The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is twin-engined, tandem rotor, heavy lifting helicopter developed by American Vertol Rotorcraft Company and manufactured by Boeing Vertol (later known as Boeing Rotorcraft System). The CH-47 is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters. Its name, Chinook, is from the Native American Chinook people of modern-day Washington State. A total of 233 CH-47Cs were built. Canada bought a total of eight CH-47Cs; deliveries of the type began in 1974. Receiving the Canadian designation "CH-147", these were fitted with a power hoist above the crew door; other changes included a flight engineer station in the rear cabin: operators referred to the configuration as the "Super C". The Netherlands acquired all seven of the Canadian Forces' surviving CH-147s and upgraded them to CH-47D standard.
On 18 October 1974, a CH-47C, US (Serial No. 74-22058) crashed. It had been assigned Canadian Forces (Serial No. 147001) but was never carried Canadian Forces markings. It was lost on its delivery flight to Canada following gear failure in main combining gear box, caused by undetected metal infraction in gear blank before machining. This failure led to drive shaft failure and loss of synchronization. There were five fatalities. After a lengthy litigation, it was replaced by (Serial No. 147009).
CH-147C (Serial No. 147002) was destroyed at Rankin Inlet, NWT on 17 August 1982, when it struck a light pole with its rotors while taxiing. The helicopter overturned onto airport fuel tanks and was destroyed by the subsequent fire. There were three fatalities.
In 2008, Canada purchased 6 CH-47Ds, designated CH-147D, from the U.S. Over 39 years old when supplied to Canadian Forces. Purchased second hand from US Army for $252 million, for use by Canadian Forces Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing at Kandahar, Afghanistan. They had been in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB in US, arrived on 22 September 2011. CH-147D (Serial No. 147202) was destroyed by enemy action on 4 August 2010. It was burned out after a forced landing caused by small arms fire, no casualties. (Serial No. 147207) was leased from the US Army in Afghanistan in 2010, as a replacement for 147202. The remaining five were sold in 2011 after the end of Canada's mission in Afghanistan.
Boeing Vertol CH-147D Chinook (Serial No. 147201) is on display at the National Air Force Museum of Canada at CFB Trenton, Ontario.
Boeing Vertol CH-147D Chinook (Serial No. 147206) is on display as a gate guardian at 4 CDSB Petawawa, Ontario.
On 10 August 2009, Canada signed a contract for 15 extensively modified and upgraded CH-47Fs for the Canadian Forces, later delivered in 2013"“2014 with the Canadian designation CH-147F. (Serial No. 147301 was the first new built CH-147F. It carried US civil Reg. No. N256CN, reserved on 13 December 2011 for manufacturer's flight tests. It made its first flight on 24 June 2012, at Boeing-Vertol facility in Pennsylvania. Harold Skaarup web page
CH-147 Chinook Kestrel Publications
Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US serial 74-22058 assigned, Lost on delivery flight to Canada on 18 October 1974, following gear failure in main combining gear box, caused by undetected metal infraction in gear blank before machining. This failure led to drive shaft failure and loss of synchronization. Five fatalities, including Capt. D.E. Cavanaugh CD; Sgt. H.L. Korfam CD; and Caporal-Chef Y.G. Deschamps CD. After lengthy litigation, replaced by 147009.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US serial 74-22059 assigned, never marked while with Canadian Forces. With 450 Squadron at CFB Ottawa, Ontario. To Valcartier in August 1977 for Exercise Non Nova, with 5 Brigade Group. To NAS Quonset Point for trials slinging torpedos in February 1979. Recovered escape capsule from USAF F-111 crash in August 1980, north of CFB Bagotville, Quebec. To CFB Meaford, Ontario in January 1981 for artillery lifts with Chinooks from US Army 159th Company. To CFB Gagetown, NB in June 1981 for Exercise RV 81. Destroyed at Rankin Inlet, NWT on 17 August 1982, struck a light pole with rotors while taxiing. Aircraft overturned onto airport fuel tanks, destroyed by subsequent fire. Master Corporal Y.G. Deschamps CD; Lt. D.C. Allen and Cpl. J.Y. Vadnais killed.Known Squadron Assignments: 450; 447
US serial 74-22060 assigned, never marked while with Canadian Forces. With 450 Squadron, CFB Uplands, Ontario. Detached to St. Jean, Quebec to support Montreal Olympics security in summer of 1976. Took part in flying display at 1978 International Air Show, Toronto, Ont. Later with 447 (HT) Squadron at CFB Edmonton, Alberta. Took part in Canadian/US/RAF mountain flying exercise at Vernon, BC in September 1980. To CFB Gagetown, NB in June 1981 for Exercise RV 81 with this Squadron. Converted by Boeing to CH-47D from 1994, new US serial 93-0661, conversion number M.3661, new company number B725. Delivered to R. Netherlands Air Force on 3 August 1996, their serial number NL001, later D-661. Named "Red October", after a near "incident" during water landing trials. Operated by 298 Squadron. Supported UN operations in Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2001, and in the Former Yugoslavia in 2002. Still active January 2009.Known Squadron Assignments: 447; 450
