North Carolina Forestry Service Lead Plane "Fire Boss" Super Tucano

[AeroplaneDriver]

The North Carolina Forestry Service operated two Navy surplus T-34C Turbo Mentors as "Lead Planes" guiding aerial firefighting aircraft, spotting drop zones.  As NC saw more and more forest fires into the 21st century these aircraft were worked harder and harder, until in the summer of 2021 a Turbo Mentor suffered structural failure at low altitude during an firefighting mission resulting in the loss of two crew.  Subsequent inspection found fatigue cracking in major structural components of the remaining Turbo Mentor, which was immediately grounded. 

US Forestry Service King Airs filled in for the remainder of the 2021 fire season as the NC State Forestry Service scrambled to find a replacement.  After looking at the mission profile and available platforms the NCFS ordered three Embraer EMB314 Super Tucanos in December 2021. Equipped with advanced imaging technology for both the firefighting and forest management mission and an advanced mission management suite in the back seat, the first Super Tucano entered service in July 2022, with the full fleet being operational for the 2023 fire season. 


Busy week at work starts tomorrow, and I have a RW 1/48 A-6E on the bench so it will be a week or two before I get going on this one, but this is my plan. 

[Old Wombat]

 

[Dizzyfugu]

I like the idea

I have something similar on the agenda for this GB, even though on a more vintage aircraft basis and based in Canada. 

[Captain Canada]

Oooh I like it ! Good thing all them lefties keep starting fires so we can blame global worming  I mean watch Super Tucanos and other fire bombers !