Remarks: Tanker 449 (149 in US) climbing off of runway 21 en route to the "Dunphy Complex" of fires that were burning all around the area after dry lighting struck the area.
Remarks: Tanker #453 (#153 in US) on the ramp at RTS waiting for the next tasking. In the background are "Air Attack Seven-Delta-Lima" (AA-17DL[N17DL]) and the lead plane for #453, Bird Dog #130 (C-GWEW). The Canadian Bird Dogs are the equivalent of the Air Attack planes in the US, acting as lead planes by helping spot dangers and pick out the best lines for the tankers.
Remarks: A nice consolation (for a spotter at least) after the demise of Aero Union has been the arrival of several Canadian CV-580's in the lower 48 to fill in the large gap left by the AU P-3's that are no longer flying. One of the first ones to head down was Tanker #452 (#152 while in US) seen here preparing to head to the "Ray May" Fire to the South of Gardnerville, NV. Although that would not happen as the #1 engine would develop an issue and despite some good effort from the flight crew they had to stay grounded and wait for the support crew to arrive the next day to fix the issue. A big thanks goes to Captain John and his First Officer for showing me around and letting me spend some great time inside this beautiful bird! 1600px
Remarks: Built as a Convair 340 for Delta, delivered in August 1953 & registered N4810C. To North Central Airlines in 1968 as N5807. In 1977 to the Canadian register as C-FKFA for James Bay Energy Corp. Back to the US register in 1988 for Sea Airmotive, Alaska. Back to Canada in 1991 & used as a fire bomber. Stationed at Avalon for the 2010-11 summer.