US serial 74-22061 assigned, never marked while with Canadian Forces. With 447 Squadron at CFB Namao, Alberta and 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario. Operated in support of mapping exercises on Baffin Island in June 1978. Delivered two 105 mm guns and crews of 30th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery's from Ottawa to Fort Drum, NY in March 1980. Picked up a Platoon from 48th Highlanders from Moss Park in downtown Toronto in May 1980 for a airmobile exercise in Camp Borden. Forced to jettison CF101 101010 sling load into Lake Ontario on 25 June 1991, while transporting the Voodoo from Montain View to Trenton for display. Converted by Boeing to CH-47D from 1994, new US serial 93-0662, conversion number M.3662, new company number B726. Delivered to R. Netherlands Air Force, on 5 April 1996 their serial number NL002, later D-662. Named "Lady Liberty". Operated by 298 Squadron, in Afghanistan by 2006. Still active November 2008.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US serial 74-22062 assigned, never marked while with Canadian Forces. With 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario. Took part in Arctic 78 mapping exercise at Nanasivik, NWT in June 1978. Supported US Navy under ice torpedo trials SUBICEX 79 in March 1979. Used to recover torpedoes fired from the nuclear submarine USS Archerfish back to Thule Greenland from locations on the arctic ice pack between Baffin Island and Greenland. 450 Sqn received a US Secretary of the Navy commendation for this mission. Took part in Toronto International Air show in September 1979 and London Air show in June 1980. Carried Governor General Schreyer and party from Rideau Hall in Ottawa to Fesserton, Ontario on 18 June 1980. Took part in mountain flying exercise near Vernon, BC in September 1980. Attewmpted to recover wreckage of Otter 9407 in mountains near Newburgh, NY on 30 December 1980, after it crashed there on 20 December 1980. To CFB Gagetown, NB in June 1981 for Exercise RV 81 with 450 Squadron. Converted by Boeing to CH-47D from 1994, new US serial 93-0663, conversion number M.3663. Delivered to R. Netherlands Air Force on 8 March 1996, their serial number NL003, later D-663, new company number B728. Named "Blizzard". Operated by 298 Squadron. Still active January 2009.Known Squadron Assignments: 450; 447
US serial 74-22063 assigned, never marked while with Canadian Forces. With No. 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario. To CFB Namao detachment (later 447 Squadron) in 1975. Deployed to NWT in January 1978 in support of Operation Morning Light, recovery of radioactive portions of a Russian satellite that landed in Canada. Converted by Boeing to CH-47D from 1994, new US serial 93-0664, conversion number M.3664, new company number B729. Delivered to R. Netherlands Air Force on 29 December 1995, their serial number NL004, later D-664. Named "Sling King". Operated by 298 Squadron, in Afghanistan by 2006. Still active January 2009.Known Squadron Assignments: 447; 450
US serial 74-22064 assigned, never marked while with Canadian Forces. To CFB Namao detachment (later 447 Squadron) in 1975. Deployed to NWT in January 1978 in support of Operation Morning Light, recovery of radioactive portions of a Russian satellite. With 450 Squadron at CFB Ottawa, Ontario in 1986 when it lifted wreckage of Canso CF-HFL out of the bush in Labrador, for the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum. See http://www.chinook-helicopter.com/history/aircraft/Canadian/canada.html for more information. Also used by 447 Squadron at CFB Namao, Alberta. Converted by Boeing to CH-47D from 1995, new US serial 93-0665, conversion number M.3665, new company number B731. Delivered to R. Netherlands Air Force on 28 December 1995, their serial number NL005, later D-665. Named "Bigfoot". Operated by 298 Squadron. With 1 (NL) Air Task Force in Afghanistan summer of 2007. Still active November 2008.Known Squadron Assignments: 447
US serial 74-22065 assigned, never marked while with Canadian Forces. With 447 Squadron at CFB Namao, Alberta. Deployed to NWT in January 1978 in support of Operation Morning Light, recovery of radioactive portions of a Russian satellite. Took part in Exercise Rapier Thrust III, along Alaska Highway north of Fort St. John, BC in January 1979. Converted by Boeing to CH-47D from 1995, new US serial 93-0666, conversion number M.3666, new company number B732. Delivered to R. Netherlands Air Force on 30 January 1996, their serial number NL006, later D-666. Named "the beast", probably based on US serial number. Operated by 298 Squadron, in Afghanistan by 2006. Still in service November 2008.Known Squadron Assignments: 450; 447
