So, APS aviation types - ID this plane

[MicroBalrog]

What is this thing?

It was used as a firefighting plane when I took the picture, if that helps.

[Manedwolf]

Looks like a Cessna 188.

Different front cowling than any I've seen, though.

[MillCreek]

Hmm, I don't see the wing braces.  So I don't think it is either a Cessna 188, or my first guess, an Ag Commander. 

[Manedwolf]

Oops. Close to an Ag Commander. Now it seems to me to be an Ayres Thrush with a turboprop. I was looking at the nose more closely, "duh, turboprop"...

http://data3.primeportal.net/hangar/don_busack/s2r-g5_thrush/images/s2r-g5_thrush_017_of_168.jpg

It's an ag aircraft, used for cropdusting or firefighting. That's why it has the tall cockpit. Cropdusters want to be able to all but see the belly of the plane.

[Fly320s]

Air Tractor?

Although I don't see the spray nozzles on the wing.  Oh, it's a firebomber, no spray nozzles.  Just one belly tank.

Airtractor site: http://www.airtractor.com/Default.aspx?p=5967

[MillCreek]

Since it has two legs on each landing gear, it is not an AT-503.   

PS: I agree with Maned.  I am leaning towards a Ayres Thrush as well.

[Nitrogen]

Air Tractor?

Although I don't see the spray nozzles on the wing.

Seconding this.  I don't think you'd see the nozzles at this angle, anyway, as they are under the wing slightly trailing behind and beneath the control surfaces.

Then again, the tail does look wrong for an Air Tractor.

EDIT: Dangit youre right about the landing gear.

[MillCreek]

Take a gander here: http://www.thrushaircraft.com/indexnew.php?lang=eng&page=5&thrush=2

I am leaning toward a Thrush 510 Turbo.

[Fly320s]

The Thrush and the Airtractor could be twins.  I wonder if they are/were originally one type.

Yep, I think it is a Thrush.

[280plus]

it's eithr a B-1-RD or a GU-11, I'm not sure which. 

[Fly320s]

No, too small to be a B1RD.  Maybe a B1RD1E edition.

[280plus]

I see, thanks! 

[Jamisjockey]

Alot of the ag aircraft look so close that even the trained eye can't tell 'em apart.  After looking at the photos, I agree with it being a Turbo Thrush.

[280plus]

As opposed to a Hush Thrush?

[Brad Johnson]

AT-301 with a turbine conversion and wingtip extensions?

*EDIT TO ADD*

Prize goes to Jamis and 320s.

I did some digging and it's an Ayers Turbo Thrush.  The twin strut gear and funky angle change along the chin is the giveaway.

Brad

[Leatherneck]

I thought first an AgCat, but I believe it's a Thrush, perhaps with a retrofit.

TC

[Jamisjockey]

You can see the chin angle here


And the wheel struts here


 

[TexasRifleman]

My uncle ran a small agro air operation in West Texas for many years.

Keep in mind that lots of these operations run on low budgets, there are lots of shall we say "field mods" to keep these things in the air.

Many of them operate under "Limited" type certificates which allow for a little more leeway in do-it-yourself work.

But it does look more like a Thrush than anything.

The Thrush can go in reverse (on the ground of course).  I used to watch them back up next to the chemical tank for refilling.
Pretty bizarre.

[Jamisjockey]

My uncle ran a small agro air operation in West Texas for many years.

Keep in mind that lots of these operations run on low budgets, there are lots of shall we say "field mods" to keep these things in the air.

Many of them operate under "Limited" type certificates which allow for a little more leeway in do-it-yourself work.

But it does look more like a Thrush than anything.

The Thrush can go in reverse (on the ground of course).  I used to watch them back up next to the chemical tank for refilling.
Pretty bizarre.

That's not bizarre at all.  This airplane does it easily and is a touch bigger than a Thrush.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRcbJvy_blo
Please note the Jolly Roger flying proudly.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMGR-352
Oorah!

[Fly320s]

I've power-backed airplanes.  No big deal.

American's MD80s backed out of the gate on a regular basis.  Don't do it anymore, AFAIK.  Gas is pricey.

[TexasRifleman]

I've power-backed airplanes.  No big deal.

Backing them up between a fuel truck and a chemical truck?

Yeah, it's a big deal.

Rear view mirror and steerable tailwheel.  It's harder than it sounds.  Looked pretty tough anyway, I never got to try.

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

What is this thing?

Yellow?

[Tallpine]

When used for fire suppression, we just call them SEATs

Single Engine Air Tanker

[Gewehr98]

C-130s do it all the time. They have to stop after a bit after backing, and let the engine temps cool down due to lack of intake air over time, but for short field work, it's a neat trick.  Steerable nosewheels and differential throttling gives those guys plenty of pinpoint parking capability.

You want something impressive, watch a plane start another jet or turboprop on the ramp with nothing but the exhaust from aircraft #1.

I watched a KC-135 "blow start" a C-130 behind it that way once.  Impressive.

[Jamisjockey]

I was in 29palms when the C17 was being tested.  It backs up, too.  They were backing it up on a taxiway and buckled the temp-runway Marshall Matting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl-RTyqAEN8