Elvis (helicopter)
{{short description|Nickname of an Erickson S-64 Air-Crane Helitanker}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = Elvis
|image = File:N179AC-Elvis-739.jpg
|caption = N179AC, known as Elvis
|alt =
|sole example of type?= n
|aircraft name = Elvis
|other_names =
|type = Erickson S-64F Air-Crane
|manufacturer = Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, / Erickson Air-Crane
|construction_number =
|construction_date =
|civil_registration = N179AC
|military_serial =
|radio_code =
|first_flight =
|owners = Erickson Air-Crane
|in_service =
|flights =
|total_hours =
|total_distance =
|fate = Still operational
|preservation =
}}
Elvis is the nickname of Erickson S-64 Air-Crane, tail number OB-2081-P (N179AC), which has gained fame in Australia as a highly visible and valuable tool in bushfire suppression.{{cite news |author=Matthew Stanley |title=Elvis seen fighting NSW bushfires |url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2002/s452497.htm |work=7:30 Report |publisher=ABC |date=2002-01-03 |accessdate=2007-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050124025119/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2002/s452497.htm |archive-date=2005-01-24 |url-status=dead }} The helicopter, which can hold {{convert|9500|L|USgal}} of water or foam mix, has been brought out by the Victorian Government from the United States for each fire season since 2001-2002. The aircraft obtained its nickname due to the time that it spent working for the United States National Guard in Memphis, where singer Elvis Presley lived for most of his life.{{cite news |title= Elvis - king of the firefighters|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1740039.stm |publisher=BBC |date=2002-01-03 |accessdate=2007-12-26 }}
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.{{cite web|title=Firefighting with the Erickson S-64 Aircrane Helitanker |url=http://www.ericksonaircrane.com/servicedetail.asp?ServiceName=Firefighting |publisher=Erickson Air-Crane |accessdate=2007-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927130455/http://www.ericksonaircrane.com/servicedetail.asp?ServiceName=Firefighting |archive-date=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead }} 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. It was also credited with helping save the lives of 14 firemen in the Burragorang Valley in New South Wales.{{cite news |title=Elvis the helicopter saves Australian firefighters |url=http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/13935/newsDate/7-Jan-2002/story.htm |publisher=Planet Ark |date=2002-01-07 |accessdate=2007-12-26 |archive-date=2007-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926230237/http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/13935/newsDate/7-Jan-2002/story.htm |url-status=dead }}
Two other Aircranes, Georgia Peach (N154AC) and Incredible Hulk (N164AC), were rushed out from the US aboard a Russian Antonov An-124 air freighter to assist with the 2001-2002 Sydney bushfires following the successful deployment of Elvis.{{cite web |title=AirCranes farewell Sydney |url=http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/35504bc71d3adebcca256cfc0082c2b8/f196844e80865d5bca257217007ce882!OpenDocument&Click= |publisher=NSW Rural Fire Service |date=2006-10-30 |accessdate=2007-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928015722/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/35504bc71d3adebcca256cfc0082c2b8/f196844e80865d5bca257217007ce882%21OpenDocument%26Click%3D |archive-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title="Elvis" saves the building |url=http://www.ericksonaircrane.com/press/ElvisWebRelease.html |publisher=Erickson Air-Crane |accessdate=2007-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927130449/http://www.ericksonaircrane.com/press/ElvisWebRelease.html |archive-date=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead }}
A number of other Aircranes and Skycranes have subsequently been brought out to Australia for each bushfire season and based in South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/fury-as-elvis-firefighting-chopper-replaced-by-smaller-craft/story-fni0fit3-1226724748415 Fury as Elvis firefighting chopper replaced by smaller craft]
Elvis has also lifted transmission towers in Alberta, Canada, portrayed in the 2014 TV documentary Rise of the Machines.[http://www.history.com/shows/rise-of-the-machines/episodes Heavyweight Helicopter][https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3714212/ Rise of the Machines: Season 1, Episode 6. Heavyweight Helicopter]
Aircrane (AC) and Skycrane (HT) deployments in Australia
File:Elvis (Erickson Air-Crane) at Wagga Wagga Airport.ogv in January 2012]]
{{Update section|date=December 2019|reason=These aircraft have been in Australia since 2014}}
- 1997–1998 Victoria: Millie (N223AC)
- 2001–2002 Victoria: Elvis (N179AC); New South Wales: Georgia Peach (N154AC) and Incredible Hulk (N164AC)
- 2002–2003 Victoria: Elvis (N179AC); New South Wales: Georgia Peach (N154AC) and Incredible Hulk (N164AC){{cite web |title=Air-Crane fact sheet 2003 |url=http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/file_system/attachments/State/Attachment_20050302_398B1164.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522184614/http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/file_system/attachments/State/Attachment_20050302_398B1164.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-05-22 |publisher=NSW Rural Fire Service |year=2003 |accessdate=2007-12-26 }} and Isabelle (N178AC) and Gypsy Lady (N189AC).{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/nsw/stories/s772054.htm |title=More air crane helicopters arrive in Australia |accessdate=2007-12-26 |date=2003-01-28 |publisher=ABC}}
- 2003–2004 Victoria: Elvis (N179AC); New South Wales: Isabelle (N178AC)
- 2004–2005 Victoria: Elvis (N179AC); New South Wales: Rocky (N722HT){{cite web |url=http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/file_system/attachments/State/Attachment_20051123_8D3772A4.pdf |title=Skycrane 2005 fact sheet |accessdate=2007-12-26 |year=2005 |publisher=NSW Rural Fires Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024091528/http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/file_system/attachments/State/Attachment_20051123_8D3772A4.pdf |archive-date=2007-10-24 |url-status=dead }}
