Caribous still flying

On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 22:48:29 -0500, "Kevin Brooks"
wrote:


"Pits" wrote in message ...

Just wondering if US or Canada are still using Caribous for any
purpose.
Cheers

Known as the C-7 in the USAF (after they were taken over from the Army in
the late sixties), they have been out of service for a long time (early
eighties final retirement, IIRC). Very few served with the RCAF--they
instead bought more of the later turbine powered DHC-5 Buffalo. From what I
have read their Caribous left service in the early seventies, but I believe
they may still have a few Buffalos flying SAR.


The US Army still had a two or three 'Bous flying in CONUS into the
'80s. Interestingly these went from Army to USAF and then back to
Army. They were used for AVCRAD support and there was at least one
was from an SF unit. Army 'Bous were also used quite late for range
support at Eniwetok.

The FAA civil registry as of today (2/17/04) shows one C-7A, 17
DHC-4s, and 34 DHC-4As. There may be some overlaps there.

Also I know a guy who saw a USG Buffalo (not a 'Bou) at Fort A.P. Hill
within the last five years being used for some sort of drop testing.

John Hairell )

"John Hairell" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 22:48:29 -0500, "Kevin Brooks"
wrote:


"Pits" wrote in message
...

Just wondering if US or Canada are still using Caribous for any
purpose.
Cheers

Known as the C-7 in the USAF (after they were taken over from the Army in
the late sixties), they have been out of service for a long time (early
eighties final retirement, IIRC). Very few served with the RCAF--they
instead bought more of the later turbine powered DHC-5 Buffalo. From what
I
have read their Caribous left service in the early seventies, but I
believe
they may still have a few Buffalos flying SAR.


The US Army still had a two or three 'Bous flying in CONUS into the
'80s. Interestingly these went from Army to USAF and then back to
Army. They were used for AVCRAD support and there was at least one
was from an SF unit. Army 'Bous were also used quite late for range
support at Eniwetok.

I thought they were using the DASH-7/8 for that support work.


The FAA civil registry as of today (2/17/04) shows one C-7A, 17
DHC-4s, and 34 DHC-4As. There may be some overlaps there.

Also I know a guy who saw a USG Buffalo (not a 'Bou) at Fort A.P. Hill
within the last five years being used for some sort of drop testing.

Up unitil about a year ago I lived within spitting distance of the A.P. Hill
DZ, before moving to the western side of Spotsylvania County. Saw lots of
C-130's doing drop work there, a few C-141's and C-17's, and a couple of
oddities (what looked like a CASA 212 and a Twin Otter); never personally
saw a Buffalo. Doesn't mean there wasn't one in the A/O--sometimes the more
shadowy types train on the base, not to mention the resident SEAL training
detachment.

Brooks


John Hairell )

Also I know a guy who saw a USG Buffalo (not a 'Bou) at Fort A.P. Hill
within the last five years being used for some sort of drop testing.

Up unitil about a year ago I lived within spitting distance of the A.P. Hill
DZ, before moving to the western side of Spotsylvania County. Saw lots of
C-130's doing drop work there, a few C-141's and C-17's, and a couple of
oddities (what looked like a CASA 212 and a Twin Otter); never personally
saw a Buffalo. Doesn't mean there wasn't one in the A/O--sometimes the more
shadowy types train on the base, not to mention the resident SEAL training
detachment.


Those special ops units have access to all kinds of interesting aircraft.


Ron
Tanker 65, C-54E (DC-4)

"John Hairell" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 22:48:29 -0500, "Kevin Brooks"
wrote:


"Pits" wrote in message
...

Just wondering if US or Canada are still using Caribous for any
purpose.
Cheers

Known as the C-7 in the USAF (after they were taken over from the
Army in
the late sixties), they have been out of service for a long time
(early
eighties final retirement, IIRC). Very few served with the RCAF--they
instead bought more of the later turbine powered DHC-5 Buffalo. From
what I
have read their Caribous left service in the early seventies, but I
believe
they may still have a few Buffalos flying SAR.


The US Army still had a two or three 'Bous flying in CONUS into the
'80s. Interestingly these went from Army to USAF and then back to
Army. They were used for AVCRAD support and there was at least one
was from an SF unit. Army 'Bous were also used quite late for range
support at Eniwetok.

The FAA civil registry as of today (2/17/04) shows one C-7A, 17
DHC-4s, and 34 DHC-4As. There may be some overlaps there.

Also I know a guy who saw a USG Buffalo (not a 'Bou) at Fort A.P. Hill
within the last five years being used for some sort of drop testing.

FWIW, the RAAF still operate Caribous. They've just decided not to
replace them,
so they look like being around a while. Wallaby Airlines lives on....

The CO

On Tue, 17 Feb 2004 15:01:31 -0500, "Kevin Brooks"
wrote:

[stuff snipped]

The US Army still had a two or three 'Bous flying in CONUS into the
'80s. Interestingly these went from Army to USAF and then back to
Army. They were used for AVCRAD support and there was at least one
was from an SF unit. Army 'Bous were also used quite late for range
support at Eniwetok.

I thought they were using the DASH-7/8 for that support work.

Caribous were used prior to that, and C-23s have also been used.

[more snipped]

Up unitil about a year ago I lived within spitting distance of the A.P. Hill
DZ, before moving to the western side of Spotsylvania County. Saw lots of
C-130's doing drop work there, a few C-141's and C-17's, and a couple of
oddities (what looked like a CASA 212 and a Twin Otter); never personally
saw a Buffalo. Doesn't mean there wasn't one in the A/O--sometimes the more
shadowy types train on the base, not to mention the resident SEAL training
detachment.


CASA 212s are used by both the USAF and Army. The Army has used them
for specialized ELINT/SIGINT and special ops. The Twin Otter may be a
three-letter agency bird. They are also still using C-47s for drop
work.

John Hairell )

"John Hairell"
CASA 212s are used by both the USAF and Army. The Army has used them
for specialized ELINT/SIGINT and special ops. The Twin Otter may be a
three-letter agency bird. They are also still using C-47s for drop
work.

The Twin Otter was used for a couple of medical Antarctic rescue
missions in the dead of winter. The crews were from Edmonton Alberta. One
of the few aircraft capable of flying under these harsh conditions. Simple,
with less chance of freeze up etc.
Ed