US serial 74-22066 assigned, never marked while with Canadian Forces. With 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario. Later with 447 (HT) Squadron at CFB Edmonton, Alberta. Took part in Exercise Rapier Thrust III, along Alaska Highway north of Fort St. John, BC in January 1979. To CFB Gagetown, NB in June 1981 for Exercise RV 81 with this Squadron. Converted by Boeing to CH-47D from 1995, new US serial 93-0667, conversion number M.3667, new company number B796. Delivered to R. Netherlands Air Force on 2 March 1996, their serial number NL007, later D-667. Named "Rodney". Operated by 298 Squadron. Still active November 2008.Known Squadron Assignments: 8 Wing
Originally built as CH-47C, US Army serial number 68-16017, company number B.609. Converted to CH-47D, new serial number 89-00130, conversion number M.3284. Over 39 years old when supplied to Canadian Forces. Purchased second hand from US Army for use by Canadian Forces Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing at Kandahar, Afghanistan. In storage at Davis-Monthan AFB in US, arrived on 22 September 2011. Recovered from Davis-Monthan AFB and delivered to 8 Wing Trenton, ON on 17 Oct 2016 for restoration and preservation at the National Air Force Museum (NAFM) there.Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally built as CH-47C, US Army serial number 67-18550, company number B.520. Converted to CH-47D, new serial number 84-24181, conversion number M.3085. Over 40 years old when supplied to Canadian Forces. Purchased second hand from US Army for use by Canadian Forces Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing at Kandahar, Afghanistan. Operational, in Canadian markings, by 8 January 2009. On 5 August 2010, Chinook CH147202 was conducting a sustainment mission outside Kandahar Airfield. While transiting at low altitude between two forward operating bases, the aircraft was forced down due to an explosion and in-flight fire. The source of ignition was reported as being due to insurgent fire that was directed towards the a/c. Following the sound of a detonation, flames and black smoke immediately began entering the cabin through the left side of the open rear cargo door. Despite the presence of dark smoke in the cockpit, the pilots were able to rapidly and successfully land the a/c in an open field. After landing, all aircrew members and passengers exited the a/c, although some sustained minor injuries from the fire or during egress.Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally built as CH-47C, US Army serial number 67-18477, company number B.447. Converted to CH-47D, new serial number 87-00081, conversion number M.3200. (Also reported as ex 62-2133/87-0086/M.3205?) Over 41 years old when supplied to Canadian Forces. Purchased second hand from US Army for use by Canadian Forces Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing at Kandahar, Afghanistan. Operational, in Canadian markings, by January 2009. In storage at Davis-Monthan AFB in US, arrived on 22 September 2011.Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally built as CH-47A, US Army serial number 64-13140, company number B.112, accepted on 16 July 1965. Accumulated 3,598.0 hours flying time as a CH-47A, including a tour in Viet Nam with B Company, 228th Aviation Support Helicopter Battalion. Operated with Thai Air Force before returning to the US for the CH-47D program. Converted to CH-47D from 21 October 1983, new serial number 84-24154, conversion number M.3058. By 22 June 1998 had 5,540.2 hours logged time. Over 43 years old when supplied to Canadian Forces. Purchased second hand from US Army for use by Canadian Forces Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing at Kandahar, Afghanistan. Operational, in Canadian markings, by 8 January 2009. Carried name "Black Jack" on forward fuselage. Slight damage on shut down at Kandahar on 18 January 2009. Droop stop fell off on start, rotor blade contacted fuselage on shut down. Stop had been found on ramp, permitting relatively safe shut down.Known Squadron Assignments:
Built as a CH-47A for the US Army, their serial 66-00103, company number B.235, accepted on 15 September 1966. Logged 2,938.1 hours as a CH-47A. Converted to a CH-47D from 26 March 1986, new serial 86-01650, modification number M.3155. Over 42 years old when supplied to the Canadian Forces. Purchased second hand from US Army for use by Canadian Forces Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing at Kandahar, Afghanistan. Operational, in Canadian markings, by January 2009. Carried art work and name "2 for Hooking" on forward fuselage.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
