Elvis (helicopter)
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"Elvis" is the nickname of an Erickson S-64 Air-Crane Helitanker (N179AC) which has gained fame in Australia as a highly visible and valuable tool in bushfire suppression. The helicopter, which can hold 9,500 litres of water or foam mix, has been brought out by the Victorian Government from the USA for each fire season since 2001-2002. The aircraft obtained its nickname due to time that it spent working for the United States National Guard in Memphis.
Erickson Air-Crane Helitankers were first brought out to Victoria in December 1997. The first one, dubbed by locals as "Eric the Water Bomber" (N223AC), was used to fight a fire in Frankston and the Caledonia fire in the Alpine National Park, and was brought out again for subsequent fire seasons up to 2000-2001. On December 27, 2001 "Elvis", which had arrived in Melbourne, was immediately deployed to Bankstown, New South Wales to help with fire fighting efforts in the Sydney region and was lauded for its role in helping to save 300 homes. It was also credited with helping save the lives of 14 firemen in the Burragorang Valley in New South Wales.
Two other Aircranes, "Georgia Peach" (N154AC) and "Incredible Hulk" (N164AC), were rushed out from the U.S.A on board a Russian Antonov An-124 air freighter to assist with the 2001-2002 Sydney bushfires following the successful deployment of Elvis.
A number of other Aircranes and Skycranes have subsequently been brought out to Australia for each bushfire season and based in Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
[edit] Aircrane (AC) and Skycrane (HT) deployments in Australia
- 1997-1998 Victoria: "Millie" (N223AC)
- 2001-2002 Victoria: "Elvis" (N179AC); New South Wales: "Georgia Peach" (N154AC) & "Incredible Hulk" (N164AC)
- 2002-2003 Victoria: "Elvis" (N179AC); New South Wales: "Georgia Peach" (N154AC) & "Incredible Hulk" (N164AC)
- 2003-2004 Victoria: "Elvis" (N179AC); New South Wales: "Isabelle" (N178AC)
- 2004-2005 Victoria: "Elvis" (N179AC); New South Wales: "Rocky" (N722HT)
- 2006-2007 Victoria: "Elvis" (N179AC) & "Malcolm" (N217AC); New South Wales: "Shania" (N720HT); Australian Capital Territory: "Delilah" (N194AC)
[edit] References
- Erickson Air-Crane: "Elvis" saves the building
- Erickson Air-Crane: Firefighting with the Erickson S-64 Aircrane Helitanker
- BBC News: Elvis King of the Firefighters (January 3, 2002)
- 7:30 Report: Elvis seen fighting New South Wales fires (Broadcast: January 3, 2002)
- Planetark.org: Elvis the helicopter saves Australian firefighters
- NSW Rural Fire Service – AirCranes farewell Sydney
- NSW Rule Fire Service: Air-Crane Fact Sheet 2003 (pdf)
- Helicorp Australia: Erickson S64 Aircrane Helitankers
- Media Release - The Hon Jim Lloyd MP 28 October 2006: Elvis and Shania skycranes to arrive tomorrow
- Office of the Premier (Victoria): Extra Elvis for Victoria and plan to replace water used in firefighting (October 30, 2006)
