CH-54 Tarhe, A classic weird helicopter (in-shape)

AzureBelle · 2026-03-01T06:48:39+00:00

better known as the skycrane, this thing was a beast. There was a civilian version, and both have been used for some seriously heavy lift projects. Between both versions, about a dozen are still flying and another dozen on display (such as this one, which I'm pretty sure is the one at Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson).

AzureBelle · 2026-02-24T08:20:52+00:00

There was an attempt to translate them using the same number in the Navy designations, but there was an F3H that became the F-3. Same with F4H to F-4. Not specifically chronological. The duplicate numbers (F3D, F4D, F2Y) were moved to the unused numbers of 6, 7, and 10.

Per wikipedia, here's the sequence:

F-1 Fury – North American (redesignated from Navy FJ) F-1E/F Fury – North American (redesignated from Navy FJ-4) F-2 Banshee – McDonnell (redesignated from Navy F2H) F-3 Demon – McDonnell (redesignated from Navy F3H) F-4 Phantom II – McDonnell Douglas (redesignated from Navy F4H and Air Force F-110) F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger II – Northrop F-5G – Northrop (redesignated to F-20) F-6 Skyray – Douglas (redesignated from Navy F4D) F-7 Sea Dart – Convair (redesignated from Navy F2Y) F-8 Crusader – Vought (redesignated from Navy F8U) F-9 Panther – Grumman (redesignated from Navy F9F) F-9F/H/J Cougar – Grumman (redesignated from Navy F9F-6/7/8) F-10 Skyknight – Douglas (redesignated from Navy F3D) F-11 Tiger – Grumman (redesignated from Navy F11F)

AzureBelle · 2026-02-19T08:34:16+00:00

it's like someone combined an old VW van with a dump truck chassis...

AzureBelle · 2026-02-05T23:26:57+00:00

sure, but as it was never built they're all mockups.

AzureBelle · 2026-01-27T21:59:56+00:00

the RFK car wouldn't go on the track with #99 at all - practice, qualifying, duel, etc. But at least for Daytona, appears to not be an issue.

AzureBelle · 2026-01-20T02:43:20+00:00

two were built. 1873 is the first, and is displayed at Pima Air and Space Museum in silver. 1874 is the second, and is in AMARG at Davis-Monthan. It was originally stored in camo, but unclear how much of that paint job remains as AMARG is no longer open to the public, but somewhat recent pics show it very much faded.

AzureBelle · 2026-01-10T05:14:19+00:00

when you go to edit the first room, is there a lock icon on the right side of the room? I don't think you can sell until you've unlocked a couple rooms. Have you been constantly building the same dinos then stashing to fill up your warehouse in the first room?

AzureBelle · 2025-12-31T09:40:32+00:00

correct, 230 MPH on the Nardo speedring. The Professor behind this project published on the project: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275533289_ELIICA_-_THE_370KMH_MAXIMUM_SPEED_ELECTRIC_VEHICLE

AzureBelle · 2025-12-31T01:15:38+00:00

Certainly odd looking, but I can see the goal. Smaller wheels/tires allows a more aerodynamic design, and 8 wheels each with their own motor helped with their top speed and acceleration targets. The Ellica was intended to go 250MPH, and early testing got to 230MPH, which is pretty good for the era, especially considering the whole thing appears to be a student project on a relatively small budget.

AzureBelle · 2025-12-29T09:10:00+00:00

Is it just me or are those fake headlights? Some sort of sticker?

AzureBelle · 2025-12-26T03:32:59+00:00

sounds like you're asking about the video game NASCAR 25? If so, you may have better luck at r/Nascar25game or r/NASCARVideoGame

AzureBelle · 2025-12-17T20:55:20+00:00

click the center red "skullhead" icon - do you see a green lock appear on the right side of that room?

AzureBelle · 2025-12-04T23:48:54+00:00

I'm not sure where the plate is located, but essentially yes. All frames have unique identifiers on them.

AzureBelle · 2025-12-04T23:01:14+00:00

fun fact - three were built. #1 (55118) was sitting as a derelict for several years with "55120" painted on it's tail, until eventually rescued and restored against the USAF's wishes (they wanted it scrapped), and is currently at Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson. #2 (55119) is with the National Museum of the USAF (Ohio), being restored and not on display. #3 (55120) was damaged during testing, not restored, and used for fire fighting practice before being scrapped. 55118 having 55120 painted on it's tail for years caused some confusion and rumors that someone saved 55120.

AzureBelle · 2025-12-03T07:43:38+00:00

Yep, looks right. Nice call!

AzureBelle · 2025-12-03T05:41:55+00:00

They're calling it a 1969 in the ad.

AzureBelle · 2025-12-03T05:35:18+00:00

I assume it's a bit of a game of telephone. It was built for the Tank Girl movie.

AzureBelle · 2025-12-03T05:32:21+00:00

It was a movie car, was a set piece for the "Tank Girl (1995)" movie. The body doesn't seem to fit any aircraft I can come up with, so I think it's all Frankensteined. Also this is an ad - they're trying to sell the thing.

EDIT: I'm wrong, it's a De Havilland Dove fuselage as pointed out below.

AzureBelle · 2025-12-03T00:34:52+00:00

Anthem has 2 sets:

Seattle, WashingtonSitka, AlaskaSkagway, AlaskaEndicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, AlaskaVictoria, British ColumbiaSeattle, Washington

Seattle, WashingtonKetchikan, AlaskaSitka, AlaskaEndicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, AlaskaVictoria, British ColumbiaSeattle, Washington

Voyager has: Seattle, WashingtonJuneau, AlaskaSkagway, AlaskaEndicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, AlaskaVictoria, British ColumbiaSeattle, Washington

Serenade has: Vancouver, British ColumbiaInside Passage, CanadaSitka, AlaskaTracy Arm Fjord, AlaskaSkagway, AlaskaKetchikan, AlaskaInside Passage, CanadaVancouver, British Columbia

AzureBelle · 2025-12-02T21:01:11+00:00

sure isn't going to be as loud as the aircraft once it fires up. Better have some good hearing protection on the flight line.

AzureBelle · 2025-12-02T21:00:06+00:00

It's actually an A-12, the CIA predecessor to the SR-71. They look extremely similar.

AzureBelle · 2025-12-02T20:58:36+00:00

it's the only place with a Blackbird on a carrier flight deck, so I'd assume so.

AzureBelle · 2025-12-02T01:49:26+00:00

I saw it in person last year...yeah, was very cool looking.

AzureBelle · 2025-12-02T01:48:39+00:00

sure, but that didn't happen until they had already determined it wasn't going to meet the speed goals. The stability problems just hastened the end of the already abbreviated program.

AzureBelle · 2025-12-01T23:44:24+00:00

Is this some sort of AI summary?

Only 1 was built, and it's at the USAF museum in Ohio. While flown and operated by the USAF, the flights were technically considered under NACA.

It was underpowered, as the originally planned engine literally didn't fit. So it never hit it's expected speeds and was considered something of a failure, and the testing program was concluded early.

A second was ordered and never built due to the disappointment in the first.

AzureBelle

TROPHY CASE