Help from old warbirds

CANADA HAS LONG BEEN recognized as one of the world's premier aerial-fire-fighting territories. In Alberta province, a company called Air Spray is responsible for protecting thousands of forest acres spread out over a territory that is twice the size of the UK.

The company was formed in 1967 to provide aerial tanker and bird-dog services to the Alberta government. Air operations are carried out from Red Deer airport on the north side of Calgary. Air Spray's air tanker fleet (35 aircraft) consists of three aircraft types, each with their own unique capabilities. The Lockheed L-188 Electra is a four-engine turbine, heavy-retardant tanker, the Douglas A-26 Invader offers speed and agility in the medium tanker category, and the Canadair CL-215 is a purpose-built skimmer aircraft that can refill its tanks from lakes at any remote area. All 16 Air Spray A-26s are ex-USAF bombers; some saw action during WW II, Korea, or Vietnam. Air Spray plans to retire its A-26s some time in 2004, but they could still fly 10 more years.

To assist water-bombers in their task, Air Spray uses different bird-dog aircraft (Commander 690/Citation) to direct and coordinate airdrop operations. In 1987, Air Spray formed a Target Division with an F-86 Sabre for the target needs of the Canadian Armed Forces. Flying a water-bomber mission is a dangerous business! With the exception of one fatal accident in 2000 after a fire broke out in the main hangar, Air Spray has always maintained a top service and safety level.

Thanks to Perry Dancause, Air Spray's operations manager, for his help with this article.

-Philippe & Francois Notre

Copyright Air Age Publishing Dec 2003
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved