Tank assembly and helicopter

A helicopter comprising:

• a fuselage having an underside with forward and rearward ends;
• a first cargo hook mount disposed on the underside of the fuselage towards the forward end;
• a second cargo hook mount disposed on the underside of the fuselage towards the rearward end;
• a third cargo hook mount disposed on the underside of the fuselage between the first and second cargo hook mounts;
• and
• a tank assembly comprising:
• a retractable tank for storing liquid or other substances, the retractable tank having an upper frame structure;
• a first attachment mechanism attached to the upper frame structure towards the forward end, the first attachment mechanism comprising a base member attached to the upper frame structure, and a connecting member fixedly secured to the base member and attached to the first cargo hook mount, the connecting member defining a first laterally-extending aperture and a second laterally-extending aperture located rearwardly of the first laterally-extending aperture;
• a second attachment mechanism attached to the upper frame structure towards the rearward end and engaged with the second cargo hook mount;
• and
• a third attachment mechanism attached to the upper frame structure between the first and second attachment mechanisms and engaged with the third cargo hook mount,
• wherein the first attachment mechanism substantially limits forward and rearward movement of the retractable tank.

A tank assembly for a helicopter, the tank assembly comprising:

• a retractable tank for storing liquid or other substances, the retractable tank having an upper frame structure with forward and rearward ends;
• a first attachment mechanism attached to the upper frame structure towards the forward end and configured to engage a first cargo hook mount on an underside of a fuselage of the helicopter, wherein the first attachment mechanism substantially limits forward and rearward movement of the retractable tank when engaged to the first cargo hook mount;
• a second attachment mechanism attached to the upper frame structure towards the rearward end and configured to engage a second cargo hook mount on the underside of the fuselage of the helicopter;
• a third attachment mechanism attached to the upper frame structure between the first and second attachment mechanisms and configured to engage a third cargo hook mount on the underside of the fuselage of the helicopter;
• and
• first and second stabiliser arms extending from respective opposing sides of the upper frame structure, each of the first and second stabiliser arms being configured to engage a respective forward landing gear of the helicopter.