Built as a CH-47A for the US Army, their serial 65-08015, company number B.187, accepted on 10 May 1966. Logged 3,341.3 hours as a CH-47A. Converted to a CH-47D from 2 April 1986, new serial 86-01651, conversion number M.3156. Over 42 years old when supplied to the Canadian Forces. Purchased second hand from US Army for use by Canadian Forces Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing at Kandahar, Afghanistan. Operational, in Canadian markings, by January 2009. In storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, arrived on 28 September 2011. Recovered from Davis-Monthan AFB and delivered to CFB Petawawa, ON on 17 November 2016 for restoration and preservation at the 450 Sqn HQ.Known Squadron Assignments:
Leased from US Army in Afghanistan in 2010, as a replacement for 147202.Known Squadron Assignments:
First new built CH-147F. US civil registration N256CN reserved on 13 December 2011 for manufacturer's flight tests. First flight on 24 June 2012, at Boeing-Vertol facility in Pennsylvania. Note: last CH-147F was accepted by RCAF on 30 June 2014 at Boeing plant in Ridley, Pennsylvania, delivered to Petawawa on 3 July 2014, may have been this aircraft.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N257CN reserved on 13 December 2011 for manufacturer's flight tests. Assigned to 450 Sqn at CFB Petawawa, ON.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N258CN reserved on 16 May 2012 for manufacturer's flight tests. Delivered to Ottawa by a Boeing flight crew on 25 June 2013. Handed over to Canadian Forces in ceremony at Ottawa on 27 June 2013, first CH-147F accepted. Intended for 450 Squadron at CFB Petawawa, Ontario. Remaining aircraft to be delivered at approximately one month intervals.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N259CN reserved on 13 December 2011 for manufacturer's flight tests. Undergoing manufacturer's tests at Boeing plant in Pennsylvania in June 2013. Assigned to 450 Sqn at CFB Petawawa, ON. This a/c was deployed to Mali for UN support operations during Operation PRESENCE in 2018.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N260CN reserved on 9 May 2012 for manufacturer's flight tests. Delivered to Petawawa in October 2013.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N261CN reserved on 13 December 2011 for manufacturer's flight tests. This registration cancelled in June 2014. Assigned to 450 Sqn at CFB Petawawa, ON.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N262CN reserved on 9 May 2012 for manufacturer's flight tests. (This registration cancelled in June 2014.) At CFB Petawawa by 8 December 2013. Assigned to 450 Sqn at CFB Petawawa, ON. This a/c was deployed to Mali for UN support operations during Operation PRESENCE in 2018.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N263CN reserved on 9 May 2012 for manufacturer's flight tests. In final assembly at Boeing plant in Pennsylvania in June 2013, scheduled for delivery in December 2013. (This registration cancelled in June 2014.) Assigned to 450 Sqn at CFB Petawawa, ON.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N265CN reserved on 9 May 2012 for manufacturer's flight tests. In final assembly at Boeing plant in Pennsylvania in June 2013. (This registration cancelled in June 2014.) Assigned to 450 Sqn at CFB Petawawa, ON.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N265CN reserved on 9 May 2012 for manufacturer's flight tests. (This registration cancelled in June 2014.) Seen at Pearson Airport, Toronto, on 13 March 2104. On static display at Abbotsford Air Show in August 2015, with No. 450 Squadron (CFB Petawawa, ON). This a/c was used to sling recover a downed CH146 Griffon from the CLAWR in 4 Wing Cold Lake, AB in December 2018.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N266CN reserved on 9 May 2012 for manufacturer's flight tests. (This registration cancelled in June 2014.) Assigned to 450 Sqn at CFB Petawawa, ON. This a/c was deployed to Mali for UN support operations during Operation PRESENCE in 2018.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N267CN reserved on 9 May 2012 for manufacturer's flight tests. (This registration cancelled in June 2014.) Assigned to No. 450 Sqn at CFB Petawawa, ON.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N268CN reserved on 9 May 2012 for manufacturer's flight tests. (This registration cancelled in June 2014.) Assigned to450 Sqn at CFB Petawawa, ON.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N269CN reserved on 9 May 2012 for manufacturer's flight tests. (This registration cancelled in June 2014.) Assigned to 450 Sqn at CFB Petawawa, ON.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
US civil registration N270CN reserved on 9 May 2012 for manufacturer's flight tests. This registration cancelled in September 2014. Image taken at Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Mount Hope, Hamilton, Ontario on September 11th, 2020. Assigned to 450 Sqn at CFB Petawawa, ON.