CH-54B Sky Crane - Birmingham, AL
N 33° 33.866 W 086° 44.462
16S E 524036 N 3713892
The CH-54 Tarhe is better known as the Sky Crane.
Waymark Code: WMEFDK
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 05/21/2012
Views: 3
The CH-54 Tarhe is better known as the Sky Crane. Manufactured by Sikorsky, the CH-54 entered service in 1964 and served into the 1980s.
The CH-54 Sky Crane Helicopter was very successful in Vietnam where it was credited with the recovery of hundreds of downed aircraft as well as having the ability to move artillery and supplies to firebases that were unreachable by land. In addition to lifting heavy objects by sling, the CH-54 was used with specialized container units that fit in the open section of its body and could contain mobile command post, medical, maintenance, or troop transport modules.
The CH-54 was used in tests that developed the concept of the "Daisy Cutter" bomb used to create instant LZs with a huge, tree-leveling explosion. The tests were successful and the CH-54 was employed in Vietnam for that purpose.
The CH-54A Sky Crane (powered by two Pratt & Whitney T73-P-1 4500 shp turbine engines) could lift 20,000 pounds while the improved CH-54B (powered by two Pratt & Whitney T73-P-700 4800 shp turbine engines) could lift over 40,000 pounds. There was an internal winch so payload could be picked up or delivered without landing.
(
visit link)