Elvis (helicopter)

Elvis is the nickname of Erickson S-64 Air-Crane, tail number OB-2081-P (N179AC), which has gained fame in Australia as a highly visible and valuable tool in bushfire suppression.

[1] The helicopter, which can hold 9,500 litres (2,500 US gal) of water or foam mix, has been brought out by the Victorian Government from the United States for each fire season since 2001-2002.

The aircraft obtained its nickname due to the time that it spent working for the United States National Guard in Memphis, where singer Elvis Presley lived for most of his life.

[4] Two other Aircranes, Georgia Peach (N154AC) and Incredible Hulk (N164AC), were rushed out from the US aboard a Russian Antonov An-124 air freighter to assist with the 2001-2002 Sydney bushfires following the successful deployment of Elvis.

[7] Elvis has also lifted transmission towers in Alberta, Canada, portrayed in the 2014 TV documentary Rise of the Machines.

Elvis at Wagga Wagga Airport in January 2012