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The
CH-54 was built to provide a minimum 'backbone' airframe beneath
which a close-fitting or suspended heavy payload could be
supported.
It was Sikorsky's first crane helicopter. It
began as the S-60, a research vehicle designed and built from
funds shared between the U.S. Navy and the parent company. Work
on the design started in May 1958, but the project soon evolved
into the larger S-64. It was first flown on 9 May 1962.
After evaluation of the original prototype, the U.S. Army placed
a pre-series order in June 1963 for six S-64A's and gave them
the military designation CH-54A. Five of these were delivered
and have operated with some distinction with the 478th Aviation
Company supporting the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division in
Vietnam. Eighteen more were ordered in 1966, and total
orders stood at about sixty in 1968. The Skycrane can lift
trucks, palletized containers holding a field hospital unit, 48
casualty litters, 67 troops or 10,382kg of cargo; one CH-54A in
Vietnam has successfully lifted 87 troops. |
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CH-54 Skycrane
Standard Series. 1/48th scale. 17" rotor spread x
17.5" long.
No. AHA7D-ST. Only $179.95 |
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