If you heard a thudding noise at about 5:30pm on Saturday afternoon, chances are you were listening to Camille the Erickson Aircrane Helitanker when she stopped off at the Orange Airport.
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Camille is one of four helitankers in Australia and is a close relative of the Elvis helicopter.
The gigantic helicopter was on route to Mudgee after fighting fires between Young and Boorowa when rough weather and cloud cover forced the crew to return to Orange.
Canobolas Zone Rural Fire Service (RFS) operations officer Brett Bowden said Camille captured the attention of curious onlookers at the airport who heard the massive chopper fly-in over the city.
"It's a fairly interesting piece of equipment and very big up close," he said.
"Normally you don't see them outside the Sydney basin."
To see photos of Camille and find out why she needs a nine-person crew, check out tomorrow's Central Western Daily.
