Out at Bankstown this morning it was obvious that the fire season had started. Five firefighting choppers and Firescan 255, a Beech King Air, were all waiting or being prepared for action.
Bell 214B-1 N49732 (28005) 1976 model (Helitak 402) with belly water tank fitted. There was a ladder alongside each chopper, ready
for a quick get away.
Bell 214B-1 N214JL (28066 ) 1980 model registered to Helicopter Express in Chamblee Georgia (Helitak 404)
Bell 212 C-FVTS (Helitak 345)
Bell 212 C-FVTS (Helitak 345) with belly water tank fitted.
Bell 212 C-FVTS (Helitak 345) close up of the filler hose.
Sikorsky Skycrane S-64F N178AC (64097) 1970 model "Isabelle" registered to Erikson Air-Crane in Central Point Oregon. The crew were
preparing the aircraft and doing an engine run up.
Bell TH-1F VH-LIQ (66-1237) 1966 model operated by McDermott Aviation in Cooroy
Beech B200T King Air VH-LAB (
BT-23) 1982 model (Firescan 255) operated by Astro Aerospace in Nowra. Note the additional electronics,
aerials and sensors on top of, and beneath the fuselage. Firescan departed from Runway 29C with a quite shallow climb out.
Beech B200T King Air VH-LAB (
BT-23) 1982 model (Firescan 255) operated by Astro Aerospace in Nowra
Beech B200T King Air VH-LAB (
BT-23) 1982 model (Firescan 255) operated by Astro Aerospace Nowra. The modified flat area at the
bottom of the rear fuselage is for an infrared unit. One of the crew members was filling it with liquid nitrogen while I was there, in
preparation for departure.
