Ontario MNR Water Bombers
Moderator
Yes, MNR use six Twin Otters for water bombing. I understand that they work very well, I've seen them in action a number of times. They bombed a fire about two miles from my house a year and a half ago.
I don't know their capacity, but it would be more than a ton of water.
I don't know their capacity, but it would be more than a ton of water.
I found this lovely video - aah de Havilland!
It shows water bombing from Beavers, Otters and Twin Otters. Some of the shots show the over-float tanks, including an on the step pickup. It also shows drops from in-float tanks, which must be filled while on the step.
There are also some nice stills showing improvised engine-changes in the bush.
It shows water bombing from Beavers, Otters and Twin Otters. Some of the shots show the over-float tanks, including an on the step pickup. It also shows drops from in-float tanks, which must be filled while on the step.
There are also some nice stills showing improvised engine-changes in the bush.
Moderator
Spent hours searching the www, still can't find the DCH-6 Float Bomber Capacity
In the mean time, this information should get you close.
https://www.bushplane.com/index.php?id=waterbomb
There is a minimum amount of water to be carried before it actually reaches the ground in a salvo. I was doing some design work to have a Cessna Caravan become a water bomber, but it won't carry enough weight in water to make it effective. The Twin Otter seems to be about the minimum, but they work well....
I have visited this fine museum a number of times, and highly recommend it
Also, have a look for the book: Aerial Firefighting, by Wolfgang Jendsch. I have a copy, and it's a very informative read.
Last edited by Pilot DAR; 26th Dec 2019 at 02:19. Reason: Added book reference
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If you're really stuck for the answer, I can ask when I see the maintenance guys next spring. I knew the gentlemen who designed the mod, though they're both pretty well retired now.
In the mean time, this information should get you close.
https://www.bushplane.com/index.php?id=waterbomb
There is a minimum amount of water to be carried before it actually reaches the ground in a salvo. I was doing some design work to have a Cessna Caravan become a water bomber, but it won't carry enough weight in water to make it effective. The Twin Otter seems to be about the minimum, but they work well....
I have visited this fine museum a number of times, and highly recommend it
Also, have a look for the book: Aerial Firefighting, by Wolfgang Jendsch. I have a copy, and it's a very informative read.
In the mean time, this information should get you close.
https://www.bushplane.com/index.php?id=waterbomb
There is a minimum amount of water to be carried before it actually reaches the ground in a salvo. I was doing some design work to have a Cessna Caravan become a water bomber, but it won't carry enough weight in water to make it effective. The Twin Otter seems to be about the minimum, but they work well....
I have visited this fine museum a number of times, and highly recommend it
Also, have a look for the book: Aerial Firefighting, by Wolfgang Jendsch. I have a copy, and it's a very informative read.
The floats hold 225 gallons of water each. The water is collected through a probe on the bottom of the float as the aircraft skims the water on the step. There are little openings covered by a flap near the top of the float. When the float reaches capacity it starts to spill out the little opening. It is visible from the pilot seats via a rear-view mirror outside the pilot windows. At that point the pilot flips a switch that retracts the water-collection probe.
