In 1983 A97-011 was used as a fire bomber to test the suitability of large aircraft to the Australian bushfire environment. Authorities decided smaller aircraft such as cropdusters and bucket equipped helicopters were better because of their flexibility and ability to operate close to any fire front. In recent years large aircraft, up to DC-10 size, have been added to the Australian summer fire bomber fleet, supplied mainly by US contractors. A97-011 is now with the RAAF Museum.