Top 10 Iconic RAAF Aircraft - 5: de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ก.พ. 2021
- At number 5 in our iconic aircraft countdown is a long-serving workhorse ideal for getting in and out of tight spaces: the de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou.
Arriving in 1964, the Caribou was immediately sent into service in the Vietnam War carrying troops and supplies to rugged, inaccessible airfields near the frontlines.
A short take-off and landing aircraft, it continued to operate for the next 45 years across the Indian-Pacific region, often delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief to areas other aircraft could not access.
#AusAirForce #AirForce100 #ThenNowAlways - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
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I flew this great aircraft in the RCAF. We used it to re-supply and transport UN observers in India and Pakistan prior to, during, and after the Pak/India war in 1965. It was reliable, versatile and although the early off the line aircraft might have been a little heavy on the ailerlons this problem this was soon corrected and the controls were light and responsive. It certainly didn't "fly like a truck" as stated in the video. Due to the augmentor tube exhaust system (responsible for the lovely sound of the engines) it never ever overheated in desert operations of +40C and performed comfortably when landing on snow at 11,000 ASL in the Hindu Kush mountains. It was a real treat to fly this unsung credit to Canadian design and production. It always did it's job well.
You ever see any ufos or strange things in the sky?
I loved this aircraft. Flew in it more times than I can count and jumped out of 20-30 times in my Paratrooping career. The noise brings back fond memories. Excellent choice.
Glad you liked the video, sounds like you had some memorable moments with the Bou!
I WAS AT AN ARMY SHOW IN VIC AND SAW ONE OF THESE PLANE'S LAND ON HALF A SOCCER FIELD THAT WAS SURROUNDED BY TALL TREE'S AND HOUSES ABOUT 50 FEET FROM THE CROWD , I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYE'S , SUCH A LARGE AIRCRAFT LANDING SUCH A TINY SPACE , COULDN'T DO BETTER WITH A HARRIER JUMP JET - ::: )
Anything with a tail ramp was great for jumping (Freefall anyway..lol)
I also jumped a few times from its later turboprop brother, the Buffalo. (While in the Canadian Forces)
I never jumped out of a Vomit Comet but was a passenger on one plenty of times. Much preferred the bouncy ride in a Caribou than the deafening ride in a Hercules.
Noisy, unpressurised, rough as guts, but tough as nails and got the job done in all conditions…legend
I remember an ex RAAF guy telling me that he loved the aircraft but that it was so slow it could suffer bird strikes from behind.
Hahaha,,, the bird must be jealous of the STOL capability
DH Canada's STOL aircraft were all slow, which of course is part of the package: low takeoff and landing speeds. That was one of the early "complaints" about the Beaver, to which the response was, "just so it's faster than a dog team ..."
@@dynevor6327 You would need to understand Aussie humour.
@@dynevor6327 You must have lost yours then.
@@dynevor6327 It’s an RAAF joke!!!
I owe my soft pink body to a Caribou that took off in half the length of an airstrip while Vietcong mortars walked down the other half after us. God bless these birds and men who flew them. Thank you.
I actually worked on the American version of this Caribou in 1972 CahmRhan Bay Vietnam and taught the vietnamese air crews how to work on the engines in Phu Cat Vietnam in April 1972. Loved this aircraft as much as you guys over in Australia. Cheers
Thanks mate!
Flew in the "gravel truck" several times back in the 70's when I first joined the RAAF. Nice aircraft and pleasant to fly in even during storms despite its low ceiling. Remember one flight back to Wagga Wagga through a particularly bad storm at night we had to look out the windows for the main road so we could work out where we were. It sort of reminded me of the old Bristol freighters that used to come over during exercises. It was so weird how you could hear it coming and even see it on the horizon but it took hours before it reached the airfield. I used to imagine the people jumping up and down inside trying to get the thing to land as it seemed to just float in the air.
de Havilland aircraft make me proud to be Canadian. I am not an overtly patriotic person in general but having had the privilege to work with these innovative tough little aircraft I feel they do embody what I love about this rugged land. The boo, buff, Otters, Beavers, Dash 7s and 8s, even the little Chipmunk all humbly punch above their weight. Thanks for the post!
The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou is a Canadian-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing capability. The Caribou was first flown in 1958 and although mainly retired from military operations, is still in use in small numbers as a rugged "bush" aircraft. Some turboprop conversions are in active service
As an Aussie Infantry Soldier, I flew in the Caribou throughout the 70s and 80s. Love the fact we could take a platoon fully kitted up, pretty much anywhere. I will miss them.
