Canadair CL-215

In 1967, the CL-215 waterbomber took its maiden flight and is the only aircraft in the world designed specifically to fight forest fires. This twin-engined amphibian is fitted with probes that can scoop up 5455 litres of water from a lake in ten seconds while skimming the surface at 110 km/hour. The CL-215 can normally achieve 75 pick-ups and drops, with only one refuelling stop during the course of a single day's operations against a fire 160 kilometres from its base. On a number of occasions, single CLK-215s have made over 100 drops totalling more than 545,500 litres in one day, spraying nearly 600 tons of water.

The cameo features the portrait of Paul Gagnon, of Quebec City, who spent over 45 years as pilot, administrator and consultant in the field of aviation. He started flying in 1949 and was first employed as a bush pilot until 1955. As Director of Air Services for the Quebec Government, he was involved in the 1962 development and launching of the CL-215.

The reverse of the coin was designed by Toronto artist, Peter Mossman. The brother of a World War II flier, Mossman has always loved airplanes and has made a specialty of aviation art. As well as many paintings and prints that hang in the Canadian War Museum, the Trenton Air Force Museum and a number of squadron messes, Mossman also designed the de Havilland Beaver aviation coins. 
This coin is the eighteenth issue of Aviation collection and contains 20 coins that have been released between 1990 and 1999.

AVIATION - CANADAIR CL-215 - 1998 CANADIAN COINS 18 is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 17- MEANS OF TRANSPORT and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.