As the climate changes it is even more vital to protect the world’s forests. They provide both the ‘lungs’ of the world and the natural resources for many industries. This book looks at both the past and the current selection of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and support aircraft tasked with protecting our natural environment from fire. Covering America, Canada, Russia, southern Europe and other nation states, the operators of these fleets – governments and private contractors – are looked at, along with their aircraft, as they go about the dangerous task of protecting the world’s forests.

With over 230 images, this book covers all the aircraft types used in the water bomber role – World War Two fighters and bombers, piston-powered airliners and cargo aircraft of the 1950s, turboprop aircraft, wide-body jets, as well as the custom-built water bombers and, finally, both large and small helicopters with tanks or under-slung loads.