Caribou (Total: 26, Canadian: 26, Group 0)

de Havilland Canada Caribou

(DND Photo via James Craik)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
de Havilland CC-108 Caribou Mk. 1A (Serial No. 5323).

The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou (designated by the United States military as the CV-2 and later C-7 Caribou) is a Canadian-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing (STOL) 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. The Caribou was flown by No. 424 Squadron Transport and Rescue Squadron, until it was retired from the Canadian Forces in 1971.

The de Havilland Canada company's third STOL design was the first DHC design powered by two engines. The Caribou was primarily flown as a military tactical transport. The United States Army ordered 173 in 1959 and took delivery in 1961 under the designation AC-1, which was changed to CV-2 Caribou in 1962.

The majority of Caribou production was destined for military operators, but the type's ruggedness and excellent STOL capabilities requiring runway lengths of only 1200 feet (365 metres) also appealed to some commercial users. Harold Skaarup web page

YouTube Caribou

Wikipedia Wikipedia Caribou

General Vintage Wings Web Page

Caribou 5303, Mk. I / IA

s/n 5303

m/d DHC-4

c/n 1

de Havilland canada

5303

First prototype Caribou; first flown as CF-KTK-X. First flight, with this registration, on 30 July 1958. Originally flown with short fuselage, but modified to production standards before delivery to RCAF. Loaned back to de Havilland Canada in 1961 for engine tests leading to Buffalo program. First flight as Caribou II on 22 September 1961, fitted with General Electric YT64 engines. Reported capable of exceeding VNE in level flight in this configuration. Much of the test flying was done by DHC pilot R. Fowler. Completed 220 hour test program, returned to standard configuration. Delivered as a Mk. I, updated to Mk. IA configuration on 15 July 1964 while with No. 102 (K) Unit at RCAF Station Trenton. Passed through Gatwick, UK on 2 October 1966, in UN markings. Served with No. 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton from July 1968. Sold to Tanzanian AF, their serial number JW9011. Delivered via Prestwick on 15 July 1971. Later registered as 5H-AAF. To US civil register in March 1979, as N1016N, registered to John Woods Inc. of Dallas, Texas. Reported destroyed 22 June 1979.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1960-May-24 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1971-June-15 Struck off Strength Struck off, sold to Tanzania. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 291 | 1968 632 | 2005 121

Caribou 5320, Mk. IA

s/n 5320

m/d DHC-4

c/n 9

de Havilland Canada

5320

First flown as CF-LVA. Last prototype Caribou, first flight with this registration in 1959. Completed world sales tour in 1959/1960, covering 50,000 miles and visiting 40 countries, before passing to RCAF. Had been built as a Mk. I, but updated to Mk. IA before delivery to RCAF. Passed through Gatwick, UK in August and September 1962, in UN markings. With No. 102 (K) Unit at RCAF Station Trenton from May 1964. With No. 117 Air Transport Unit when it received Category B damage on 27 October 1965, in a crash landing at Kakoropar, India. Repaired on site by Hindustan Aircraft using nose from 5324.Back to No. 102 KU, renumbered No. 424 (T&R) Squadron in July 1968, at Trenton, Ontario. Also used by No. 115 Air Transport Unit on UN duties, dates not known. To Tanzanian AF, their serial number JW9012, on 15 July 1971. To US civil register as N1016P, registered to John Woods Inc. on 22 June 1979. Still registered in early 1990s, but off register by 2005.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1960-August-08 Taken on Strength 2020-10-20
   1971-June-28 Struck off Strength Struck off, sold to Tanzania. 2020-10-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 291 | 1968 632 | 2005 121

Caribou 5321, Mk. IA

s/n 5321

m/d DHC-4

c/n 10

de Havilland Canada

5321

First flown as CF-LWM for manufacturer's tests. Had been built as a Mk. I, but updated to Mk. IA before delivery to RCAF. Passed through Gatwick, UK on 19 September 1962. Operated by No. 102 (KU) Composite Unit from May 1964, later renumbered No. 424 (T) Squadron in 1968, from Trenton, Ontario. Operated in Egypt and Gaza in 1960, in UN colours. To Tanzanian Air Force, their serial JW9013, on 15 June 1971. To US civil register in 1982, as N1016S, owned by John Woods Inc. Later registered as N32620. Reported derelict in Djibouti in 1990s, following a heavy landing. Registration cancelled in 2002, reported destroyed.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1960-August-08 Taken on Strength TOS 08 Aug 1960 per Inv Card. 2020-10-22
   1971-June-15 Struck off Strength Struck off, sold to Tanzania. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 291 | 1968 632 | 2005 121

Caribou 5322, Mk. IA

s/n 5322

m/d DHC-4

c/n 11

de Havilland Canada

5322

Had been built as a Mk. I, but updated to Mk. IA before delivery to RCAF. Operated by No. 102 (KU) Composite Unit, later renumbered No. 424 (T&R) Squadron, from Trenton, Ontario. Visited Dusseldorf, Germany, in UN markings, in 1965 and 1966. Passed through Gatwick, UK on 26 June 1966, in UN markings. To Tanzanian Air Force, their serial JW9014, on 15 June 1971. Stored at Safi, Malta in 1981, registered as 5H-AAC. Later registered to New Cal Aviation as N3262X, this registration cancelled in 1986. Reported back to Malta for scrapping, fuselage used for fire training at International Fire & Safety School there in 1990s.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1960-August-08 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1971-June-15 Struck off Strength Struck off, sold to Tanzania 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 291 | 2005 121

Caribou 5323, Mk. IA

s/n 5323

m/d DHC-4

c/n 12

de Havilland Canada

5323

Had been built as a Mk. I, but updated to Mk. IA before delivery to RCAF. Operated by No. 102 (KU) Composite unit, later renumbered No. 424 (T&R) Squadron, from Trenton, Ontario. Passed through Gatwick, UK on 18 December 1962. To Tanzanian Air force, their serial JW9015, on 15 July 1971. Crashed near border with Uganda on 15 November 1974, carrying ammunition to troops engaged on border.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1960-October-28 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1971-July-14 Struck off Strength Struck off, sold to Tanzania. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 291 | 2005 121

Caribou 5324, Mk. 1B

s/n 5324

m/d DHC-4

c/n 113

de Havilland Canada

5324

Operated by No. 102 (KU) Composite Unit, later renumbered No. 424 (T&R) Squadron, from Trenton, Ontario. Passed through Gatwick, UK on 3 June 1964. Assigned to UNMOGIP (United Nations Multination Observer Group in Pakistan) in Pakistan and India, operated by No.117 Air Transport Unit. Strafed and set on fire by Pakistani F-86s while parked at Srinagar, India on 8 or 9 September 1965. No injuries. Wreckage returned to Canada, after nose section used in repair of 5320 in India.

Image below - RCAF Caribou 5324 assigned to UNMOGIP, Srinagar, Kashmir, straffed by 4 PAF F-86 Sabres on 7 September 1965. Photo taken by the pilot, Flight Lieutenant George Mumby, from his logbook. Probably the clearest photo of this incident, showing the destruction of the aircraft.

last update: 2024-December-25
   1964-April-23 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1965-September-17 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 291

Caribou 5325, Mk. 1B

s/n 5325

m/d DHC-4

c/n 115

de Havilland Canada

5325

Operated by No. 102 (KU) Composite unit, later renumbered No. 424 (T&R) Squadron, from Trenton, Ontario. Passed through Gatwick, UK on 4 October 1967, in UN markings. Red high-vis markings on tail, cowlings and wing tips by 1967. To Tanzanian Air Force, their serial JW9006,on 28 June 1971. Later reported as 5H-AAD. To US register as N10162 by 1979, later registered as N3262Y to John Woods. This registration cancelled on 10 June 2002, reported destroyed.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1964-April-23 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1971-September-19 Struck off Strength Struck off, after sale to Tanzania. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 291 | 2005 121

Caribou 5326, Mk. 1B

s/n 5326

m/d DHC-4

c/n 166

de Havilland Canada

5326

Operated by No. 102 (KU) Composite unit, later renumbered No. 424 (T&R) Squadron, from Trenton, Ontario. Passed through Gatwick, UK on 29 September 1968. To Tanzanian Air Force, their serial JW9006, on 15 July 1971. To John Woods by 1979, registered first as N1016P and later N10165. This last registration cancelled on 14 March 1980. Also on Kenyan register as 5H-AAD, dates unknown (is this confused with another Caribou?). This aircraft reported in pieces at Nairobi, date unknown.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1964-May-26 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1971-July-14 Struck off Strength Struck off, sold to Tanzania. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 291 | 2005 121