Great to see our Aussie friends flew such a outstanding aircraft. DHC knew STOL.
Flew in these during the 80's. I was Australin army infantry 8/9 RAR and we flew everywhere in them and in Iroquois choppers too. we would wait for re sups quite often on temporary airstrips we set up for them.we would sit on the side of the strip waiting to hear that glorious radial engine in the distance and then get ready to either run away or stand on the side of the strip as we watched the cross winds throw them around on approach.They were always a sight for sore eyes ( and stomachs with fresh supplies). I managed to film one flying over my home during their last day's of service and I treasure that footage now. An irreplaceable aircraft in my eyes.
Loved the Caribou
It’s my favourite aircraft of our Air Force, it’s unique sound and amazing capabilities are still unmatched.
While my friends loved to F1-11 and Mirages I loved the Caribou used watch it trading around the Blue Mountains.
Such fond memories of a great aircraft, as they say
Fly slow, land short.
A favourite of many more too Ross!
400,000 loose rivets flying in close formation!! great aircraft. I remember being on the flight line at 486sqn Richmond and seeing a Caribou flying backwards over head due to a very strong head wind.
I've read that these babies could often supply FOB's and remote outposts with critical supplies when other aircraft could not, and thanks to the brave aircrew, especially our Aussie friends, in weather other aircraft and helicopters were grounded from. Certainly saved many lives. 🙌
A few weeks ago I was I St. George Utah and saw a Caribou at the air museum. 30 minutes later, I was doing my run-up and saw it taxiing towards me! I said on the frequency that we'd be happy to let them go first so we could watch them take off. They said thank you and did. What a treat!
It may not go down as the most beautiful aircraft in RAAF history for most people, but in my mind it is! I grew up watching the Caribou flying in the Hawkesbury from Richmond Air Base, and the sight and sounds from a Caribou still excites me. I'm so glad that HARS still keeps two flying. Long may they roar!!!
When I was a kid, remembered back in the days... This Air Craft 🛩 CARABU came to Vanuatu 🇻🇺 by the Australian Army 🇦🇺🧑✈️👩✈️. For disaster recovery many years back in the 90's . Honor 🎖💜 to the soldiers for the beautiful and remarkable services to our country 😀❤🙋♂️🙏 Thank you Australia. Regards from Vanuatu 🇻🇺southwest pacific.
Great video. It has always been clear to me the RAAF was the greatest ally we had in Vietnam. In my view at the time, from the Caribou to the Canberra you guys were absolutely committed and highly effective. RVN April 1967 - April 1968
the reputation of our canberras i heard was you guys used to love them because we could put bombs exactly where you needed them every time , dunno how true that is but i made me feel better when i was a digger knowing we had decent cas
I Always loved flying in these when I was in the Infantry in 1RAR and 6RAR!! I remember on some exercises the Caribou's would pick us up and drop us off landing on the football fields right in front of 1RAR lines!! Freaking awesome!! We used to call them flying bricks because of their boxy shape and how slow they were but when you can take off an land in 200m with over 30 fully laden Infantrymen that's freaking impressive!! Have some great stories about these planes especially when working with the Yanks and getting picked up and dropped off to Tully!! Used to love how they just flew around with the tailgate open!! So sad to hear they have been retired!! Used to love flying Kangaroo Airlines!! At one time landing on the fields in front of Lavarack Barracks in the mid 90's it was a very windy day and 1RAR was returning from High Range and one of the Corporals in my Platoon was terrified of flying, especially in Caribou's LOL!! As we were coming in to land a huge gust of wind hit us just before the ground and nearly pushed us into the power lines that were only about 20m away. I watched the pilot slam the throttles to full and pull up to get us out before we hit the lines. I was laughing my head off, not only because I thought it was awesome but this corporal was absolutely crapping himself LMAO!! Also I used to make fun of them when they were on a field starting up, I used to yell out "Contact" as they started like they did with WWI planes and this huge puff of black smoke would come out the back of the engines lol! It did make everyone laugh.
The caribou, like most DHC aircraft models, is one that warrants being kept on hand indefinitely.
A plane that there's always a use for.
