me like the non combatent ships from the navy (see Viana do Castelo class patrol ships), in missions that goes from surveilance to SAR (with SAR kits), and others could be reality with other sensors and equipment. But i respect the "other way" of military material with a seccond purpose of being an aerial mean of firefighter. 

So, it was only a bad political decision that resume in less than 20 years a good fleet to this piece of crapp? No, was much more than that. In reality was lots of bad politic decisions, corruption, the portuguese army, air force and navy "chapels", business of private and state employers, incompetence and the dream that MAI have about is own "Armed Forces" (in Portugal the president is the supreme chief of Armed Forces but GNR and other police forces are administrade by MAI). Of course, after each year of fire in Portugal, this reality and the "aerial fire bussiness" are always subject of midia, writers, analysts, armed forces and firefighters personel, "coffee" people and all a bunch of idiots that think they now becouse "do this or do that" (but without a brain to think), have interests in this matter, "Pot Advocates", corrupt individuals, hard "trading cards" and  of course, "professionals" of aerial private tankers. In this year, like i say, fire was especially violent in Portugal and with civil society sick of this fire shit thing that it happens all fucking summers, they started to mobilizes and petitions like one delivered in Belém and S. Bento last August by an anonymous citizen (to that FAP return to active aerial firefighter), was an example of some important manifestations (that later we will return). Also everybody write about this, and not always correct. And when that happens the mobilization to keep the business is also intense, with jokes like former ANPC number one or private pilots from the area, selling the idea that know everything (the laws of phisics don´t exist to them, you know?) or that their reality is universal (for example one professional pilot in facebook, first he defended that Pumas helicopters are bad for firefighters because "they do", than Swiss Air Force that have the Super Puma only uses them "to the picture", and last said that "Swiss have no fires". But like you see: http://www.climatechangepost.com/switzerland/forest-fires/ ), they have and are alert. An authentic carnival out of season, is Portugal.

Fig. 4 - As 350 Ecureuil acident from company Everjets (privates have good contrats with insurance companies, so the helicopter in the acident was just after substituted by a new one. In two occasion with EMA there was no insurance so the helicopters were lost) This is a risk mission and all the personel, private or military should be high training. For me the best way of aerial firefighter is a mix between the armed forces and privates. The model, for the portuguese reality is the american but spanish is also good. All are better than the one that the have today beeing the worst when EMA was in operation.

Back to facts, it was clear that in first years of EMA the MAI  helicopter fleet was a problem in lots of areas. Since operation, to maintenance, through budget, all was a nightmare. But the process who it led to EMA and operational base in Ponte de Sôr, was in fact a circus inside de portuguese carnival. Nobody wanted the Pumas from Portuguese Air Force (FAP was bought the EH101 Merlin so Pumas were placed avaible), since MAI, ANPC to UALE (Army air Force), it was a problem to have an Base to EMA helicopters because Army and Air Force wont gave away their structures and the result was to use a civilian aerodrome with 8 Millions of Euros (some sources talk about 11 millions) spent in the necessary work to accommodate the fleet. 
But in Portugal is normal that a process or the whole operation in the first years, were not analyzed. And this started with the MAFFS use in the 80s and continued about MAI fleet, private contrats, poor Kamov and Ecureul use and also litle participations of FAP in the indirect firefight support (with C295 used in aerial control platform and Al III moving GIPS and firefighter teams to fire areas). We will be by parties about this: 
First, when the politicians in the 90s remove FAP from active aerial firefighter no one analized how MAFFS and C130H were working with Firefighter Command, ANPC or MAI. Without FAP, MAFFS and C130H more privat means could come, as they did. And that was the main reason to stop the C130H/MAFFS, all the rest is crap.

Fig.5 - Bombardier (now Viking) Cl 415. One of the best planes for aerial firefighter mission but with a price of aquisition up to 30 millions Usd. Again we are talking about a plane that can do SAR, Patrol, Surveilange and other missions, but when the budget for FAP light helicopters are 20 Millions of Euros, have 2 or 3 Cl 415 it is like a "mirage".

C130H/MAFFS were in Montijo Air Base, about 10 minutes fligh to Setúbal city, and in the 90s a big fire it happens in Arrábida protected area (2 km from Setúbal) by the morning, and as far i know aerial tankers are not avaible and only by the later afternoon they arrived. MAFFS recharge in less than 20 minutes and with about 10 minutes fligh gives a discharge at least each 40 minutes (with all the stuff, top a one discharge in a hour). In a hot day, without wind, you tell me if a MAFFS in a C130H was not useful! No one used, no one explain why, and the fire who started in a farm area, was in the afternoon at the top of the mountain. The FAP at that time had 6  C130H and one MAFF active (the other since they were 2 in the 80s, was given pieces to the the active one). More than 40% of the Protected Area burn in this fire. 

Portugal was the only nation with MAFFS that abandoned the system, no one did like the portuguese authorities that left the MAFFS in an hangar, without give to FAP any instructions about what to do. FAP manage one of the system t'ill end of the 90's but it no spares and hope that FAP will back to active firefighter, the MAFFS were send to junk yard. By that time USAF was in use of the MAFFS like FAB in Brasil. In 2008 US Forest Service begin to used the MAFFS 2. And Portugal was no plans to C130H, C295 (a similar system was tested, but there's no certification i think) or Kc390 (there's an image in the net with a aerial firefighter system, but it is only this that we now), with some type of aerial system to make them an aerial firefighter tanker.    

Fig.6 - Berivev 200 it is also a possibility. Faster and with more water capacity again have the price and two minor acidents in Portugal against. This year (like in others), the Portuguese governement actived a protocol with the russians and they send the Beriev.  

