Random Ramblings: Aerial Wildland Firefighting

I have blogged about aerial wildland firefighting since 2009. I am not a firefighter and am not a pilot, just an interested bystander who wants to learn more and share what I learn here. Join me here as I blog on the aircraft and the pilots who fight wildland fires from the air in support of crews on the ground. I also blog on concerns affecting fire crews on the ground as well as other aviation and meteorology issues. Learn what it takes to do jobs that are staffed by the best of the best.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Walk around Conair's Convair CV 580 and Lockheed L-188 Airtankers

While I am not a pilot, I am what I call an aviation enthusiast. To that end I do enjoy seeing the workings of airtankers up close and personal. I rarely get such a view, depending for the most part on videos. I do not quite recall how I came across the video that I am sharing with you by Mile High Aviation on a walk around Conair Aviation's Convair 580 and Lockheed L-188 Electra airtankers with retired pilot John Lord. Allow over 16 minutes for the entire video.

I am reasonably certain that Conair is still flying Convair 580 airtankers. I am not sure if Conair is still flying Lockheed L-188 Electra airtankers. I am uncertain of when the video was filmed.

Correction (February 1, 2023) I made an error in this post. The Convair 580 air tankers were still flying in 2022, but that was their last fire season. In early 2021 Conair made plans to retire the Convair 580 air tankers and the Lockheed L-188 at the end of the 2022 season. They will be replaced by Q-400s, see this January 2021 post on Fire Aviation for more information

Enjoy the video