N470NA

The airframe bearing tail number N470NA is a British-built British Aerospace BAe 146-200A completed in 1986 with manufacturer serial number E2049. The airframe is registered in the United States and is owned by corporation NEPTUNE AVIATION SERVICES INC of Missoula, MT, US, which operates the type primarily in aerial firefighting roles. The airframe has been configured/modified for aerial firefighting (retardant tank installation) and retains a US registration record reflecting its conversion from its original transport layout to a tanker role. Condition and valuation details are operator-held; public records emphasize the airframe’s specialized mission equipment and limited passenger capability when employed as a tanker.

The aircraft’s cabin is purposefully adapted for dual roles: when configured for firefighting the interior houses a retardant tank and associated delivery plumbing and systems, while retaining limited passenger seating for repositioning or auxiliary transport when not engaged in tanker missions. Avionics and mission systems are operator-specific; Neptune Aviation outfits this airframe to support low-altitude retardant delivery profiles, short-turnaround operations, and frequent field maintenance cycles. Typical mission profiles involve departure from the operator’s base in Missoula, MT, staging to wildfire incident locations, repeated low-level passes for retardant dispersal within the airframe’s operational cruise and ceiling envelope, and return to base for reloading and inspection. Maintenance considerations center on structural fatigue from frequent low-altitude operations, specialized tank system maintenance, and engine support for four Honeywell ALF502R-5 turbofans.

The BAe 146-200A occupies a niche as a regional, short-field, high-wing four-engine jet adaptable to special missions such as aerial firefighting; its relatively high-lift wing and four-engine layout support low-speed handling desirable in tanker work. Competing platforms in the firefighting retrofit market include converted regional jets and turboprops, but the BAe 146 series is noted for quiet operation and steep approach capability. Buyers and operators consider airframe age, aftermarket conversion status, parts availability for Honeywell ALF engines, and the specialized resale market for tank-equipped transports when evaluating acquisition or disposition.