Airborne Firefighting and Surveillance Aircraft Fighting Rockhampton Bushfires

Several bushfires have sprung up around the Rockhampton area in recent days, and Rockhampton-based and other water bombing and surveillance aircraft have been noted operating out of Rockhampton Airport.

Ben O saw some of the aerial action first hand from his front veranda, as a fire raged in the Mount Archer area, close to Rockhampton city.

Rockhampton-based R-Mach Aviation Ayres S2R Turbo Thursh VH-NFF has been noted fighting the fires as "Bomber 407".






Another Turbo Thrush - VH-NFZ - which is operated by Aero Professional Services at Emerald, was also captured by Ben O flying as "Bomber 400".





Also spotted by Ben O in the air over his house was Air Tractor AT802A VH-BQE, which is operated by Meandarra Aerial Spraying.










It is believed that another AT802A - VH-LHW - which is also operated by Meandarra Aerial Spraying is also in the Rockhampton Area.

Lastly, locally-based Cessna 182 VH-RDQ has been operating from the R-Mach Aviation hangar at Rockhampton Airport, and operates surveillance flights over the fire zone. It has been noted using the callsign "Spotter 403".



We thank Ben O and Don W for their information and photos, and hope that there has been minimal property damage.