This 2016 summer was hot. But at least since 2012 that the question about aerial firefighter tankers and contrats are in the Midia (but only in May, lol), with the main problem being the Kamov fleet. One or other year with fires above average and the subject is everywere, but only about two years ago contrats and FAP are again a regular subject. In December it's Chrismas and no one talks about fires in Portugal anymore (t'ill next May). The last news about it in Portugal was last November 10th when the MAI said that is making another comission to study the FAP return to aerial firefighter, but only with new Aeroplanes and Helicopters  (2017-2018 at least but 2020 is more logic). So, back to zero square. Or not. At least we now today that a fleet with means like Air Tractor, Fire Boss, Beriev 200 or Bombardier Cl 415 is not an option for MAI, MDN and FAP. Probably the new air cargo and new helicopter will have a second mission of aerial firefighter tanker, and the system use in Croácia or Spain will not be follow in Portugal (but elections are in 2019, so there's a chance that who follow have other ideas). 

I like the american system (privates and Armed Forces in backup), but i think for example Spain and Croatia have also a good system and fleet. The question about means only for firefighting is for me a false problem, because today a CL 415 can make also SAR and Patrol, like a Kamov can do also transportation to GNR special forces or medical evacuation. Even a Air Tractor could be a Fire Boss (both models have a huge number of missions that could do).   

Fig. 7 - The contract of Heliportugal with EMA, was for many years the principal flag of the company. Is not clear why PSD/CDS governement stop this contrat to sign another with Everjets in 2015. The investigation to all this contrats is still runing in justice.

But with the hot and fires come the stupidity. 2016 is a year with lots of idiots "came to town", with studies, reviews, midia comments and "politicians without brain" associations (and surprisingly we still go in the middle of November, so...). May is the moth were the circus biggin, with the reporters ask the same question year after year: "is there going to be a reinforcement of aerial tankers to this first or seccond fase (called Charley, Bravo, Bekas or Eggas, what the fuck...). If theres a contrat sign (this one since 2015), the aerial device it is what the parts have agree. Simple. After all we are watched by European Union in all the financial mater and is now clear for someone in this area that rent a single helicopter in this fire time, is at least two times more expensive that buy him new (cartels, unclear business and limited number of companies and means, area the responsable). 

Other question is always: " FAP will participate this year in the aerial structure?" Well, it is a trick question: The Portuguese Air Force since the MAFFS in the 90's doesn't have aerial means of direct aerial firefighter, but is possible and for me a positive thing that participate indirectly, with 1 Al III helicopter to carry troops or firefighters to any point, and a C295 from fishing manegement and naval patrol, to make an aerial control outpost (like FAP made in several years). Of course are always idiots that think for FAP it is not positive to participate in any way (direct or indirect), but to the moral,  the people and also for midia this is better than nothing. And also positive that more Al III and C295 were used not only 2.   

Fig.8 - Cl 295 from FAP is capable of firefighter and forest surveilance. In last years make also from aerial comand post to firefighter units and comunications. This is only one of several examples of FAP in a non direct aerial firefighter.


For the direct aerial firefighter, FAP doesn't have formation or means (in practise). But is true that some FAP pilots make their vacation making aerial firefighter, and that lot's of ex pilots do this job in private companies, that sometimes use helicopters like the ones that FAP had or still have (so theory, is a little bit diferent). Confused? Well, in Portugal we are like this. 
Anyway, the question that Midia make in April and May are most of the times, about Kamov and Ecureuil fleet of MAI (they don't care about the rest). Only in years with lots of fires, is that FAP "come to dance". why? Incompetence. In nations like Austria and France (Civilian Protection) used Al III with a B. Bucket against fires, in USA all the ranks fight fires and all have private contrats with civilan tankers, planes and helicopters.  Portugal uses Al III for 43 years and i never saw one with a B. Bucket. The Super Puma is used by Suisse Air Force, in Portugal we have 12 Pumas  (with Super Pumas engines) "in a box". And there´s no need to talk again about C130H/MAFFS.
It is true that in last years the Army was in action, in the cleaning and organization of the forest. Also the anti-fire patrol and sanitarium help (like in Madeira Island this year), were made by this force (the Marines were also used), but even with the addiction of FAP in not direct firefighter combat, it seems so few (also GNR have the GIPS), in an armed forces of more than 20 000 military.  

Fig. 9 - The C295 as also tested by Airbus in the direct aerial firefighter. Is a possibility to the transportations fleet of C295 (7 units) of FAP. But for now only in some people minds.

The MAFFS are since de end of the 90's in junk yard, the C130H are now only 4, the Al III about 6 (and maybe more  other 6 in fly conditions), and i never saw a Merlin aerial tanker (in theory is possible, but...). There's the system for C295 in a test trial and most likely if it is certificate, is the best choise to a fast return from FAP to direct aerial firefight. Again in theory it is possible to give formation to Al III pilots with b. bucket, but the model will be retired by 2018.  Back to Merlim and C130H, there are also problems with lack of staff and in maintenance, so with is not a possibility, even in theory. Back to Al III, a formation to give pilots certification to aerial firefighter in 2017/18 it's short (if the model were in service for at least 4 years, that will be better for a certification), and no one have an idea what helicopter will replace Al III. So, it is true. In pratice FAP was no chance to in a short period fight aerial fighters.
The last option of passing Kamov and Ecureuil to FAP or UALE, for me is the best one with more means, pilots and money, doesn't have the agree of army or air force. MAI is also not interested, and in true theres a contract with Everjets company that only ended in 2018/2019. The former MAI ended a contract with Heliportugal several years ago, and the company sued the Portuguese state for more than 100 millions.
So, today there's no options. Best hypothesis is in 2020, with the new helicopters, the C295 or the MAI fleet by a miracle to be integrated in armed forces. State, MAI, MDN, midia and population talk about it, but there´s always resistance. Or the military, or the anfibious lovers, or the "experts", those interested in everything staying the same, etc, etc, will be against. It's live.

