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Description
| Notes: ALL-WEATHER transport designed for short takeoff and landing in forward battle areas on improved strips. (3 CREW, 6000 LBS CARGO, 31 PASSENGERS, 25 PARATROOPS, OR 20 LITTER PATIENTS) . | ||
| Manufacturer: | De Havilland Canada | |
| Base model: | C-7 | |
| Designation: | C-7 | |
| Version: | A | |
| Nickname: | Caribou | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Tri-Service | |
| Designation Period: | 1962-Present | |
| Basic role: | Transport | |
Specifications
| Length: | 72' 7" | 22.1 m | |
| Height: | 3' 8" | 1.1 m | |
| Wingspan: | 95' 7" | 29.1 m | |
| Wingarea: | 912.0 sq ft | 84.7 sq m | |
| Empty Weight: | 16,920 lb | 7,673 kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 28,500 lb | 12,925 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 2 | ||
| Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7M2 | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 1450 | ||
Performance
| Cruise Speed: | 181 mph | 291 km/h | 157 kt |
| Max Speed: | 216 mph | 347 km/h | 187 kt |
| Climb: | 1,575 ft/min | 480 m/min | |
| Ceiling: | 24,800 ft | 7,558 m | |
Known serial numbers
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| Museum of Aviation | Warner Robins AFB | Georgia |
| New England Air Museum | Windsor Locks | Connecticut |
| Travis Air Force Museum | Travis AFB | California |
| United States Air Force Museum | Wright-Patterson | Ohio |
C-7A on display
Museum of Aviation | New England Air Museum | United States Air Force Museum |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Jay Baker Georgetown, TX | I was a young USAF aircraft maintenance officer when I received orders to Viet Nam in May 1966. The orders stated I was to attend an aircraft familiarization course at FT.Benning, GA. "Why"? I inquired and that was my first introduction with the, then Army Cv-2 Caribou which was to be transitioned to the USAF on 1 January 1967 and would be air force designated C-7A Caribou. I was part of the inital cadre into Vung Tau, RVN arriving around 1 September 1966. Worked with the army for four months as our initial contingent of pilots and mechanics trickled in. This was the jet age for the air force and reciprocating engine mechanics were fast becoming a scarce commodity. Some of the mechanics had transitioned to other specialty fields i.e. security police, data processing, etc only to be recalled to their original specialty of reciprocating engine aircraft mechanic. Anyhow, it was a n enjoyable and unusual tour for me. I enjoyed working with the aircraft and the people I worked with including a Dehavilland tech rep and a Pratt and Whitney tech rep. 08/05/2008 @ 12:45 [ref: 22360] |
| Harrison G. Cunningham Woodbury, NJ | I was at Da Nang AFB in 1968. During a driving monsoon one afternoon I was watching aircraft taking off and landing. It was during this time that I saw the most unusual site ever. A Caribou was attempting to land into the wind. The aircraft flew low towards the runway with it's engines spooled up. It was barely making any headway into the wind. Just before the aircraft touched the ground the pilot chopped his trottles. In doing so the wind actually pushed the aircraft backwards approx 10 feet before it landed. It was the first and only time I every saw or heard of an aircraft doing this. Please let me know if anyone else experienced something like this. I hope and pray the pilot is still around to confirm my story, (combat area). 05/28/2008 @ 11:21 [ref: 21040] |
| Tom Small Evansville, IN | I was an engine mechanic at Camh Ran Bay 69-70. We had 70-90 birds, very large engine rebuild shop. Took care of repair, flight recovery and in country repair. I was fortunate enough to worked on this wonderful aircraft all over the country, including recovery of a down aircraft in Cambodia and Chang My, Thailand. I crawled over this engine so many times, it seems I could do anything with my eyes closed. The army loved to see these aircraft drop in on the dirt strips for supplies. I was on many flights, going to repair and aircraft someplace. 03/04/2008 @ 18:10 [ref: 19862] |
| James Sullivan Brentwood, CA | I was the chief Air Traffic Controller at the tower in Vung Tau in 1971. We heard an explosion in one of the maintance hangers, we knew it wasn't enemy attack. A while later we recived a call from the hospital there, it happens that a young mechanic was cutting the top of a 55 gal. drum with a torch when it blew up and crushed his chest. They put him in an artificial respirator (a mechanical lung?) and it didn't fit in a Huey so we needed a Caribou to take him to Long Binh, but there was none on base. We were aware that the USAF Caribou run was on its way so we ask them to skip what ever stop he had to and to come and pick up the wounded man. They aked for the wind, however it was 90 degrees crosswind ad 20 kts so they refused to come. An Australian Caribou pilot heard us an he asked again for the wind ans said "here I come". He landed in two wheels (right and nose) and the right wing almost rubbing the runway, we closed our eyes and we heard "WHOA BRONCO! " from the pilot. He landed. on the way out the same story. The soldier died on the way to the hospital. The crew of that Caribou, who was stationed there with us never paid for another drink there,I know that an Army pilot would have done the same. 12/16/2007 @ 14:34 [ref: 18942] |
| Gary Buchanan Roseburg, OR | I went to nam in oct of 67, we were sent way down south in the delta. A place called can tho. I was air force and this was army post. It was around soc trang somewhere. Spentnov. and dec. there then we traded huey's for the caribous. They then sent us to cam rahn bay,Jan of 67. I spent time t.d.y. at phu cat in mar or apr of 67 for 30 days. Also flew all over the place, hauling whatever. Any body from cam rahn remember the problems we had landing in those winds. Grounded us some days it was so bad. Great old airplane, Tough as aboot. 10/22/2007 @ 09:46 [ref: 18271] |
| Bill Waddell Helena, MT | Am proud to say I was a member of the 1st Aviation Company (FWLT). We were the first Caribou unit. Flew CV-2's from Ft Benning to Thialand in 1962. In Decemeber of 62 moved unit to Vungtau. Still miss them and an darn sorry we had to give them to the Air Force. 10/01/2007 @ 14:44 [ref: 18071] |
| Jon Lecure , MO | I was with the 903rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron stationed at Phu Cat AB, RVN in Feb. 68 thru Feb. 69. The C7A was one of the aircraft that we used for air evac operations throughout VN. 09/04/2007 @ 09:10 [ref: 17831] |
| Tim Dillon Staten Island, NY | I was a crew chief at Vung Tau Sept68-Sept69.The Bou was the best.She never let us down.Im sure she could still have great use today if given the chance and Im sure there would be plenty of volunteers to make it happen. 04/16/2007 @ 18:50 [ref: 16201] |
| Mike Pentecost Idaho Falls, ID | I flew the C-7A out of Vung Tau South Vietnam-1968 to 1969 with the 535TH TAS. Typical missions as I recall started at 6:00am and we did not return til all frag orders were complete. Usually a good twelve hour day or longer. Average of six to eight sorties per day. The airplane performed flawlessly considering the number of sorties per day and this was in part due to the fact that we had excellant maint. and mechanics who knew radial engines. The Caribou Association holds annual reunions for anyone interested. 11/25/2006 @ 08:55 [ref: 14842] |
| Bob Farmer , IN | Hi,
I was a Flight Mech on the ole Bou at Cam Rahn Bay Republic of, with the 457th from 71 thru 72. Was lucky enough to win the drawing to be the flight mech on the Santa Bou (457th) in Dec 71. Was at Dayton, Ohio reunion of the AC-119 gunship Assoc. that I served with on my 1st tour to the Republic of, and got to take a look up close again at the ole Bou did the ole heart good to see her again. great Plane!!!! Bob Farmer 11/08/2006 @ 13:36 [ref: 14694] |
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