Help identify this aircraft?

[Saab Dastard]

I know this is not really History or even Nostalgia, but I know the impressive array of talent that lurks within this forum, so I hope you will forgive me!

I saw this aircraft at Toulon Airport earlier this year - I assume that it is a fire-fighting aircraft, but if anyone can identify it I would be grateful!

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/Saab-Dastard/ToulonAirport.jpg

Thanks!

SD

[spekesoftly]

Canadair CL215T

[the incivil beast]

It's indeed a Canadair , but rather a CL-415 than a CL-215T (the differences are not that visible actually : wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CL-415)).

The French "Sécurité Civile" has replaced all the CL-215s (not CL-215Ts as previously mentionned !) by CL-415s in 1996 (see here (http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadair_CL-215) : "Alle toestellen waren in 1996 vervangen door CL-415’s" All aircraft have been replaced by CL415s in 1996 or better, there (http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avion_bombardier_d'eau), in French, all the history of French water bombers, including the losses and casualties, quite heavy actually)

[pigboat]

The music's kinda cheezy, but this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY8C0VruLys) is what they do best.

[ICT_SLB]

Pigboat,
Great video but not all 415s - there's a lot of standard Canadair CL215 footage and even one quick air to air of the short-lived CL215T before they added the tail fins & wing end plates for stability - those old radials do more than just power the props. Some pretty heavy hull & scoop damage too.

[Saab Dastard]

Many thanks all - the collective knowledge never fails to amaze (and amuse)
:D :ok:

SD