NOTE: RADIO CONTROL HELICOPTERS ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Sikrosky S-64 Skycrane helicopter holds the FAI turbine powered helicopter altitude record of 28,743 ft. (8,761 m) carrying a 2,000 KG payload.
The Skycrane made its first flight in May 1962. The US Army named the helicopter CH-54 Tarhe, but most people call them Skycranes. Tarhe, the Crane, was chief of the Wyandotte Indians.
In 1958 Sikorsky began the engineering and development of the S-64 Skycrane. On May 9, 1962 the turboshaft-powered S-64 first took to the air.
In January of 1969 Sikorsky was contracted to make several improvements to the helicopter by the US Army, primarily bringing total payload capacity to 25,000 lbs.
The US Army bought a total of 97 Skycrane helicopters with deliveries taking place between 1964 and 1972.
Skycranes were used by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. They served with the 1st Cavalry Division. While there they retrieved some 380 downed aircraft.
The last Skycrane helicopters were retired from military duty in 1993 by the 113th Aviation Unit of the U.S. Army National Guard based in Reno, NV.
Today the Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane is in civilian use as a water bomber, heavy lift industrial aircraft, and by lumber haulers.
In the photos immediately above and below is the giant scale rc S-64 Skycrane helicopter built by Adam Tadhjian. It has a 82" rotor diameter and weighs 27 lbs. Powering it is a Zenoa Z230 engine.
In the second picture down are Joe and Beatriz Howard from East Coast Helicopter with their rc Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane. They are pictured receiving an award from Uli for excellent customer service.
Darth's Heli Bodies is in the process of completing a rc Skycrane fuselage that will fit 450 size mechanics.
The bottom picture on this page is of the Vario rc Skycrane from their fuselage kit. It is made to fit Jet Cat SPH5 mechanics. Length is 84", width is 27 1/2" and rotor diameter is 85".
If anyone knows of another rc Skycrane scale model helicopter please email us.
Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane
