Sky crane and flying boat at Temora Aviation Museum this weekend

[Guest Glenn]

Source: http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/news/News.cfm

 

Temora Aviation Museum is eagerly anticipating a visit from the Erickson Sky-crane known as “SHANIA†at its flying days this weekend.The Erickson CH-54 Sky-crane Helitanker is the most versatile, powerful, and cost effective aerial firefighter in the world. Since certification in 1992, the helitanker has seen worldwide service, fighting fires in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Borneo, Italy, Greece, France, Turkey, and Australia. The helitankers are leased worldwide to organisations, companies, and Federal Agencies for either short-term or longer term use in Fire Suppression, Civil Protection, Heavy Lift Construction, and Timber Harvesting. Australia has contracted Helitanker services during every fire season since November 1997.

The helitankers are heavy vertical lift helicopters fitted with high capacity belly tanks. The microprocessor controlled tank system is capable of delivering multiple drops. The belly tank doors offer a range of options for controlling coverage levels of the suppressant delivered to the ground. The tank is fitted with a fast self-fill snorkel that allows it to hover-fill from a variety of water sources. The helitankers are also fitted with a snorkel device that allows the helitanker to fill from salt-water sources during forward flight.

 

• The Sky-crane can be fitted with a 2,650-gallon (10,000 litres) fixed retardant tank to assist in the control of bushfires, and it has acquitted itself admirably in this role.

 

• It has a lift capacity of 25,000 lbs (12.5 tons) at sea level

 

• A flexible hose snorkel features a high pressure impeller and can draw water from any water source 18 inches (45 cm) or deeper.

 

• The patented ram scoop hydrofoil allows the Helitanker to refill from fresh water and sea water sources in less than 45 seconds.

 

• Water tank capacity is 7,500 litres

 

• Length: 27.23m

 

• Height 7.82m

 

“Shania†will arrive at the Museum on Saturday 17th February for display during the Museum flying day programme. A large crowd is expected to come out and see the magnificent machine up close. It will depart Temora on Sunday afternoon.

 

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see a Sky-crane up close.

 

Pictures of Shania

 

http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/news/shania.cfm

 

http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/news/shania2.cfm

 

The first Flying Weekend for 2007 begins Saturday 17th February. Most of the Museum’s aircraft will be flying over the weekend including appearances by the Tiger Moth, Ryan, Boomerang, Canberra, Vampire, Meteor and Hudson. The Spitfire Mk XVI will fly on Saturday and the Mk VIII will fly on Sunday.The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) are planning to fly the PBY Catalina to Temora to participate in both Saturday and Sunday’s events. HARS’ Catalina is an imposing aircraft. It registers at 19.45 metres in length and has a wing span of 31.7 metres, and is able to carry up to 28 people. Due to the amount of people it was able to transport, Qantas purchased nineteen Catalinas between January and October 1941. They would convey important persons as passengers traveling overseas. Their most notable route was the 'Double Sunrise Service' direct from Perth to Ceylon, it was the only form of personnel transport between Australia, Europe and America during the war. The Catalina is actually termed an amphibian, as it is able to land on both land and water, hence the name, Catalina Flying Boat. It’s longest non-stop flight was recorded at 31 hrs and 45 minutes. We look forward to the Catalina attending. Unfortunately HARS are unable to bring their Super Constellation as it has gone in for maintenance. Look out for it at a future Temora Aviation Museum Flying Day.

 

If you are planning a visit to the Museum this weekend remember to bring appropriate clothing for your protection from the harsh Australian weather.

 

Bring the whole family along to witness at close range the Museum’s historic aircraft exhibit in the skies over the Museum. Gates open at 10.00 am with flying continuing until 3pm and gates closing at 4.00 pm.

[TAA Student Pilot]

dont like ur chances the fire bomber is here in nsw with some fires that broke out yesterday

Where would they be Robbo?

 

 

[Guest Glenn]

Temora is in NSW

 

That particular skycrane was in Maildra fighting a pretty big fire recently. Manildra is about 70 k's from me.

 

 

[Todd M]

Actually saw a Skycrane today, heard a helicopter and thought 'that aint southcare' and looked out the front, and there was a skycrane flying along. Could not get its number or name, as I was looking into the sun at it so It was just a black heli flying over.

 

 

[Uncle Chop Chop]

I have seen Elvis up close and personal when I was over in Bairnsdale fighting the fires last Year. It is a real piece of impressive machinary. Well worth a look.