The only S-64F Air-Crane on contract this season is Helitack 342 N163AC or 'Bubba'. It will be based at Moorabbin for its contracted season.

Ex-US Army 66-18410. Tragically this helicopter was destroyed, and it's 2 crew killed, when it crashed due to a tail rotor failure whilst firefighting in Northern California on 4th August 2006.

Operated by 295 Avn Co. To N4099D, HL9467.

Operated by 295 Avn Co. To N4099D, HL9467.

Originally built for US Army with s/n 69-18473.

Became N9125M on 12 October 1995, and still current in 2022.

Erickson AirCrane 'Ichabod' was Helitack 342 during the 2015/2016 fire season in Australia. Seen here returning from fighting a fire near its Ballarat Airport base.

Seen on its last week of operations in Australia before its contracted season is over. Bubba never fails to impress with its size and noise.

This Skycrane was temporarily based near Keith, Scotland, to position a bunch of electricity pylons.

Seen here in full firefighting rig. Entered US Army service as 64-18410 in 1966. Sold to Heavy Lift Helicopters in 1993. Unfortunately written off in a fatal accident on 4 August 2006. Fighting the Titus Fire on contract to the US Forest Service from Happy Camp CA. Shed a tail rotor blade followed by the tail gearbox and remaining blades, over its dip site on the Klamath River. Impacted the river bank and was damaged beyond repair, with the sad loss of its two man crew.

Bubba is the only Erickson Air-Crane in Australia for fire season 2021/2022

Thirty years after the CN Tower opened to the public in downtown Toronto, Erickson Air-Crane brought S-64E, N189AE "Gypsy Lady" to Toronto to celebrate the role S-64E, N6962R, "Olga" played completing what became the World's tallest freestanding structure at 553.33 metres (1,815 ft 5in). Over 3.5 weeks in March-April 1975, N6962R made 44 lifts at the tower to build the antenna. in 2006, N189AE hovered over the CN Tower for 2 minutes and then landed at the base. It was the first new S-64E built after Erickson bought the S-64/CH-54 rights. It incorporates parts of ex-US Army CH-54A, msn 64-062.

To build the Sunrise Powerlink in Southern California. Many helicopters were used to support construction. In this photo, the SDG&E Skycrane lowers part of the high voltage tower structure. A Little Bird provides guidance for the third pilot in the back of the Skycrane to ensure it places properly. Later, steel workers will climb the tower and secure it.

The gate guard of the Pima Air and Space Museum, actually you walking beneath it if you are entering the museum grounds, what a nice welcome!

An interesting display for Oshkosh. When it departed it demonstrated a water drop.