New McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin Helicopter N365JA Spotted at Bundaberg Airport Assisting Bushfire Fighting Efforts

The local bushfire fighting efforts continued on Thursday 14 March and local plane spotter Samuel F popped out to Bundaberg Airport to capture some photos of the aerial firefighting helicopters and aircraft.

One of the helicopters in particular that caught his attention was newly registered McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin N365JA "Helitack 439".

The Dauphin looked to come 'online' in February having previously operated in Japan as recently as October 2018 with the Kumamoto Disaster Prevention Firefighting Squadron as JA15KM.

https://flyteam.jp/

Of the firefighting aircraft, Air Tractor AT-802 water-bombers VH-BQE "Bomber 427" of Kennedy Aviation at Gunnedah in New South Wales and VH-NFY of Meandarra Aerial Spraying "Bomber 426" continued to come and go regularly, refilling with water and departing to the fire-zone.

Ayres Thrush S2R-T660 VH-FNV "Bomber 412" of South Burnett Air Services at Dalby also popped into Bundaberg Airport and departed also to the fire-zone.

Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS.350BA Squirrel helicopter VH-WHW "Firebird 421" was also photographed operating out of Bundaberg Airport in support of the firefighting efforts.

Over the course of this week, bushfires have flared up in both the nearby Woodgate and Goodwood areas although storms and rain that rolled through have also assisted firefighting efforts.

Sincere thanks to Samuel F for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Samuel Felgate  ©