The Thrush was conceived in the 1965 era as North American Rockwell purchased the product line of Snow Aeronautical. The first Thrush with the first 400 gallon hopper was test flown in 1966. This launched a long and colorful history and helped lead the migration of the ag industry to larger hoppers and more powerful engines. North American Rockwell continued to produce the 400 gallon Thrush in Olney, Texas until March 1970 when it moved the total product line to Albany, Georgia. The Thrush 400 continued to be an aircraft that was very much in demand. Rockwell increased the production rate in late 1973 to one airplane per day. They maintained that rate until early 1975. The operator's desire to accomplish more work with less equipment initiated a number of innovative changes for the Thrush.
The Thrush's mission goes far beyond just crop spraying. It has also been successfully used for:
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- Sowing rice
- Feeding shrimp
- Top dressing for timber
- Fire bombing
- Special operations for drug eradication
- Surveillance of U.S. borders
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The Thrush has a long history in the ag industry as a dependable, economical, innovative, and rugged work horse. It continues to be the aircraft of choice for many operators throughout the world today.
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