De Havilland Canada DHC-8-300 'Fireswift'

The De-Havilland Dash 8 range of regional airliners are a common sight in the skies above the US and Europe. Over 1,250 examples have been built to date in four variants, the most common being the stretched Q400. In recent times, the type has been converted by various operators into a water bomber for fighting wildfires in remote areas. The shorter Q300 series has found use with the US Army as a reconnaissance and parachute-jumping platform.

Metrea have recently chosen the Dash 8-Q300 as the basis of their new advanced aerial firefighter known as the Fireswift. Differing from Q400 firefighters by having a fully integral water tank, the Fireswift can carry up to 5,700 litres of water, foam or fire retardant maximising the type’s versatility. In addition, the aircraft carries its own mission commander who can use the inbuilt optical systems to detect fires and develop an efficient attack profile.

The Fireswift has recently conducted its first flight and will be making its international debut at RIAT25 on static display as part of our ‘Eyes in the Skies’ theme.

Photo Credit: Aviation Photocrew