The following photographs were taken at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT) Phoenix,Arizona on 04-01-2001 and show a Canadair CL.215 water bomber,registered with Canadian marks C-GHVX on 19-01-2001 to Bombadier Inc,North Bay,Ontario,the serial is Greek Air Force 2055 which is also its manufacturing serial number,this aircraft was originally built as series 215-811 but has now been modified to turboprop configuration,the plate near the tail states a model CL.415,at the time that the photograph was taken she was on her way back to Greece.
The CL.415 Water bomber is powered with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF Turboprops which give a cruise speed of 240 mph,this magnificent machine is in service throughout the world with fire fighting organisations,a world beater the aircraft originally appeared with Pratt & Whitney R-2800-C-A3 radial piston engines,the design can be retrofitted with the newer turboprops.
The type made its first flight back on 23rd October 1967 and made its first water take offs in 1968 with full certification being obtained for Canada & the U.S.A during 1969.
A total of 112 aircraft had been delivered up until March 1989 going to the governments of France,Italy,Spain,Thailand,Venezuala,Yugoslavia,a nd 8 Canadian provinces,the aircraft can scoop up salt or fresh water via scoops positioned underneath the machine,or ground loading at airports where retardents such as borate is added with a capacity of 1,412 U.S Gallons,the aircraft have also been used to drop foam onto oil fires using a foam injection device fitted on board.
Patrol and rescue are also ideal roles for this type of aircraft and she can be configured for flight engineer,navigator and two observers in this role.
The Turboprop version was announced in August 1986 and became available as a retrofit for the many delighted operators during 1990,44 per cent of sales revolve around firefighting and aerial spraying,the other sector being maritime,military or surveillance tasks.
Ferry range with a 1,950 lb payload is 1,295 miles,a true workhorse serving the nations of the world.
Note the enormous endplate fins on the winglets,a feature of the CL.215T these direct eddy currents upwards and away from the airframe.
Just visible are the huge and effective fowler flaps which give a stall speed of 88 mph at a 15 degree setting.
The well sealed undercarriage units which fold neatly into the fuselage sides.
The huge water tanks can be filled in ten minutes whilst skimming the water at 81 mph.
Mooring connector and the specially strengthened hull sections are evident in this view.
Superb engineering is the keynote of of the CL.215 a machine built to withstand harsh operating conditions,the high standards of sealed rivetting are evident here..
The new winglets on the CL.215T also produce additional lift as well as serving airflow deflection,this one is a tough bird to withstand low level buffeting and speedy retardent delivery.
And a view of the starboard side showing the angled assymetric tail fins.
The CL.415 Water bomber is powered with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF Turboprops which give a cruise speed of 240 mph,this magnificent machine is in service throughout the world with fire fighting organisations,a world beater the aircraft originally appeared with Pratt & Whitney R-2800-C-A3 radial piston engines,the design can be retrofitted with the newer turboprops.
The type made its first flight back on 23rd October 1967 and made its first water take offs in 1968 with full certification being obtained for Canada & the U.S.A during 1969.
A total of 112 aircraft had been delivered up until March 1989 going to the governments of France,Italy,Spain,Thailand,Venezuala,Yugoslavia,a nd 8 Canadian provinces,the aircraft can scoop up salt or fresh water via scoops positioned underneath the machine,or ground loading at airports where retardents such as borate is added with a capacity of 1,412 U.S Gallons,the aircraft have also been used to drop foam onto oil fires using a foam injection device fitted on board.
Patrol and rescue are also ideal roles for this type of aircraft and she can be configured for flight engineer,navigator and two observers in this role.
The Turboprop version was announced in August 1986 and became available as a retrofit for the many delighted operators during 1990,44 per cent of sales revolve around firefighting and aerial spraying,the other sector being maritime,military or surveillance tasks.
Ferry range with a 1,950 lb payload is 1,295 miles,a true workhorse serving the nations of the world.
Note the enormous endplate fins on the winglets,a feature of the CL.215T these direct eddy currents upwards and away from the airframe.
Just visible are the huge and effective fowler flaps which give a stall speed of 88 mph at a 15 degree setting.
The well sealed undercarriage units which fold neatly into the fuselage sides.
The huge water tanks can be filled in ten minutes whilst skimming the water at 81 mph.
Mooring connector and the specially strengthened hull sections are evident in this view.
Superb engineering is the keynote of of the CL.215 a machine built to withstand harsh operating conditions,the high standards of sealed rivetting are evident here..
The new winglets on the CL.215T also produce additional lift as well as serving airflow deflection,this one is a tough bird to withstand low level buffeting and speedy retardent delivery.
And a view of the starboard side showing the angled assymetric tail fins.