Fig.10 - A Black Hawk from US Army uses a Bucket to full him with water. The privat means are never enought so all armed forces have formation to aerial firefighter. Agian, it is a model that can be good to Portugal. 

The MAFFS is a good example what i'm talking about. "Experts" see problems everywere with the system use on a not anfibian plane, the coast, the material (water or retardant syrup), conditions, recharge time, etc,etc, are all questions against the MAFFS and over and over again subject of debate. Ridiculous. This is a system used in emergency, when there´s nothing more, when privates doesn't have tankers and it is not possible to rent more. Used when weather and wind conditions allow, but for 1 milllion of euros (the coast of a MAFFS 1 pay by Portugal in the 80's) what you expect? Any helicopter or plane is two or tree times more. The wheels problem? See USA! If there's a base near everywhere, from private to Army, Marines or Air Force were is the problem? Yes, Portugal was less aerial bases than lots of nations, but it is a small country. How much time does a Air Tractor make to do 100 km to 150 Km? Or a C130H to do 800 km? This is not Australia or Russia. So,time out the fire front is not so relevant because in top are a couple of hours (this to an C130H with MAFFS from Montijo to North of Portugal or the Islands). For a Fire Boss "scooping" some distance or Air Tractor landing a small base near the fire, we are talking of minuts (10, 20, 30, all less then an hour).
But lets talk about "scooping".    

Fig. 11 - Portugal had about 147 Aloutte III. In more than 40 years of operation i never see one of them making this. Today we have about 6. This one was from French Civil Protection.

Scooping are the areas were an amphibian aeroplane can reload is tanks full of water. In Portugal (like in any nation) the scooping areas are variables, taking into account the type of plane and his capacity. Of course this is important in the country but as i said before, this is not USA were see is thousands of km from the interior, we don't have desert areas and lack of water is only on two or three  regions. The use of Beriev 200 and Cl 415 demonstrade that the areas were amphibian can receve water without land are very important (Fire Boss is much smaller so there are more scooping areas), and in case of the first at least two incidents take place because of incorrect charts (the last one in 2016 summer). Portugal doesn't have a big struture of airfields, scooping and logistic areas for aerial firefighter (in this year the Cl 415 and Beriev 200 were placed severel days in Montereal, the house of the F16, because of the fires in the center of the country), but nothing that some millions  in construction wont resolve (Ponte de Sôr and is costs are one of several examples). So, at least for me Cl 415, Beriev 200 or Fireboss, all will have aplication in Portugal, and the prove is that is last at least 20 years, they were very usefull to this nation in the hands of privates or with friends governments and others that Portugal have assistance protocol, like Russia. And if the problem with the "wells" Air Tractor is not a real problem in the actual structure and we are talking about a plane that can land in a small area, remains to speak about the helicopters.
    

Fig.12 - An Swiss Al III with the B. Bucket. I don't care if the helicopter was the righ on to the task or not, but they used him. I guess one of the reasons becouse there was no problem to buy the sucessor was this one. Portugal still has the Alouette III.

The geography of Continental Portugal give to the Helicopter the most important rule in firefighting and medical evacuation, because there is significant space to land and to make permanent or temporary bases. With water and fuel near by, without a need of a big aerial base and with the experience of years of war using light and middle weight helicopters, that machine makes sense that will be the spearhead in a variety of aerial functions even before all types of aircraft. I suposed that when the ANPC fleet was buy the intention has that, but the problem was that all the rest as wrong and the result was to much money spent in crap and a bunch of helicopters that only half are in fly conditions.
First ANPC doesn't need a fleet. Without armed forces only medical evacuation make sence to have helicopters. FAP, NAVY and UALE (20 years without an helicopter and still runs), should provide part of the means to police, firefighter, ANPC and others in a special situation (like MEDVAC).  MAI also may use Armed Forces material but i see some logical in a small number of helicopters (i don't think they need but it gives some independence to police), manage and with assistance from military.
But back to aeial firefighting, the Puma's case are one example how bad things are made in Portugal. We are talking about helicopters who were from war but they were 3 times modified since the 70's, with Super Puma engines, radar (was made to lauch exocet, that Portugal never buy to France) and structural re-enforce.  When FAP bought the Merlin, nobody wanted Puma's. Ridiculus is that UALE to this day doesn't have one single helicopter (again, for more than 20 years!!!), and that since the last fligh of 5 Puma's in 2006 all of them are in Beja Air Base without any use.  Then the Ka32/Ecureuil to EMA, when UALE had a struture, pilots and a base in Tancos, first to Ec635 and then to Nh90, two helicopters that never were used by Army, because political and budget problems.

Fig.13 -  A Puma helicopter from SAAF uses the bucket. Good or bad for the task, several air forces use the Puma's and give aerial firefighter formation for their crue.

