Picture: new "Fat Cat" BAe 146 waterbomber flies...

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.flightglobal.com/Assets/GetA ... emID=52495

3 hours ago Source:

A new-look firefighting adaptation of the BAe 146-/Avro RJ-series of regional airliners has been flown for the first time for commercial operator Conair Aviation,
and the system is expected to enter detailed testing in Canada later this year.

Now sporting an external conformal tank beneath its fuselage, which is capable of containing 3,000 USgal of water or retardant,
the modified air tanker completed its milestone flight on 21 August,
says Mark Taylor, business development engineer for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft.

Aerodynamic testing and handling checks are continuing, he says, and "the aircraft is performing as expected".

Four operators have so far signed up for a combined 12 firefighting examples of the BAe 146/Avro RJ, with these also including Air Spray Aviation Services, Minden Air and Tronos.

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