| Erickson Air-Crane "Elvis" | |
|---|---|
| "Shania" (N720HT) dumping water at Mount Kuring-gai in April 2007 | |
| Role | Heavy Lift Helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky, Erickson |
| Primary user | Firefighting |
| Developed from | Erickson S-64 |
"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.[1] 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, where singer Elvis Presley lived for most of his life.[2]
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.[3] 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 almost 300 homes.[2] It was also credited with helping save the lives of 14 firemen in the Burragorang Valley in New South Wales.[4]
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".[5][6]
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.
NB: The aircranes are contracted to the various state and territory governments through the National aerial firefighting centre.