Airbus C295W water bomber

[magic wand]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c ... -1.3312324

Says that a company in BC is going to supply a water dropping tank for the aircraft.
The Airbus 295 is in the running to replace our SAR Buffalo aircraft.
Do you think having it available as a water bomber will sweeten the pot?

They say it will create jobs in BC.
http://www.cheknews.ca/alberni-valley-c ... ny-122231/

They claim it can be converted in a very short time from one role to another.
Sounds like a win win and could be used to back up fire bombing during peak periods.

Any thoughts?

[skybaron]

Coulson should opt for the DASH 8 Q400-MR instead to compound the interest in providing not only a way better aircraft in terms of performance, but also keeping/creating jobs in BC/Canada.

Cascade Aviation out of YXX tricks out the Q for a water bombing role.
Even the French have purchased 2 of these machines. Go figure.

I think the Q400 is the only option. 2x the power than that crappy Airbus, and virtually the same cost - cheaper maybe in long run too as it is a Cdn aircraft.

No shortage of dash trash drivers out there either. Win win.

[skybaron]

http://conair.ca/conair_fleet/q400-airtanker

[North Shore]

Hmm...I kinda wonder about the airframe longevity of those tanked Dashes - the wings are really thin at the root.

[xsbank]

I'm kinda thin at the root too but it never affected my ability to bomb...

[medi-whacked]

It does sound like it would make the aircraft more utilitarian. I am not sure how many Buffalo replacement aircraft
we are going to buy, but having these stationed across the country does make sense. It would be another role the aircraft could do.
Is the Dash 8-400 being considered for the Buffalo replacement?

[Gannet167]

The 295 is grossly inadequate as a SAR replacement aircraft. It's range is limited, it doesn't have sufficient space inside for all the kit, or for SAR Techs to stand up and walk around. It's proposal hinges on building and maintaining tons of extra SAR bases all over the country making the cost completely beyond other more capable airframes.

[dashx]

wings are really thin at the root

I'd say most (aircraft) wings are kind of thin at the roots.

[SAR_YQQ]

Military SAR does not include water bombing...