Convair CV-440/580, Conair Aviation

@ Sidney, British Columbia

May 2023

This Convair 440 started life in 1956 with Belgian airline Sabena, the first of many airlines this airframe saw until retirement in 1999 and conversion to firefighting duties by Conair Aviation. In 1968 this aircraft was updated to the CV-580 configuration with turboprop engines, enlarged tailfin and other structural mods. The Conair airtanker conversion allowed the CV-580 to carry 2,100 gallons of retardant in a belly tank. Her last flight was in September 2022 when she was delivered to the British Columbia Aviation ...