Kaman K-MAX N131KA — Firefighting Water Drop

📸 The Photograph

The most visually dynamic print in this archive group — a dark red Kaman K-MAX, registration N131KA, carrying a suspended firefighting bucket over forested terrain with snow-covered mountains filling the background. The bucket is actively releasing a column of water mid-drop, frozen in a single dramatic instant. Close inspection confirms the N131KA tail registration and the K-MAX name on the fuselage.

🚁 About The Aircraft — Kaman K-MAX

N131KA is documented as K-MAX serial A94-0002, the second prototype/test aircraft built for the program. Research notes it first flew in 1993 and later became important in K-MAX UAV/autonomous test work, including Marine Corps demonstrations. This fire-bucket scene is a perfect match for the aircraft's heavy-lift, precision external-load purpose — K-MAX firefighting images connect the design directly to real-world emergency-response work, and a live bucket drop is far more dramatic than a routine ramp photo.

🗂️ About The Archive — Jeffrey C. Evans

Jeffrey C. Evans (1945-2025) was a respected Southern California helicopter historian, researcher, and photographer, and a longtime member of both the Vertical Flight Society and Vertical Aviation International. He co-authored The Bell 47 Helicopter Story. This print was acquired directly from Evans's California estate as part of a larger archive of helicopter photographs, slides, and aviation documents.

🔍 Condition

8 x 10 inch color archive print on photo paper — a modern archive/research print, not represented as a period-original press photograph. Light handling wear consistent with archive storage is possible, including minor edge or corner wear and faint surface gloss marks. Please review all photos closely as they are part of the description.

📌 Item Specifics

📦 Shipping & Care

Ships free, flat, between rigid stiffeners to prevent bending or creasing. Tracked shipping included on every order.

🛡️ Buyer Confidence

Photos are part of the description — please review all images closely before purchasing.