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Wednesday January 2, 03:03 PM
Elvis the waterbomber helps save Sydney houses
Elvis is alive and well but instead of bursting into song, he's
dumping water.
Elvis, otherwise known as the Erickson Air-Crane Helitanker, has a
capacity to dump 9,000 litres at a time on bushfires.
It helped save almost 300 homes in Sydney's north- west during an
estimated 40 trips on New Year's Day.
Prime Minister John Howard, who is touring the fire- ravaged north
shore, announced the government would consider buying several of the
helitankers, which come with the hefty price tag of $15 million.
Elvis, so named because of its time serving with the US National
Guard in Memphis, Tennessee, was shipped from Los Angeles to
Melbourne where it was assembled.
It was flown to Bankstown last Saturday on loan from Victorian aviation firm Helicorp.
Operated by a specialised team of two pilots and three engineers, the aircraft is "the
most versatile, powerful, and cost effective aerial fire suppression system in the
world", according to its web site.
Since certification in 1992, the helitanker has been deployed in the United States,
Canada, Mexico, Borneo, Italy, Greece, and Turkey.
A ram scoop hydrofoil allows the helitanker to refill from fresh water and sea water
sources in less than 45 seconds.
A flexible hose snorkel features a high pressure impeller and can draw water from any
water source 45cm or deeper as fast as 45 seconds.
The 9,500 litre tank drops water, retardant, or foam mix and its microprocessor
controlled tank doors offer eight individual coverage level options.
"It is a valuable tool but it has its limitations," NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman
John Winter said.
"A fleet of six smaller helicopters does the same job and tend to be more flexible.
"But it's delivery of water was impressive."
Elvis is part of a 65-strong fleet of aircraft deployed over the NSW bushfires,
including 50 helicopters, he said.
"You can always use more equipment. Do we have sufficient numbers? It's hard to say.
"Sixty-five aircraft is a massive commitment to have in any fire," Mr Winter said.
Rural Fire Service Commissioner Phil Koperberg would not say whether he would support
buying an Air-Crane.
But he stressed firefighters were doing an excellent job and were more important than
another helitanker.
"We have had 1,000km of fire in the last four days of firefighting - we haven't lost a
single house, we haven't had a serious injury, we have got no fatalities, we have got
20,000 people employed, we're doing really well,
" he said.
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