Then the service problems with EMA fleet, for those to operate with helicopters or truks was the same, because they don't have an idea what it needs to mantain 10 aerial machines 3 or 4 moths in a single year. Funny is that the "gigs" who talk about FAP, C130H and the MAFFS use (to blaim FAP the most of the times), are in silence about EMA, the helicopters, service, organization and other stuff talked a few chapters ago.
When a fleet of 10 helicopters had less than half in fly conditions, 2 were lost and only one is possible to be "saved from the hangar", what is wrong? Let's face it, how the hour fly cost is above 35 000 euros to a KA32 (more than the 31 to 35 000 USD of the F35 fighter!!!).  Why, helicopters with about 10 years of operation are with problems, since de structure, to the interior, passing by other components? Lots of people say to sell them. Sell them why? In Korea three instituctions have them in service (including Korean air Force), they used to several missions including aerial firefighter, and the Kamov from forest service and Korean Air Force were in 2015 prepared to fight aerial firefighter at nigh (the Korean have acess to all american helicopters, but prefer the russian one to this mission). so it's a Portuguese problem not a type or other nations problem.
The truth? Aqquisition of EMA fleet and his subsquent mantenance made rich many people but to taxpayers was and is still is a nightmare. If Puma's and Aloutte III were used, the service with spares and motors were with 30 to 40 years of experiênce in the country, and even in UALE or MAI, FAP have been call tho give the formation. If they were used by FAP, better, because we see problems in the use of Merlin or Lynx (is from navy but based in a FAP base), but not the ones with Kamov and Ecureuil. Service with the factory and russian or french personel were never made in EMA, and in all private hands, was the minimum. So, the result is what we see: More than half of the fleet doesn't fly and the money is still going.

Fig.14 - In USA old planes have new missions. In this case an P3 was converted to aerial firefighter tanker. In Portugal is always a problem to do so. We prefer to sell them to scrapp like we will do with the Pumas. 

In conclusion, if this year was not a hot one, if the fires doesn't burn in Portugal like in a "Greak tragedy", all this matter will be the same in the last years (forgot, was he said). But is still more complex that just the aerial firefighter. First the prevention that is a mirage in this nation, is made one or two moths by year and of course its a zero result. Then, the state that is the owner of 56% of the forest doesn't now (they think that only 10% are public and the rest private). In fact 10 to 20% of forest area are public and state doesn't now were it is. So, how can you made prevention of land we doesn't now is yours and where it is? And prevention in protected areas? The portuguese law is heavy when a land owner cut forest in a reserve. But the objective of this article is not to talk about Portugal and the country forest, so we speak a few only to bee seen the shelf that the territory (and other stuff), is in this nation.
Prevention and all is mesures is only possible when we know the land and is owner. About privates, he have the knowledge that species in forest like pine tree and oak is replace by eucalyptus, a tree to timber and cellulose companies not for the environment, with the government doing nothing. When the fires came, all the growend conditions (not to talk about interests established), are great to a catastrophe (as he see live year after year).
But even in a organized forest we need means to combat the fires, in land and air. And is this last one that we are talking about in here. Again, see the american way, it makes sense to Portugal, give FAP an active place in this area when theres an emergency, and the privates have their place too, for the forest, the people and more important, the country.   

Fig.15 - US Forest Service is an example of the way the things may be. The airtankers of C130 from USAF, NAVY, MARINES or COAST GUARD are avaible in case of need. When there's no more private means to a fire, goes the Hercules with MAFFS. And USA is so big that have forests like in Portugal up to 40 times in diferen states. 

Again and for me, i prefer the "american way", but also the "spanish way" is acetable. It is better a fleet of helicopters and aeroplanes that are in FAP (or UALE or GNR, but i prefer the first), make the operations in a full year and in "fire moths" give a help to the privates, in a contrat make with the State like Us Forest make with american federal governement, A fleet of helicopters and aeroplanes, like Kamov, Cl-415 (or Cl-215), Beriev 200, Fire Boss and Air Tractor have utility in the rest of the year, from SAR to MEDIVAC, but i know that they aren't military means. And there's always the danger of a fleet that the State give to FAP with some money and means, but by two or four years, said that the money will be from the FAP anual budget (a big risk to means, fly hours and FAP integrity). Military means don't have this problems and are better accepted by the militaries (that is important to, in a nation with lot of scrap by lack of use). Means like Beriev or Bombardier (Canadair) are better for civilians, that understand and see the concept of aerial firefighter tank more easily than military means (except the C130 with MAFF). In fact planes and helicopters are necessary and complement each other, so the mix between civilian and military component is the key, in operation and against corruption and abuse of public money. And the EMA and aquisition of Helicopters for ANPC was a good example of that crap use.
When a new identity emerge with no experiênce, were lots of people were from Political Parties, when a significant number of contrats and construction worth millions, of course it's a magnet to crime, waste of money and resouces. If this aerial means were given to FAP, UALE or GNR, with of course, more people and a better budget, were the helicopter was a agreement between services and politicians, no doubt that the use were at least 50 to 60% every year, not 30, 40% or less in a 3 moths fire season. And the "budget deviations" way less, surely. State aerial means should be, for me, in FAP (it has the experiênce and all the means), with a proper budget and with the righ number of pilots and ground crew. I don't care if the planes and helicopters are like in USA or Spain, what i know is that the Portuguese forest, besides preventions, anual cleaning, surveillance, forest guards and firefighters (etc,etc...), needs also public aerial firefighter means.

Fig- 16 - A Mi8 used by an private company in Portugal. Like the KAMOV is also a Russian model. The debate between if is better privates or public is a crap. Public means in FAP and privates with their own means is the solution with a good oversight from state. Most of the time this is a problem but Portugal was to deal with and make fiscalization capable.   