50 some years ago, I had several rides in a Caribou. When the airstrip was too short and/or too rough for a Hercules (the strip at Dau Tieng, for instance), it was the job of the C-7 to get us in or out. Came in once under hostile fire... the pilot side-slipped in what seemed like a vertical drop, flattened out, stalled,and pancaked onto the runway. Exciting, to say the least.
As an Air Training Corps Cadet - this was my first flight in a RAAF aircraft - loved hanging out the back doors. What a thrill as a kid!
As a small boy living near the Williamtown Air Base in NSW; When I heard one coming, I'd fly out the door nearly swinging it off the hinges just to watch it fly over. And the used to fly so low, this allowed you to see how beautiful they were and you could really hear those engines roar. To this day I still love the big workhorses like the C-130 and the C-17. Thank you.
I never served but I always loved the Caribou. They were old when I was born but I always though they looked great. As much as that, I love the fact that they can land in places nothing else can. I don't know why that's not as prized a capability today as it was useful in the past. Helicopters are great, but a rugged STOL transport is in a different league.
Leave it to the Canadians a beautiful aircraft with lovely sounding radial engines
Just proves you don't need speed or computer flight controls to be awesome
I sat in the cockpit through the 80s begining on right-hand seat, progress to left-hand seat ending in jump seat. Involved in various operation; comm flt, vip flt, medivac, SAR, ADS, para jump, strip operation, cloud seeding, special joint ops,,, just to name a few.
Only one Mayday call made due to stuck MLG in up position, manage to put it down NOT in accordance with SOP after exhausted with the checklist. Landed safely at approx 2100 hrs without any scratch to the machine and crew.
LOVE this machine more than my wife.
Miss you so much ,,,,,,,,,, DHC4 !!
In the early 60s (prior to purchase) I was based at Williamtown RAAF base when the demo Caribou arrived. It landed and a hanger obscured my view as it touched down and didn't come into view on the other side of the hanger. I though it had crashed and raced around to see the crash. It had done an extremely short landing, obviously to impress all and sundry, which of course it certainly did.
My dad was one of the delivery pilots and did a couple of tours of Vietnam and a stint in New Guinea. Its a long way from Canada to Richmond at 350km/h and no auto pilot.
As the Saudi said when he went off the road in his new mobile home,"What a piece of shit, I put it on auto cruise and went back to make some tea, and the damn American thing crashed." The S3A's autopilot (ACLS) would do every thing but take off, it would trap within 2 meters.
He would have had plenty of time to soak up the views
The Caribou was an awesome aircraft such fond childhood memories watching them out of Richmond as a young bloke will never forget it’s sound. Thanks for sharing
👍🏻👍🏻🙃🙃
Used to get mail and supplies delivered by a DHC-4 Caribou when assigned to a unit in Central America during the 80s. What a versatile aircraft, tough as nails, with a signature throaty sound. Thanks for sharing.
Loved the Caribou, we used it in the search and rescue role for years, its was a regular at airshows in Canada, painted bright yellow, loved the short landing demo and low speed pass, great airplane!
The Canadian SAR planas were the DHC-5 Buffalo, the Caribous younger, bigger brother
I remember seeing one of these at an air show in NZ. One pass it did it touched it's nose wheel down, kept its mains high and went down the runway like a wheelbarrow. Magic to watch as a kid :)
I watched the same thing at an air show at Richmond Air Base.
I saw this done a number of times as a kid at Richmond Air Base where they were. I remember talking to the pilot when I was a kid, and said how impressive it was and that it must be difficult to do. He was very matter of fact in his answer and said wasn't that difficult. I know ground crew used to find damaged the nose gear. Can't remember exactly what the damage was, but it was a piece of the nose gear assembly.
As an Ex Grunt, I have many fond memories of Wallaby Airlines. One of those was coming in to land while peering out a side window, and having an uninterrupted view of the whole Landing strip, only to have the Pilot kick the tail around at the last minute.....They were always a welcome sight, and sounded great too.😎👍
These and the F111 always were my favourite RAAF aircraft. The sights and sounds are distinct and still bring a smile to my face.
A Caribou showing up was a guarranteed feature at any Australian airshow, especially the small ones at little aerodromes because of its STOL capabalities. I remember as a kid at one of these, when someone asked one of the crew what it was like flying in the Caribou. He said it was like sitting in a tin Garbage can with someone constantly banging on the lid!
My dad helped design the Caribou. A great plane. The last one I saw fly was in Togo, Africa at the main TAF base in Lome, Togo.
