CV-2B (C-7A) Caribou - Fort Rucker, AL - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

In response to a US Army requirement for a tactical airlifter to supply the battlefront with troops and supplies and evacuate casualties on the return journey, de Havilland Canada designed the DHC-4. With assistance from Canada's Department of Defence Production, DHC built a prototype demonstrator that flew for the first time on 30 July 1958.

Impressed with the DHC4's STOL capabilities and potential, the US Army ordered five for evaluation as YAC-1s and went on to become the largest Caribou operator. The AC-1 designation was changed in 1962 to CV-2, and then C-7 when the US Army's CV-2s were transferred to the US Air Force in 1967. US and Australian Caribou saw extensive service during the Vietnam conflict.

The U.S. Army purchased 159 of the aircraft and they served their purpose well as a tactical transport during the Vietnam War, where larger cargo aircraft such as the C-123 Provider and the C-130 Hercules could not land on the shorter landing strips. The aircraft could carry 32 troops or two Jeeps or similar light vehicles. The rear loading ramp could also be used for parachute dropping (also, see Air America).

In 1967, a political decision was made by the United States Air Force who, believing that all fixed-wing aircraft operations were its own province, demanded that the Army turn over the Caribou. The Army ultimately traded the Caribou to the Air Force in exchange for an end to restrictions on Army helicopter operations. In addition, some US Caribou were captured by North Vietnamese forces and remained in service with that country through to the late 1970s.

The aircraft on display was taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army with s/n 57-3080. On 3 August 1961 it began a ferry flight ending on 21 August when it landed in Saigon, Vietnam becoming the first Caribou in Vietnam. In 1983 it was delivered to the Army Aviation Museum with over 10,000 flight hours.

On a personal note, I began my trip home from Vietnam on a Caribou in 1971.

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Type of Aircraft: (make/model): CV-2B (C-7A) Caribou Tail Number: (S/N): 0-73080 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): U. S. Army Aviation Museum inside / outside: outside Other Information:: The aircraft is part of the outdoors display of the U. S. Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker. Access restrictions: The aircraft is displayed outside. There is no fence. Daylight hours would be best for visiting. The aircraft is located on an active Army base.

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

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