Also important is the surveilance. From light means to UAV, all them are crucial to Spring and Summer, and again FAP as the personel and equipment to do it in Tancos air Base. Of course there are also good UAV made by portuguese privates companies, but why there's no contrats with the state and MAI, of none of them? Again, all that matters is the privates aerial firefighter means and only in a small scale FAP and private UAV's enter in this strong financial area.

And Media? Talk only a little, with bad information, much confusion and 3 to 5 moths in a year. So, is the public, and the civil society (at least the part who cares about this things), that should be important for pull the Media interest about this theme and to send the message to the politicians: "we want public military means in the aerial firefighter every year". Petitions and blogs, articles and public interventions (in the Media, but also with people, face to face)  is the way, not also to this tematic be talk everytime but also to increase the poor armed forces budget (about 1% of the PIB), to have more means and man, not to be in the base but on the service area. The population is with the Armed Forces (in a university work that i made in 98/1999 more than 54% support a bigger budget to man and means if they were used also to civil operations), and if they see FAP with their planes and helicopters, in medical evacuations, surveilance to fires and active aerial firefighter combat (with a good publicity in the Media), more easy will be the replace of Aloutte III, C130H, Falcon, etc.
And i´ve done my part,  in signing petitions, talk with people and with this little personel article, to that public means by FAP (UALE or GNR also is accetable), will have direct paticipation in fire season. Good or bad, i don't care because this is what i and other people think about aerial firefight and the need of FAP to be in the first league of this major problem that inch year plagues Portugal.
Probably 2017 will be a less heat year, but the global temperature is reasing, so... http://sol.sapo.pt/artigo/541189/clima-sera-2017-capaz-de-bater-os-ltimos-recordes-

Fig. - 17 - A ligh Hiller helicopter used like a fire lighter. Again, light helicopters like the Al II were not a option to surveilance or any other task in Portugal. But for rest of the World they area an option. http://www.ruralfirehistory.org.nz/aerial_firefighting.htm

http://www.areamilitar.net/analise/analise.aspx?NrMateria=18

Fig.18 - C130H from USAF with MAFFS 2 system. It can be full of water in 17 minutes and all the cargo be outside in less than 30 seconds.

http://www.operacional.pt/meios-aereos-no-combate-a-incendios-florestais/

Fig 19 - Another C130H with MAFFS 2 is tested  in land by USAF.

http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/aviation/airplanes/maffs.HTML

Fig. 20 - The EMA (Empresa de Meios Aéreos) was created with a fleet of 4 Ecureuil's and 6 Kamov. Today the company is gone and of the 10 one was lost and other had a big acident. Less than half fly and the Kamov are in bad shape (soo they say).

http://fireaviation.com/tag/c295/

A Kubel from Academy at 1/72

What a like most in modeling is freedom. Today i make models when i want and with no pressure from anything. It is me and the models. Probably in the future the only site were i will keep my models on display will be this (and my home of course). Because it's me and my models, were there's no crapp, no shit stuff or things that i don´t like and i don't agree in a thing that is only for me a hobby (i make money for me and my family live reasonably, write and model are only for spent time). And i´m fine with this, and my readers are fine with this to, and the others have all the modeling world to their stuff and things. 20 000 views, how. Thanks to all. I promise that i will keep this bloog t'ill i can and the modeling it´s a bonus. Cheers.

Fig.1 - The Kubel from Academy. A very good model, with some extras. An Mg42 from esci,

Ok, but lets go to the model. I made this Kubel some years ago, and is part from a large diorama. But i had this idea of making a mecanic and some tools . So, i used a litle base to make this presentation. And was fine to me. I like the result but in the end the Kubel and the figures were back to the big scene.

      Fig.2 - The original diorama. After this presentation is back with the Kubel, the mecanic and a Golias. One day i will back to him, to do the camuflage net better and give more stuff to the grass area.  This is still the original.

The academy model is very good and easy to make (with have also the Jeep and a Katen). I used some things to give a more realistic motor and is open. The tools were make from Ever Green and theres a paper sheet near them. In the main gun, i also scratch the bullets and used tape to glue them so near one another. 

 Fig.3 - The mecanic figure and the tools. I used a Hasegawa  1/72 figure and all the tools are scracth from Ever Green.   

I used a figure from Hasegawa with the hands from Airfix 1/76 scale. It was easy to make and the stuff that the mecanic have is like i said from paper and cut to scale Ever Green. The scale diference it is not seen and the idea was cool to make.

Fig.4 - I think the result is very realistic. Of course it is a model with several years, and maybe today the stuff will be diferent. But i like it, and that it is all that maters.

The Hasegawa figure have in hand a tool make from Ever Green. The other figure is from Matchbox and was given me from another modeler. It is probably about 30 years and i now that he used Putty to make him diferent. Great one.

Fig.5 -  The front from the Kubel. The cable is plastic with some heat. It is good for the scale but today theres stuff from for example Roco, that is more realistc.

The paint job was a mix. I used Airbrush for the Kubel exterior with Tamya paints. For the interior i used enamel paits from Revel and Humbrol. I´m a fan from enamel paints and the stuff is big. But maybe in future with other paints that are today in the market, i will try them and use others more.

Fig. - 6- Great figure. I like use stuff by others. The stuff near the 1/76 Matchbox figure is from Roco 1/89.  