Loved this bird, walked off the ramp, exited the side door, and even got to sit in the pilots seat on one leg of a journey. That was not as easy as it looked, those pilots were amazing, including once landing on the ovals at the back of Swanbourne barracks.
I was a Crew Chief on the Caribou during my year in Vietnam in 1971. It was a tough old bird - perfectly suited for the tasks assigned.
When I was young you'd see these overhead all the time around Kuala Lumpur. The other common airplane (more so than the Caribou) was the Handley-Page Herald. There was also the Fokker F-27 Friendship operated by the national airline. The Herald and Friendship were turboprops, the Caribou was piston-engined, so they sounded different.
Worked on the R2000's at Bankstown and around the aircraft itself and fell in love with it.
When I was 5 yrs old, the Caribou was a regular sight in my hometown in Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬
I am 60 now.
That's the sort of beard I like to see on a two star officer.
In 1970 after my arrival in Vietnam and a short period of training, we were flown to Ban Me Thuot in a Caribou. We landed on a dirt strip. The pilot came in, made a steep turn, and put it down. What a neat flight.
I flew these. 38SQN late 1970s.
Will never forget the day PLTOFF Jack Plenty had his captaincy restored during a paradropping deployment at Corrigin, WA.
He put on an excellent display..
Spook.
Great Aircraft ,Beautiful Noise Thanks for the Memory. RAAF.👍👍🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺😁
One of the best sounding planes ever!
Strange, but I’ve only heard them in a jet-prop version.
Your probably thinking of the DHC Buffalo, that had turbo props
Especially on board at take off!!
I remember seeing this plane multiple times at Avalon, including the last time it was shown. What a capable and beautiful plane!
When I joined the RAAF back in the late 70’s these aircraft flew the milk run throughout NSW and the ACT. My first flight as a young new recruit flying from RAAF Wagga to Richmond saw a few of my fellow recruits lose their breakfast on a very bumpy flight all the while the loadmaster sat quietly eating his sandwiches and his drinking morning tea and reminding us that we had to clean up our own mess, lol
I remember whatching these great aircraft doing drops over Londonderry Richmond as a kid 👍great video🏆
Have always loved this aircraft. I grew up in Rockhampton and would watch them flying in and out of the airport during exercises at Shoalwater, the engine sound was amazing. I got to fly in them while in the ARes, only fixed wing AC I've ever been in where you felt like you could get out and walk faster.
I flew this in the RAAF for a few years in the late 90s, out of Amberley. We shared the base with the F-111s. It was funny, the fastest and slowest aircraft in the RAAF sharing a base.
I recall doing circuits and stop-and-go training to a few different grass strips on the base, we ignored the 10,000ft paved runway, but had to time our jumps between strips with the Pigs (F-111s) in the circuit!
I also told anyone who cared to listen that we flew in an aircraft that also pushed the envelope, the slow speed end of the flight envelope!
My uncle flew this for the Royal Malaysian Air Force and did speak highly of its Short Takeoff and Landing capabilities. It seems the voice over talent for this video has the same affection if his short staccato commentary (punctuated by numerous pauses) is anything to go by. heh heh
From war to VIP flight, caribou can do it depends on extreme destination.
Superb machine!!!
Working outside a couple months ago on Colorado Springs, Co when I heard radial engines. Got pretty excited! Turned out to be an Air Force blue Caribou. Beautiful!
This aircraft is part of the reason i am now a pilot, as a kid when i was in the army cadets is had the privliage of flying on one of these amazing aircraft, i think this was one of the last flights before they were grounded, it was an amazing experiance that i will remeber forever, and i am now a pilot my self, i remeber looking at all the instuments in the cockpit and being amazing at how awesome it must be to be fly this this thing
My favourite, too. Watched them fly over our house, many times, from Bankstown direction back to Richmond during the 70s. And coming back from Kurrajong my parents would stop at Richmond air base for half an hour and look at them on the runway or in-front of the hangars. Impressive birds.
HARS Museum at Albion Park NSW has 2 flying DHC-4 Caribou and they still attract a crowd with their STOL and those engines...😁👍
A fantastic capable aircraft for it's role. One of the best aircraft buys they made. Their ability was unparalleled. On my first posting to Richmond I used to love watching them doing the STOL touch n go. Always reminded me of a crow flying pissed.... That distinctive sound the Radial engines make...music.
Flew from Darwin to Richmond one time...boy that was a looong flight.
