CH-47D Chinook Helicopter - US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL
N 34° 42.599 W 086° 39.307
16S E 531581 N 3840936
A CH-47D Chinook Helicopter on static display outside of the Main Exhibit Building at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville AL
Waymark Code: WMWXMG
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 10/26/2017
Views: 4
There are dozens of rockets, missiles, missile launchers, and other aircraft on static display outside of the Main Exhibit Building at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.
The waymarked CH-47D Chinook Helicopter is located near the lunar crater.
An interpretive sign reads as follows:
"CH-247D CHINOOK HELICOPTER
HEAVY-LIFT TRANSPORTER
The workhorse of the U.S. Army, this Boeing Chinook is a tandem rotor, heavy-lift transport helicopter designed to move personnel, supplies and equipment in support of combat operations. Secondary missions include medical evacuation, disaster relief, firefighting, and search and rescue. The tandem rotors - one in front of the other - divide superb handling capabilities, enabling the Chinook to operate in difficult environmental conditions that can prevent other helicopters from flying. The Chinook was named after the Native American Chinook people.
CH-47C IN VIETNAM
The Chinook on display was initially built by Boeing as a CH-47C model. After being delivered to the U.S. Army 1969, the vehicle was deployed to Vietnam where it served with C Company of the 159th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion through 1972. In 1973, the Army loaned the vehicle to Air America, a passenger and cargo airline covertly owned and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). It flew missions in Laos in support of CIA operations during the Vietnam War, before being returned to the Army in 1974.
UPGRADE TO CH-47D
After the Vietnam War, Boeing upgraded the Chinook on display to a CH-47D model. Improvements included new fiberglass rotor blades, new engines, a redesigned cockpit, and more advanced avionics. After its upgrade, the vehicle went back in the service for the Army in 1991. It served with various units and flew in Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom.
CH-47D SPECS
Fuselage Length: 51ft
Empty Weight: 23,401lbs
Cruise Speed: 165mph
Maximum Load: 26,000 lbs
Power: 2 Textron Lycoming T55-L712 engines
Rotor Blades: fiberglass; 60 ft in length
Accommodations: 3 crew, 44 troops, or 24 casualty litters"
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): CH-47D Chinook Helicopter
Tail Number: (S/N): 214
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville AL
inside / outside: outside
Access restrictions:
Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Other Information:: Not listed
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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)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.