SOUTHEND Airport welcomed a special visitor to its runway yesterday.
Staff and passengers were lucky to catch a glimpse of the Bombardier DASH 8 aircraft which had stopped off in the UK during a ferry flight from Canada to France.
It had come via Iceland and landed in Southend for a brief spell to refuel before taking to the skies and crossing the English channel.
The Canadian built machine has recently been converted into a fire-fighting water bomber, with a huge water tank installed underneath the fuselage which can carry up to 2,000 gallons of water.
It was originally used as a passenger airline.
Specialist group Conair, based at Abbottsford in Canada, were responsible for the conversion.
Experts say the modified aircraft will be used to tackle large scale forest fires that burn dangerously out of control.
The aircraft will be taken over by the Securite Civile in Marseille and be used during operations in the southern France region.
An unusual visitor today as this DH8D called in for some fuel. This aircraft is on a delivery flight from Canada (via Iceland) to France where it is to join the Securite Civile and carry out work within the water bomber group! #Southend #airport #aviation pic.twitter.com/9hzK2WwLxl
— London Southend Airport Air Traffic Control (@SENAirTraffic) January 10, 2022
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