S-64E, Firefighting Helicopter | 53060 | ICM | 1:35

S-64E, Firefighting Helicopter | 53060 | ICM | 1:35

The Sikorsky S-64 originated in the early 1960s as a flying crane. The prototype flew in 1962. Its high fuselage, wide landing gear, and the lack of an enclosed cargo hold allowed the helicopter to carry loads that would not fit in a standard transport helicopter. Its military counterpart was named the CH-54 Tarhe.

Two turbine engines power the large main rotor. A rear-facing control station gives the pilot a direct view of the load during hoisting operations. This configuration made the aircraft suitable for timber transport, the installation of high-voltage pylons, and other tasks in difficult-to-reach locations.

Erickson acquired the type certificate in 1992 and further developed the Air-Crane for civil tasks. One major application became the fighting of wildfires. With a large tank under the fuselage, the crew can scoop up water and distribute it in a controlled manner over a fire, without having to land at an airfield for every cycle.

The S-64E thus bridges two eras: the heavy helicopter technology of the Cold War and the specialized firefighting of later decades. The open crane design remained a practical advantage precisely for this new task.

Product information

• The Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane is a heavy-lift helicopter used for tasks including heavy transport, construction and hoisting, rescue missions, and fighting large wildfires.
• This firefighting version features a water tank of approximately 10,000 liters. The water release is electronically controlled, and the tank can be filled in flight using a pond or sea snorkel.
• The ICM model kit consists of 559 parts and offers three marking variants of well-known Erickson Air-Crane machines.
• Brand: ICM
• Article number: 53060
• Scale: 1:35
• Subject: Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane
• Version: Firefighting helicopter with water tank
• Number of parts: 559
• Model dimensions: 775 × 225 mm
• Barcode: 4823044412150