In conclusion, when i see another Kubel from Academy i will buy. Great one and with a sheet of fine decals. I liked very much and for who does make models in this scale it is a master piece. And for that academy box i only have the Jeep to make (all the boxes and accessories are gone to).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_K%C3%BCbelwagen

Fig. - 7 - The general idea. A good presentation to me and to personal staff. Nice pictures but is back to the original diorama 

 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/04/vw-kubelwagen-and-schwimmwagen-germanys-ww2-jeeps/

   

It is a Migrant Crisis. Not refugees... (part 1)

Yes it is. By 2013, 2014 and middle 2015 the EU asylum applicants were also from nations without war like Russia, Servia, Kosovo and Iran. It is true that most people came from conflicts zones, like Syria, Afeghanistan, Somália, Eritreia and Iraq but more than half are from areas were the populations leaves because they want a better live. If we see close to Eurostat data the problems begin in 2013 not 2015, just in time for Syrian war escalation and the start of the second Libyan Civil War. Of course the problems in Africa and Iraq situation are influencing the migrant number, that was in 2013 and 2014, more than 600 000 and 860 000 individuals, but this conflits started in the beginning of the century or until in the last decades of XX century. The refugees from this countries came from their nations but the boarding site is Lybia and Siria (after the civil war star).  So, Midia and western politicians are wrong, because we have today is also a migrant crisis, not only refugees.  

Fig.1 - Data from Eurostat with EU aplications of asylum in 2013. With Syria, AklAfghanistan and Iraq in a very nasty wars, we see Russia, Kosovo and Iran in the EU asylum list. Russia  is the second with more than 40 000 and Iran is also first than Iraq.

Introduction:

The western countries were always a migrant and refugees destination.  Also a source for hand of labour for example to United States, Europe see for example in the 60s migrations movements in the own continent from Portugal to France. With the end of colonization there was a significant movement between Africa and Europe, when Europeans settlers retourned to ther original nations (or from their ancestors). African natives with european citizenship move also to "metropolis" and the clash was enevitable since majority was not prepared for duplication of the numbers in the cities. The main problem was the number not the race or other items, but of course ideology and racism were present. Religion was not, since most of the individuals were cristians and the islamic were only a few. Tolerance and acculturation made the rest. Politicians were enough competent to give primacy to acomodation and food suply than to minor clashes in between this or that group and police and justice made the rest. Extradite was used if required but with no Human Rights actvistis and Mídia roof present the authorities made their joob, most of the time good. Was simple: who was entitled to stay was most welcome to country and who was not leave to their original nation. Yes, asylium don't work very well for example in cases of persecution and people were kill after send back, but the today solution of give asylium to most everybody was not a option, mainly to social problems but of course the danger of a cultural and religion clash was also considered in that early times.    

Fig.2 - In 2014 the number of refugees increase, especially from war zones. But about 25 000 from Russia, 26 000 from Iran or 32 000 from Eritreia are only examples of asylum applying in UE from nations that technically were not in war. With politicians like Dr.ª Merkle and Dr. Hollande most of the request were accepted because they were invited. After the first attacks most of them were handed out to the Turquish. The "guest era" was ended. To bad to were on the way.

Control of migrants and refugees was the major key in the 80s and 90s to western countries. The balance was the right formula but several events change the world dramatically, with the end of Could War at the top. Without the "two blocks", money and incompetence quickly ruled the world and the "actors" made their movements to rich and powerfull  without care with the results (althoug some warning by scholars quickly derided and called "idiots" and masters of disgrace by the "experts"). EU made ther "border end" (one of major desasters, like also single currency, etc), USA liberalized all and nations like Australia and Japan they were by the middle. The old communist block was dead and Russia with one or two ancient republics had their problems. United Nations were soon outdated with Balkans, foreign affairs was a joke and when terrorrism made ther way in September 11s, was a surprise and i don't now why becouse the 90s were a chaotic decade. Soon a injuried USA attacked Afghanistan but the major problem was when they attack Iraq in 2003 (after Lajes reunion, remember?). Since then to Arab Spring it was a glance. Consequences? does not matter. Oil first, arms sales second and ended with "the nasty dictators" part of them old allies from "cold war times" were the tree major tasks of western world. If Syria was a confirmation, Libya was a surprise with all the World (UN and old soviet block include), to be incompetent in their agreement. After all business is Global.   

Fig.3 - Arab"Sping disaster". If Tunisia, Jordan and Marocco are the major sucess with political change and legislative and democratic reforms most of the rest was a disaster. Libya and Syria soon will be uncontrollable and Europe with the western world face a migrant and refugees crisis. With the greetings from islamic fanatics and imigrations networks.

Development:

Surprisingly no one near the politician and military predicted what it came following, what tell us the level of incompetence and collusion near the decision center. Of course there are exeptions, but they were silent (by others or buy themselves to keep the joob), ignored, apart or derided, from the main chain of control to the single blog analyst in Bermudas or Bahamas. After all other interests lifted up (ahh, the money, oil and influence). But there's a surprise: Ukraine. Perhaps was a  collateral damage and Germany and UE only demand another marketplace to sell is products when they give a hope to their people in a full democratic nation with all the support from ocident. Again the real problem was very different what Merkle, Cameron and company expected: The crowds that Kurt Lewin explain in their books in a magnificient way guive to the "local vultures" and extremist groups who only want power made the rest and "guided the masses" in the streets. President Putin started to get nervous and the rest all the world nows. Probably the Russians in asylium apply in UE have some to do with the actual situation.

Fig.4 - Situation in East Ukraine by March 2016. Today the reality is very similar. Of course Ukraine was not a " full democratic state" before the civil war. But today  most of the problems remain and there's a split nation with a war with no end in sight. For the economy and the poppulation of Ukraine is terrible. And there´s no UE or NATO possible in this conditions.

