Convair water bombers were subjected to an Australian-first trial by the Bushfire CRC over the 2010-11 fire season to determine the aircraft’s suitability for Victorian firefighting,
Two Convair CV580 fire-fighting aircraft, on a 12-week lease from Canada, conducted a series of trial drops to test the aircraft’s capability over a variety of terrains, including forested areas.
The $4 million Convair trial was conducted by researchers from the Bushfire CRC. In the 2009-10 bushfire season the Bushfire CRC conducted a similar trial on a DC 10 water bomber.
Representatives from the National Aerial Firefighting Centre and other states witnessed some of the trials.