Caribou 5327, Mk. 1B

s/n 5327

m/d DHC-4

c/n 206

de Havilland Canada

5327

With No. 102 (KU) Composite Unit at CFB Trenton, Ontario from 1964. Passed through Gatwick, UK on 25 October 1967. Still with this unit when it was redesignated No.424 (T) Squadron, then 424 (T&R) Squadron, in 1968. Fitted with large camera fairing over cockpit in fall of 1969 by de Havilland Canada. Operated across Canada by 424 Squadron crews and the National Film Board to film documentary shown at Canadian Pavilion in World Fair at Osaka, Japan in 1970. To Tanzanian Air Force, their serial JW9005, on 28 June 1971. To US civil register with John Woods Inc. of Dallas, Texas as N10167. Also registered as 5H-MRQ, and N3760D from 3 November 1980 with this owner. Reported stored at Shannon, Ireland from 1982, scrapped there in 1990. Fuselage sold to New Cal Aviation.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1964-September-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1971-July-14 Struck off Strength Struck off, sold to Tanzania. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 291 | 2005 121

Caribou FM1100,

s/n FM1100

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 245

de Havilland Canada

FM 1100

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force
last update: 2025-February-05
   1966-March-08 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1966-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1101,

s/n FM1101

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 246

de Havilland Canada

FM 1101

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force
last update: 2025-February-05
   1966-March-08 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1966-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1102,

s/n FM1102

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 247

de Havilland Canada

FM 1102

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force
last update: 2025-February-05
   1966-March-08 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1966-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1103,

s/n FM1103

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 248

de Havilland Canada

FM 1103

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force
last update: 2025-February-05
   1966-March-08 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1966-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1104,

s/n FM1104

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 270

de Havilland Canada

FM 1104

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force. Flew away August 1969 for Malaysia
last update: 2025-February-05
   1969-February-14 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1970-April-20 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1105,

s/n FM1105

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 273

de Havilland Canada

FM 1105

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force. Flew away to Malaysia August 1969
last update: 2025-February-05
   1969-March-17 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1970-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1106,

s/n FM1106

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 276

de Havilland Canada

FM 1106

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force. Flew away to Malaysia August 1969
last update: 2025-February-05
   1969-March-17 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1970-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1107,

s/n FM1107

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 276

de Havilland Canada

FM 1107

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force. Flew away to Malaysia August 1969
last update: 2025-February-05
   1969-April-15 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1970-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1108,

s/n FM1108

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 277

de Havilland Canada

FM 1108

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force. Flew away to Malaysia August 1969
last update: 2025-February-05
   1969-April-29 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1970-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1109,

s/n FM1109

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 277

de Havilland Canada

FM 1109

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force. Flew away to Malaysia August 1969
last update: 2025-February-05
   1969-May-07 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1970-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1110,

s/n FM1110

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 279

de Havilland Canada

FM 1110

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force. Flew away to Malaysia August 1969
last update: 2025-February-05
   1969-May-27 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1970-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1111,

s/n FM1111

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 280

de Havilland Canada

FM 1111

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force. Flew away to Malaysia August 1969
last update: 2025-February-05
   1969-June-12 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1970-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou FM1112,

s/n FM1112

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 281

de Havilland Canada

FM 1112

Received at ATC No 6 RD Trenton. Delivered to Royal Malaysian Air Force. Flew away to Malaysia August 1969
last update: 2025-February-05
   1969-July-04 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1970-April-21 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou JW9001,

s/n JW9001

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 242

de Havilland Canada

JW9001

Received at 6 RD Trenton. Transferred to interim storage at Downsview. Back to ATC 102 KU Trenton then delivered to Tanzania Defense Force
last update: 2024-December-25
   1966-January-18 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1966-April-19 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou JW9002,

s/n JW9002

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 243

de Havilland Canada

JW9002

Received at 6 RD Trenton. Transferred to interim storage at Downsview. Back to ATC 102 KU Trenton then delivered to Tanzania Defense Force
last update: 2024-December-25
   1966-January-18 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1966-April-19 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou JW9003,

s/n JW9003

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 244

de Havilland Canada

JW9003

Received at ATC, 102 KU Trenton then delivered to Tanzania Defense Force
last update: 2024-December-25
   1966-November-04 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1967-January-30 to Other Military 2022-03-26

Caribou JW9004,

s/n JW9004

m/d DHC-4A

c/n 245

de Havilland Canada

JW9004

Received at ATC 102 KU Trenton then delivered to Tanzania Defense Force
last update: 2024-December-25
   1966-November-04 Taken on Strength 2022-03-26
   1967-January-30 to Other Military 2022-03-26