- 2006–2007 Victoria: Elvis (N179AC) and Malcolm (N217AC);{{cite web |title=Extra Elvis for Victoria and plan to replace water used in firefighting |url=http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/35504bc71d3adebcca256cfc0082c2b8/f196844e80865d5bca257217007ce882!OpenDocument&Click= |publisher=Office of the Premier (Victoria) |date=2006-10-30 |accessdate=2007-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928015722/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/35504bc71d3adebcca256cfc0082c2b8/f196844e80865d5bca257217007ce882%21OpenDocument%26Click%3D |archive-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead }} New South Wales: Shania (N720HT);{{cite web|url=http://www.ministers.infrastructure.gov.au/jl/releases/2006/October/L142_2006.htm |title="Elvis" and "Shania" skycranes to arrive tomorrow |accessdate=2007-12-26 |date=2006-10-28 |publisher=The Hon Jim Lloyd MP, Minister for Local Government,Territories and Roads }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Australian Capital Territory: Delilah (N194AC)
- 2007–2008 Victoria: Elvis (N179AC) and Elsie (N218AC);{{cite web | title=Elvis joins Victoria's firefighting efforts for 2007/8 | url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/f7947297d194dc16ca2573990080d663!OpenDocument | publisher=Minister for Environment and Climate Change | date=2007-11-20 | accessdate=2006-12-26 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402114807/http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/f7947297d194dc16ca2573990080d663!OpenDocument | archive-date=2011-04-02 | url-status=dead }} New South Wales: Shania (N720HT);{{cite news | title=Shania succeeds Elvis in bushfire fight |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/30/2106016.htm?section=australia |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717102207/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/30/2106016.htm?section=australia |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2012 | publisher=ABC | date=2007-11-30 | accessdate=2007-12-24 }} Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania (shared): Incredible Hulk{{cite news | author=Michael Owen, Sam Riches | title=Elvis kept in reserve |url=http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22903235-5006301,00.html?from=mostpop | publisher=The Advertiser | date=2007-12-11 | accessdate=2007-12-24 }}{{cite news | title='Incredible Hulk' ready to fight fires |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/13/2118189.htm?site=idx-act |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105145711/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/13/2118189.htm?site=idx-act |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 5, 2012 | publisher=ABC | date=2007-12-11 | accessdate=2007-12-26}}
- 2008–2009 Victoria: Elvis (N179AC) and Bluey a.k.a. Elsie (N218AC); New South Wales: Malcolm (N217AC) and Clancy a.k.a. Isabelle (N178AC); South Australia: Flynn a.k.a. Christine (N173AC); spare Delilah (N194AC); for the period of Australian operations, some aircraft have been temporarily renamed with Australian themed names.{{cite journal|last=Sadler|first=Paul|title=Rotor Torque|journal=Australian Aviation|publisher=Phantom Media Pty Ptd|location=Fyshwick, ACT, Australia|volume=257|issue=Jan/Feb 2009|pages=83}}
- 2009–2010 Victoria: Elvis (N179AC){{cite news|author=Schmidl, Engel|title=Elvis ready to Rock|work=Leader Community Newspapers|date=11 January 2010|url=http://leader-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/elvis-ready-to-rock|accessdate=7 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115014659/http://leader-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/elvis-ready-to-rock|archive-date=2013-01-15|url-status=dead}}
- 2011–2012: Western Australia: Elsie (N218AC){{cite web |title= Battle against fire heats up|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/southwest/a/-/news/11892218/battle-against-fire-heats-up/ |publisher=Troy Douglas, Busselton Dunsborough Times |date=November 21, 2011|accessdate=2012-02-06}}
- 2012–2013 Victoria: Elvis (N179AC) and Gypsy Lady (N189AC).{{cite news|author=Caruana, Patrick|title=Elvis back in town for hot Vic weekend|work=Herald Sun|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/elvis-to-battle-vic-bushfires-again/story-e6frf7kf-1226532018782|date= 7 December 2012|accessdate=7 December 2012}}
- 2013–2014 New South Wales: Gypsy Lady (N189AC) and Ichabod (N957AC);{{cite web|title=C/N 64-065 |work=helis.com Helicopter history site|url=http://www.helis.com/database/cn/5053|accessdate=21 October 2013}}{{cite web|title=Two firefighting Air-Crane helicopters arrive to help battle NSW bushfires in the nick of time |work=The Telegraph|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/two-firefighting-aircrane-helicopters-arrive-to-help-battle-nsw-bushfires-in-the-nick-of-time/story-fni0cx12-1226740363966|accessdate=21 October 2013}} Victoria:Delilah (N194AC) and Malcolm (N217AC){{cite web|title=Angels from above land in Victoria|work=9News|date=17 December 2013|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/12/17/14/02/angels-from-above-land-in-victoria|accessdate=17 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217100944/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/12/17/14/02/angels-from-above-land-in-victoria|archive-date=17 December 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
- 2019-2020 New South Wales: Gypsy Lady (N189AC) and Jerry (N247AC); Victoria: Delilah (N194AC) and Marty (N243AC); South Australia: Elsie (N218AC); Western Australia: Georgia Peach (N154AC){{Cite web|url=http://www.medianet.com.au/releases/183088/|title=Six S-64 Air Crane(R) Helicopters Continue Fight in Australia|website=AAP Medianet|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-01-05}}
The aircranes are contracted to the various state and territory governments through the National Aerial Firefighting Centre.
References
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External links
{{commons category|Firefighting helicopters in Australia}}
- [http://www.planepictures.net/netsearch4.cgi?srch=N179AC&srng=2&stype=reg planepictures.net: photographs of "Elvis"]
Category:1990s United States helicopters
Category:Bushfires in Australia