
The first of six Dash 8-Q400MRs ordered by France has been delivered to the Sécurité Civile base Nimes-Garons this week. Built by Bombardier, modified by Conair and initially registered as C-FXFK, the aircraft has been delivered just in time for the fire season in France.
This new aircraft will join the two former Scandinavian Airlines Bombardier Dash 8-Q400s, modified by Cascade Aerospace, acquired back in 2005.
The new Q400MRs can fly 1,800 km at a speed of 600 km/h and carry up to ten tons of retarding products. The aircraft is equipped with the AN Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS), providing an image in the visible or infrared spectrum, and a ventral 10,000 litres tank.
Picture: Alexandre Dubath