Air-Crane 1:10 – Fuselage Kit

The Erickson S-64 Air-Crane from VARIO is a 950 size scale helicopter. You can power this remote-controlled model helicopter with turbine or electric propulsion. Erickson is the creator of the man-carrying version and produces this helicopter.

For VARIO’s 950 AirCrane, also known as SkyCrane, we recommend a maximum main rotor speed of 900 rpm. Electric drive sets from VARIO are already tuned to this head speed.

Select one of the following drive types:

Turbine Mechanics 1002/71

For turbine JetCat SPH5

The Air-Crane fuselage kit for turbine can be ordered with Ord.No. 6410.

Since we deliberately designed the twin-shaft turbine mechanical system without a clutch, the model exhibits total scale fidelity even at the start-up process, with the rotor slowly starting to spin while the turbine is being started.

The turbine version fascinates by the smell of kerosene, a gently starting rotor, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of a turbine. Until the electrical power revolution in radio controlled model construction, turbines were the most powerful drives. In terms of flight times, turbines are still superior to electro-flight.

Electric Mechanics 1002/36

Our propulsion recommendation for this helicopter (Ord.No. 6400)! Contemporary mechanics, especially designed for the scale model electric flight. Electric motors are quiet, low in vibration, without exhaust gases and residual thrust. The blade slap noise sound of the rotor blades is more noticeable than with other types of propulsion and the result is a true-to-life impression in flight. The location and type of battery accommodation requires a little initiative and is the responsibility of each modeler. For this electromechanical system you can choose between two drive sets: for 10S or 12S LiPos.

The Erickson Air-Crane S-64 Heli-tanker is able to carry an integrated tank system with a capacity of 2,600 gallons (9,800 litres) under the fuselage and has acquired an excellent reputation for fighting forest fires. A specially designed snorkel is fitted, allowing the tank to be re-filled within 45 seconds from any stretch of water in the vicinity. The pilot decides the volume to be collected relative to the water area over which the aircraft passes.

On 8 April 2001 the world’s largest aircraft, a Russian Antonov AN-124, landed at Medford Airport in Oregon; its task: to pick up and transport an Erickson Air-Crane. The Korean forest administration had hired this helicopter for a period of 30 days in an attempt to cope more efficiently with the 2001 fire season. Its destination was the East coast of South Korea, from where the helicopter was to carry out missions in the Kangnung region in a bid to combat almost 200 fires in agricultural areas, most of which had been started by “controlled” stubble-burning. The Air-Crane has contributed to disaster recovery operations of this type in many countries. Among them was the Sydney fire storm at the turn of the year 2001 / 2002, more popularly known by the name “Black Christmas”.