A MASSIVE C-130 Hercules called Thor is the latest weapon in NSW Rural Fire Service’s arsenal against bushfires this summer.
The new addition to the state's fire fighting fleet was unveiled this morning by Emergency Services Minister David Elliott and Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.
Thor can dump 15,000 litres of water or fire retardant at a time.
It will be based at the Royal Australian Air Force base at Richmond for the duration of the season so it can reach anywhere in NSW within an hour.
It’s the first time a water-bombing plane of this size has been used by the RFS.
“The people of NSW can rest easy tonight knowing Thor will be in the skies looking after them,” said Emergency Services Minister David Elliott.
Thor has been contracted by the RFS from the United States for the next two bushfire seasons.
Another plane, a DC-10 Very Large Air Tanker, will join Thor to fight fires in NSW on October 1.
The RFS is preparing for a busy bushfire season, according to Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.
“We’re shaping up for an above normal fire danger season,” he said.
“With warm and dry conditions predicted throughout the season, these aircraft are an important asset in our firefighting weaponry.”
