Firebomber aircraft

[Dave Homewood]

Have any firebombing aircraft ever been employed in NZ?

I know helicopters are commonly used. I am asking about fixed-wing planes. Have maybe topdressers ever been employed to douse fires using water in their hoppers?

I know the RNZAF used to have a special section based in the summers at Rotorua, in the 1940's and 1950's at least, flying Harvards and light aircraft types to spot fires in the vast Government forestry plantations there. But I've not heard of any fixed-wing types used to stop fires.

If they have never been used here, is there a reason why not?

[Bruce]

PAC Crescos have been used on a number of fires in the South Island in the last few years, but obviously not enough..... Phoenix aviation (Appropriate name) and Taumaranui aerial co-op have waterbombing kits for thier Crescos, which can be fitted in about 30 minutes when required. I have seen a demo of the first TAC Cresco (ZK-TMN) on the hardstand out the front of the PAC building at Hamilton - this was over a Tonne of foamy water and retardant dumped on the spot - awesome. The aircraft actually took off and landed from the apron area - despite buildings in the way!. The option to use the fixed wing aircraft is not often used - the best use would be in conjunction with Helicopters - Crescos on the fire front and choppers tidying up the spots left over and in awkward places. A Canadair 415 in NZ would be nice

[Dave Homewood]

Cheers Bruce. I thought I'd heard of Crescos doing fire bombing but wasn't sure if I'd dreamt it. They'd be awesome to watch!

[Bruce]

Aparently about 1997ish there was an exercise at Taupo to prove the concept and familiarise the pilots, from memory there were three Crescos (TACs Cresco, Wanganui aero work and Phoenix) and they dealt with a specially set fire - the first Cresco pass put it out, but all the others carried on for the training. despite all that, it seems strange that they are not called on more often to deal with fires before they get out of control - they were called in very late in the Blenheim fires a few years back.
and yup - they are awesome to watch......