An Avro RJ85 very large firebomber will be in action in Victoria this summer to complement the state's fleet of smaller attack tankers.
Operated jointly by Canadian company Conair, and local firebombing and aerial ag company Field Air, the RJ85 will be based at Avalon Airport.
Already, the services of the RJ85 have been called upon to combat fires burning around the Albury-Wodonga area this week.
The RJ85 firebomber is a variant of the BAe 146 four-engine airliner, with the internal tank holding around 11,000 litres of retardant or 12,000 litres of water.
Four Lycoming LF507 engine developing 7000 pounds of thrust each push the aircraft along at a cruise TAS of 380 knots at FL180, with the aircraft slowing to drop at only 125 knots.
More information on the RJ85 is available from the Field Air website.