The world's largest tool.
by Johnny Dv July 19, 2006
Technicly refered to as the CH-54. The Skycrane gets it's name from it's unique disign. It's body shape allows it to land over a payload, pick it up, and then set it down where needed. Much like a regular crane.
It was designed by the famous helicopter pioneer Igor Sikorsky who was looking to produce a new class of heavy lift hellicopter. The CH-54 is also widly known as the Sikorsky Skycrane, either term is correct. Sadly CH-54's dispite many years of good service are facing planned obsolescence due to the lack of replacement parts.
The aircraft company Erickson bought the rights to the Skycrane in 1992 and now produce their own version, the S-64, and renamed it the Aircrane. Erickson also discontinued production of replacement parts for the CH-54. Sadly, aircraft that have flown since the 1970's are being grounded due to lack of spare parts.
It was designed by the famous helicopter pioneer Igor Sikorsky who was looking to produce a new class of heavy lift hellicopter. The CH-54 is also widly known as the Sikorsky Skycrane, either term is correct. Sadly CH-54's dispite many years of good service are facing planned obsolescence due to the lack of replacement parts.
The aircraft company Erickson bought the rights to the Skycrane in 1992 and now produce their own version, the S-64, and renamed it the Aircrane. Erickson also discontinued production of replacement parts for the CH-54. Sadly, aircraft that have flown since the 1970's are being grounded due to lack of spare parts.
The Skycrane saved million's of dollars worth of equipment in Vietnam, because nothing else could lift such heavy cargo.
The lack of deep water ports in Vietnam forced the military to use Skycranes to unload cargo ships.
The lack of deep water ports in Vietnam forced the military to use Skycranes to unload cargo ships.
by BAW January 12, 2005