But for now the problem is not Ukraine. All the leaders in area know that they can´t "streach more over the rope", so they only "make some noise" and expect that diplomacy talks.  Parts of Africa, Asia and even south and cental america (Venezuela is a huge problem and maybe will be in future a pole of instability to the region and even to world) are not like that. From Somalia to Lybia, Afghanistan to Syria or Iraq to Turkey, there´s a mass problem with war, terrorism and population mass escape. And i don´t see any solution with today politicians or institucions (the refugges "sell" to Turkey by millions of euros are not a solution but a "joke". See the actual level of turkish democracy or the Armenian genocide if you have some doubts). By the way, the problems should have been avoided especially in the beginning of the century. Jordan and Marocco are good real examples, and to bad that they were not followed by most of the other "today problem nations". The World, Europe and their poppulations would have thanked.

Fig.5-  By 8/2015 the number of asylum applying in UE was about 351 000 people. Again, Kosovo and Servia, who are without any war were in significant number. Eritreia and Pakistan are not secure nations but there's not a war, at maximum some sorce of conflit. Probably the final numbers in 2015 are about 700 000 to 1 000 000 asylium applying in EU, and again with more than 120 000  migrants that want to have a better economic live.

Well the "bad job" is done, and today the only sense to talk about the past is to prevent again in future. But this present problem if whe focus only in present, is not easy to talk and more difficult is to find a sollution in this "mad world". For example, everybody know war in Syria and that the bigger number of refugees is from this nation (it is normal that people who dont want to or can't fight run away from there). But what about Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan? What happen's there? And how people from Eritreia or Pakistan get to Syria? How they came? Who give them support?  Why they are not detected by UAV, satellites or spy planes?  This is about money and organized crime? About islam and an invasion like in the 7th century? Even in Syria we have to ask: How the hell migrants can travel in a country in war and were and how they get on the boat? Is the "Migrant net" a way to finance the war? Who is helping abroad? And why som politicians said "came all to our nation? That are all things that we will talk in the second part of this article, because is important to understand what is happening.

Fig.6 - The situation in 02/2016 at Syria. The nation is divided in 3 major areas controlled by Assad, Isil and the Kurdish. Russia and Iran are the main regular forces behind Syrian government last wins and the Kurds have the support of coalition forces, led by US. But Turkey atacks the Kurds, Isil and other rebel groups, the US atacks Assad Forces, Isil and others, and the Russians atack everybody any less Syrian Forces. But in this caos Migrants can have acess to routes, boats and boarding areas with a few problems. Or the organizations are the forces that fight in Syria ore the casualties are much more higher than in the Mediterranean shipwrecked. 

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2015/05/syria-country-divided-150529144229467.html

Fig. 7 - The Migrations routes that finish in the Mediterranean at 2015. Has we see from five points to acess to the see, only two came from Syria. If it is true most of them came from conflit areas, it is a "mistery" how cities like Teeran in Asia or Tunis in Africa are part of this routes. Lybia after Syria is the main door to Mediterranean. Another "funny thing" is that we know the routes and they are long, but nothing is done except in the see. What are the reasons for that?

http://www.iom.int/

Fig.8 - Principal Migrations Routes in 2015. Not much change in Europe entrance, except the numbers. Again the information is all there why nobody have done much thing. Worse, the wars in Iraq, Lybia an Syria, make millions of refugees, who of course, they were added to millions of migrants who seek a better live.   

http://www.emersonkent.com/ 

The Artillery Battery that never was... Milregos Battery

The Milregos battery started to build at same time that Casalinho battery (with an article in this blog), in 1916, as a complement to this last one (probably like in the 40s with 7st and 8st battery from the RAC), with one of them to be used at close range (we supposed Milregos) and the other at long range (Casalinho had 280mm guns). In 1919 and with the end of Fist World War, construction of both stopped. Only in August 29st, 1929 Casalinho was completed. With only one magazine house build and the acess road Milregos never see the day light. Casalinho quenched only it occurrued in the 60s, when 7st and 8st Battery were in full service, build not much far from the original first XX century Sado River Battery (8st is only 600 meters from Casalinho and probably about 3 or 4 Km from Milregos, but about last than 1 km from Outão fort, a much older artillery position). So we can't only speculate how would Milregos battery be (at least without a much bigger investigation, involving the Army files and much longer available time). 

Fig.1 - This picture is probably the only of the unique struture of Milregos Battery. Only this bulding and the clay road were build in more then 13 years since the construction started. Today in that place is Outão Camping and the ruin it was recovered to be inserted in the Park.  

When Germany declared war to Portugal in 1916, coastal defence were made with mobile guns from the army in association with navy ship units and others from aviation. The main problem were german submarines that in some occasions used their guns to bombard main land (even Lisbon was a victim of this attacks with destruction and a mortal civillian). The need for a costal defence, in the main porst of all the nation, compounded by priority of the intense naval traffic in the vew of the cost and the need to protect, was assumed by Portuguese Governement and the Battery of Casalinho and Milregos was part of the sollution. 

The objective was  the protection of Setúbal bay and port, but like most of the portuguese military constructions money and labour problems made that only Casalinho was build and operational in 1929 and Milregos had only one small fraction build, after some interruptions. That we now, Portugal never had guns for this position especially buy. Maybe stock guns were the sollution but this is only speculation. 

Fig. 2 -  Mr. Francisco do Rego house hit by one of the more than 50 shells from the guns of U155. Miss Tomásia Pacheco died from this attack. Thanks to the battery commanded by Alféres António da Costa who fired against the germans from more than 6000 meters, the action of the submarine ended.