I hitched a ride from Elco Island to Matta Matta in 1998 most memorable plane ride i ever had the landing strip at Matta Matta was a classic the landing blew my mind for 5 minutes because the take off was something else again! Thank you Wallaby Airlines!
Caribou. Strong headwind = Flying backwards.
Can be a tactical advantage in a time of War, under the right objectives.
Pain in the butt otherwise.
Are we there yet?
God bless the old lady. Bloody well built. Bloody hard to replace.
i seen that a few times where theyd almost be stationary coming into land at richmond RAAF base with a headwind...
I did that in SFO bay area on south plan...7 flaps gear down in a stronghold wind....on radar looks like flying in reverse; more fun than in a hold to await your turn ldg oak....
On my way through the MEDEVAC process from Iraq in 2006 I flew on a RAAF C-130. Your young men and women did you proud Australia. They were so kind and funny. I'll never forget the young digger standing on the rear ramp with his Steyr pulling security for us banged up Americans during a rocket attack at Al Asad.
I was with the 353 SOG (USAF) in Okinawa Japan in 2004. We attended an joint exercise in Townsville doing ops with RAAF and their DHC-4 Caribous. On my first fam flight, as a passenger, we dumped jumpers out the back, and circled back around for landing with the back doors open. I suddenly had a full and immediate sinus block and it felt like a red-hot railroad spike was being shoved into my right eye. Thought my head was going to explode. Overall good memories. Fun crew and a cool, old bird. The sound of the engines is distinct and memorable, a far cry from the MC-130s in our units.
Thanks mate from across the ditch 👍✈️🇳🇿
I used to love seeing this aircraft fly over Port Moresby. ❤💚💙
Its odd, hearing about a Plane that has reached the end of its service life. When there is nothing that can replace it. US Military was going to replace the C-130 a few years ago, well maybe more then that, but when they looked around, and could not find any thing better, they just upgraded the engines, props and avionics. And she's still going strong. That Caribou, maybe the RAAF could do the same thing. Looks like a great little/big :) Plane.
Gotta love the Caribou, Constant speed -
variable noise
My platoon hitched a ride in one of these at Shoalwater Bay in 1996. I swear we were flying backwards into a stiff headwind at one point. The planned 5 minute flight into a new AO took that long it would've been quicker to get out and walk!
But since a 2nd class ride always trumps a 1st class walk, I respectfully stuck it out, in spite of my sneaking suspicion we were all about to get blown into a mountain and die in a firey crash!
Haha same thing 82,at butterworth airbase for 3mnths,spent a week Singapore b company 8/9 battalion,when we flew out of Singapore we did fly backwards,winds that strong we had to land and transfer to a herc ules,a bit more grunt hahaha true story
Such a useful aircraft.. some aircraft should still be produced anew!
Can you imagine the satisfaction of being the chief mechanic who made those engines work....
My favourite aircraft of the RAAF.
So unique
I watched them work out in Vietnam while I was piloting the smaller DHC-3.
Always remember them at the Lilydale Airshows, largest aircraft on the line..with just about the shortest take off and landing. Just total grunt of those radials ! Had an ex RAAF Caribou pilot as one of my flying instructors later in life.. he had many a good yarn about them !
This is the aircraft that used fly around (Taiping air strip, Malaysia)when i was a kid. My first seen and heard aircraft.
Good to see Jack Plenty again. Perhaps the day 38SQN relocated to Amberley was one my more memorable flights: along Sydney Harbour, and then very low up the beaches of the Gold Coast.
The Caribou did "a damn good job" in the Canadian Armed Forces" too. We had one come in for our local airport air show. The locals were blown away when the Caribou backed into its display spot.
The next few years we had other CAF 'big' aircraft (Buffalo, JATO-Hercules), but oh those R-2000s...
When I was working as a fire watcher, 22 years ago, I loved to watch the Caribou crews practicing touch and go's, on a short farm strip near Mt Pickapene near Casino and from the fire tower I could look down on the F111 crews as they screamed past the cliff about 100m below me. A couple of years later, I used to hear and see them, as they flew south high over Tenterfield. Great to watch and those radial engines sure do sound fine. 😁👍
Loved parachuting out of the caribou, pity they couldn't build them and keep them flying.
When the DHC-4 was built by DHC new P&W R2000s had long been out of production, so all DHC-4s were fitted with second-hand reconditioned engines, having previously been fitted to Douglas C-54 and later DC4-1009S.
