Saw this Erickson S-64 Sikorsky Skycrane today, landing at the Auberry Helibase in the eastern Fresno County foothills. My son is currently working on a Fresno County Fire engine company, providing crash/fire/rescue services to the six remaining heavy lift private hire contract helicopters flying the Rough Fire just east of Fresno. Each of these Skycranes is fitted with a 1640 gallon tank and can drop either water or retardant. Flight times vary according to smoke conditions. Most days lately, the smoke clears enough to fly around 1100 with a cut off time of 1900.
Felt so much safer belted in to this baby on my 757 flight to Vegas... A lesser grade though, I'm guessing, without having the reclining mechanism.
We had a bunch of them at camp Holloway, in Nam. They can climb vertically at 55 mph. Amazing to watch.
Stopped by the body shop to check on son's girlfriend justa. This was parked out front. It feels like I should be scolding myself for being so anti-front plate when this guy has one hanging off the front of one of his numerous Ferraris. Although that plate looks horrible on that car.
I wouldn't say it was "parked". More like it sorta ceased motion randomly in the general area where other vehicles were parked. No, don't scold yourself. That front plate is an abomination on that car. I am very much anti-front plate. I've gone nearly two decades without one (5 years of a Miata without a front plate, and 13 years on my MINI). Never had an issue, knock on wood.