Since Milregos battery was never completed and we don't have access to army files from here (maybe in a near future), we only can make a fiction exercise about how would be and wich type os guns would be used. When RAC completed the 7st and 8st battery after WWII near Setúbal in simillar positions, one was a longe range function (Outão with british 152 mm guns) and the other close range (Albarquel with 150 mm german guns). So, it is possible that Milregos was planned was a short range gun position since Casalinho Battery had 280mm guns with a range of about 50km.
The guns are also a speculation exercise since guns in Portugal for this type of army facilities were various calibres and from army and naval provenance. Half buried or using vegetation and camuflage net the position woud be very difficult to see from a ship some kilometers in the river imput but the low geografic location and the ship aproach will make impossible a long distance fire. It is a mystery were the fire control and observation post would be placed in Milregos Battery but Outão fort was in a way of speaking the best location.

Fig. 3 - Figueirinha Beach and the narrow channel to Setúbal Port. Outão and Milregos are near a the distance range to a ship is this channel is less than a one Km. 

Another problem that was found in the construction of Casalinho and Milregos Battery had to do with expropriation of land in Comenda Farm, since the two areas were property of the noble Armand Roger Ernest Marie Joseph. The final business was only made in 1929 with the heirds of the cond Armad, but all the process biggins in 1919. Probably the price of Casalinho, the slow expropriation process and the geographic positions that become the artillery fire efficiency reduced (only the area between Outão and Albarquel was easily coverin, specially in the Troia peninsula direction), resulted that Milregos Battery was never completed.  The chronic lack of money and the traditional neutrality that Portugal assumed especially by the internal problems and the need to secure the empire, translated into a come back of costal artillery in Setúbal area only when WWII biggin. In that time and becouse the planned Battery by all the country lead to some years of hard construction labour, hundreads of movel doble guns positions (AA and surface shoot) were spred in all the Portugal territory, since Europe to Ásia. (http://mindelosempre.blogspot.pt/2012_08_01_archive.html)

Fig. 4 -  A British Sunderland in Troia in II World War time. Even being neutral Portugal had to deal with hundreads of ships and planes in the territory between 1939 and 1945.

http://www.momentosdehistoria.com/MH_02_09_Marinha.htm

Fig.5 - "Ribeira da Ajuda" in Comenda Farm, about 5 km from Setúbal. Is right that Milregos Battery was started to build in the left margin but the place is almoust 1 km from that small river.

http://www.momentosdehistoria.com/MH_02_02_Marinha.htm

Fig.6 -  A portuguese shelter with a 75mm gun in France in WWI. Before fixed coastal artillery positions the guns used by the army in portuguese coast were mobil.  

http://troineiro.blogspot.pt/2015/03/coisas-de-setubal-bataria-de-milregos.html

Fig. 7 - As far we know this is was the correct location of  Milregos battery. Today is a camping park.

http://www.legislacao.org/tag2s/bateria

Fig.8 - Casalinho Battery was build with a rail system for when the 280 mm german guns fired. The magazine was similar to this one in Hawaii. It is very  unlikely that Milregos were completed like Casalinho because was a short range station.

http://www.monumentos.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=25038

Fig. 9 - Battery Drew in Angel Island at USA. Made the first stone in 1898 and ended in 1900. This picture was made in 1915. The used of Portugal Coastal Regiments of this type of guns never it happened, but USA used a similar type in 1917 at Azores.  

https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regimento_de_Artilharia_de_Costa

Fig .10 - The 6 inch guns of Macaulay Point between 1923 and 1938. Made to protect the harbours of Victoria and Esquimalt in Canada, they were obsolete in 1956. Portugal used for this missions Vickers and Krupp models in RAC.

http://www.momentosdehistoria.com/MH_05_03_02_Exercito.htm

Fig. 11 - Another 6 inch gun of the Macaulay Point but in a lower position. It is supposed that Milregos battery was a close range united, becouse in that area of Sado river the ships are very close to the coast.

https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artilharia_de_costa

Fig.12 - Battery Maxwell Keys in Philippines in the 30s. Another possibility for Milregos, though Portugal used German and British models.  

https://heportugal.wordpress.com/category/artilharia/

Fig. 13-  A 76,2 mm Japanese Gun, original made in 1914. Naval small caliber guns was another possibility. Was we know the 280mm were the bigger guns used in Potugal. Others were between 115mm and 234mm. 

http://www.jaegerplatoon.net/COASTAL_ARTILLERY3.htm

Fig. 14 - Gun inplacement in Wake Island with four 120mm artillery. In Portugal Coastal Artillery positions had in most cases 3 or 4 guns.

http://www.allworldwars.com/Photo-Interpreters-Guide-to-Japanese-Military-Installations-Part-III.html

Fig.15 - Guns to Coastal Artillery sometimes came from ships and Portugal was no exeption. The guns to Espalamaca Battery was from Battleship Almirante Reis who used from 203 mm to 47 mm caliber.

https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bateria_de_Costa_da_Espalamaca

Fig. 16 - A gun location from Espalamaca Battery. All the costal artellery positions in Portugal were like this.  

http://www.areamilitar.net/directorio/NAV.aspx?NN=6

Fig. 17 - Castanheira Battery in S, Miguel, Azores. We can see that most of the military position is underground.

http://www.operacional.pt/os-canhoes-da-castanheira-em-ponta-delgada%E2%80%A6/

Fig.18 - Piedade Battery was an old position near Lagos. Used between 1580 and 1834 was abandoned after. But others like Outão in Setúbal (about 5 km from Milregos) was uses since the Romans to the end of XX century. 

http://fortalezas.org/?ct=fortaleza&id_fortaleza=1361&muda_idioma=PT