I’m no expert on water bombers, but I wonder if the heavier use of helicopters has to do with the ease of getting water? As I understand it, water bombers need a pretty sizable body of water to do their thing and that’s not always available (or if it is, it could be a longer flight away).
Probably; that bomber used to fill up at Sproat Lake and then respond to fires all over Vancouver Island and the inner islands. It had amazing range, but after each dump it would have to fly all the way to a large freshwater lake with a clear central filling lane.
I remember when I was young hearing stories of someone hiking Strathcona Park and finding snorkel and flippers in an old burn, but that’s technically impossible with the Martin Mars configuration. Makes a good story though.
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