N473NA

This entry covers airframe N473NA, a British Aerospace BAe 146-200A built in 1985 with manufacturer serial E2045. The airframe is registered in the US and is owned by NEPTUNE AVIATION SERVICES INC of Missoula, MT, US, reflecting its conversion from a passenger configuration to a special-mission role. The airframe is operated as a converted aerial firefighting tanker with a published valuation of $14,000,000, and its registry and ownership history are notable for the documented corporate ownership and the aircraft’s specialized mission fit. Condition highlights center on its role-specific modifications rather than original passenger cabin furnishings.

The cabin of N473NA has been converted for aerial firefighting with a tanker installation and other special-mission fittings, replacing or supplanting typical passenger layouts and reflecting the airframe’s operational re-role. Operated out of Missoula, MT by NEPTUNE AVIATION SERVICES INC, the platform is employed on short-to-medium haul mission profiles consistent with wildfire suppression support, using its range and cruise capability to position for repeated drops and rapid turnaround. Maintenance considerations for this airframe emphasize tanker system inspections and airframe wear associated with low-level operations and mission-specific modifications. The aircraft’s interior and mission systems are therefore oriented toward payload delivery, mission equipment access, and durability rather than passenger amenities.

The airframe belongs to the BAe 146 family, an aircraft niche known for quiet operation and short-field performance, which lends itself to special-mission conversions like firefighting. Competing choices for similar roles include other regional jets and converted freighter types; demand for a converted BAe 146-200A reflects operators seeking a balance of payload, field performance, and availability on the secondary market. Resale and maintenance considerations for N473NA center on the lifecycle of its Lycoming ALF502 engines, mission-specific structural modifications, and the specialized nature of its tanker conversion when assessing market value and future operator interest.