Hard to believe
A company would design a new plane based on an obsolete engine!
Not even “new old stock” from a wwII warehouse but used engines.
Must be a story behind that decision.
@@josephpadula2283 The DHC-4 concept design was first drawn in the early 1950s. Cost, STOL, rear loading, ease of maintenance and survivability were all design factors. Small turbo prop engines were few and inefficient. There was also an abundance of radial reciprocating engines (bone yards). R2000-7M2s were not "obsolete", just under-utilised, and ultimately proved to be the best choice of engines.
It should be noted the reason DHC-4s are no longer in service is the lack of R2000 engine spares and the discontinued manufacture of both 100/130 green and 115/145 purple fuels. 100LL failing to produce enough power.
Thank you!
loved working on these old girls....gave me some of the best memories of my life
grew up with these flying overhead in and out of Richmond RAAF base.. remember going out to the castlereigh drop zone a few times and seeing them drop packages...
I caught a ride in one of these from Bien Hoa to Siagon when I was headed home.
Back in the 1970's I was a field mechanic for the PMG [Postmaster Generals Department] Occasionally I would have a job in the yard behind the Windsor telephone exchange. This was directly under the flightpath of Caribou's during what I presume to have been training flights. Aircraft appeared overhead so often that I had presumed that there were three or four in a great circle doing touch & go landings. Landing gear was extended & flaps let down almost directly overhead & for an airplane buff like me, it was fantastic to see all this from underneath when they were at such low altitude.
Then it got even better. Every now & then one would seemingly need to do a go around, so the gear came up, power settings went up & so did the nose. This meant that those four big over wing exhaust dump pipes were pointed directly at me, & nothin, ... absolutely NOTHING, makes a more beautiful noise than the open exhausts of a big radial engine.
I'm 72 years old now & the sound of those engines still brings a tear to my eyes & to decommission these beautiful birds without a replacement of equal or better performance is, in my view, a grave error. Bring these buggers back, says I.
What a great story :)
Ahh, the unmistakeable sound of the “Gravel Truck”, as it was affectionately known in the RAAF. ❤️
As a Canuck I too love the Caribou.
I grew up in Toronto , Every now and then we would see a 'Bou overhead on test flight from DHC in Downsview.
I saw many aircraft in Vietnam. I was at Phu Bai and DaNang. I remember the C-130, C-123, C-141 and all the jets and helicopters but don't recall seeing the Caribou. What an airplane!
RCAF flew them in the Sinai, my last flight in one was from Gaza City to Beirut in May 1967
Just found this series. Beaudy! 9 to go. HARS in the Illawarra has had theirs flying regularly this summer. Its great to hear her chugging over my house. No mistaking that sound. Like an airborn Harley gently cruising along in top gear. Music to my 20th century ears.
Also the only RAAF aircraft to ever be highjacked. When evacuating people from East Timor in 1975 to Darwin. I recall one flight from TULLY north Qld after a stint at 1 Div Battle school in the rainforest , flew along the coast back to Townsville quite low . Magic trip
Built when made in Canada ment something
The end of the world as we knew it
Cheers brother
Thank you for sharing a part of our history with the world
Good on ya
God bless you and your's
Just saying
Have seen these aircraft hover with a headwind. And air taxi on their front wheel. Very impressive.
I miss the old "Gravel Truck".... Being a resident of Richmond NSW and in the flight path of the RAAF base I was always on the listen for the take off and landing approach of these flying diggers, an awesome sound. 👍😀🇦🇺
I had a couple of flights in this aircraft. The longest was a maintenance trip from Darwin to Exmouth stopping at all the remote bases. Passengers took turns flying to give the pilots a break. It was a long and noisy trip over a week. Another time they were using up flight hours and we did scenic trips around Darwin, great fun harnessed in the load bay sitting on the ramp with it down.
another early example of Canadian aircraft genius.
Great Canadian aircraft . Checkout the Avro Arrow.
.
Australia and Canada have both harsh landscapes, which requires better quality equipment than most other western countries.
I'm flying with this aircraft with widerøe, i was surprised when i got the email that they had an equipment change and that we'd be flying with this old relic. Got the avgeek in me super excited!
Wonderful looking aircraft.
Never sit in the tail, watching the Pilots swim left and right as the tail does its dance is a recipe for blowing chunks.........great ride.