“Flybe” waterbomber

As Scramble reported earlier, Conair of Canada acquired eleven former Flybe Dash 8-Q400s in January this year. These aircraft had become available after the demise of the British airline, which was at that time Europe’s largest operator of the type.

Conair, known for its experience in converting airliners and maritime surveillance aircraft into firebombers, intended to use the former Flybe Dash 8-Q400s. The first aircraft that was converted into a Q400AT (Air Tanker) is C-FFQG. It was seen during testflights from Conair’s homebase, Abbotsford (BC).

C-FFQG, although it has already been rebuilt by adding an underbelly droptank, shows much of its former identity. The new firebomber still has its Flybe livery, from the time it flew as a 78 passenger airliner, registered G-KKEV.

Delivered to Flybe in April 2008, G-KKEV was withdrawn and stored in Manchester from March to October 2020. It then came into the ownership of German lessor HEH Aviation, which stored it in Weeze, Germany and Maastricht, Netherlands before its transfer to Canada.

G-KKEV arrived at Conair’s Abbotsford headquarters on 21 February this year, and acquired its new Canadian registration on 8 March.

Photo: Kyle Clarkson