BAE Systems-built and supported BAe 146/Avro RJ Airtankers, which make up a large proportion of the next-generation firefighting fleet in North America, continue to play a pivotal role in combating the ever increasing numbers and costs of wildfires across the continent.

On September 3, 1981 the first BAe 146 regional jetliner took to the skies from the British Aerospace airfield at Hatfield, Hertfordshire. The aircraft – and its later-build successor, the Avro RJ – was destined to become Britain’s most successful jet airliner.

While the increasing need for larger and newer regional jets is upon us, one would expect to see the older models cast aside for the shiny new toy your local airline got. However, despite the BAe 146 seeing its numbers drop from 387 aircraft built to just 123 in operation, the aircraft has made sure it will continue to be seen in the skies for some time to come.