Sikorsky CH - 54B Skycrane Helicopter
N 33° 34.609 W 086° 45.197
16S E 522896 N 3715263
The Sikorsky (model S-64A) CH-54A/CH-54B "Skycrane", with a crew of three, was designed for heavy internal or external lift of heavy bulk loads. It had a rear-facing pilot's seat to provide a clear view of the cargo. A hoist was provided to allow pickups and deliveries without landing.
Waymark Code: WM9VH
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 04/03/2006
Views: 156
This particular Sikorsky "Skycrane" is part of aircraft display adjacent to the Alabama National Guard depot at the Birmingham Airport. The public can view (actually touch) this aircraft and others at the exhibit.
More details on the "Skycrane" are as follows.
A lightweight van (universal pod) could be attached to the fuselage for use as a mobile command post, maintenance and repair shop, or as a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH). The field hospital was equipped with X-Ray, lab equipment, and blood bank. It was well lighted and air conditioned so surgery could be performed where ever it was needed. A "people pod" was designed to carry 45 combat-ready troops. The "Skycrane" served with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. The CH-54 was used in aircraft recovery operations when loads were too heavy for the CH-47 Chinook. It was also useful for off-loading during ship-to-shore operations. The CH-54 could also be rigged to drop the large 10,000 lb. cratering bomb used to create landing zones ("LZs") in dense jungle. The T-54A Tarhe had a six-bladed main rotor, four-bladed metal tail rotor, was powered by two Pratt & Whitney T73-P-1 4500 shp turbine engines, and had a speed of 128 mph (111 knots). The CH-54B was powered by two Pratt & Whitney T73-P-700 4800 sph turbine engines.
Overall Specification Summary:-
Manufacturer: Sikorsky
Base model: H-54
Designation: CH-54
Version: B
Nickname: Skycrane
Designation System: U.S. Air Force
Designation Period: 1948-Present
Basic role: Helicopter
Modified Mission: Transport
Crew: Pilot, Co-Pilot, 3rd aft pilot
Physical Specifications
Length: 88' 6" 26.9 m
Height: 18' 7" 5.6 m
Wingspan: 72' 21.9 m
Wingarea: 4,070.0 sq ft 378.0 sq m
Propulsion No. of Engines: 2
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney JFTD12-5A
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Sikorsky CH - 54B Skycrane Helicopter
Tail Number: (S/N): US Army 69-18479
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): The Alabama National Guard, Birmingham Airport, Alabama.
inside / outside: outside
Other Information:: Not listed
Access restrictions: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.