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D-667 Boeing CH-47D Chinook c/n G-009 / M.3667 - Koninklijke Luchtmacht 298 sqdn - Gilze-Rijen AFB in Holland - 29 August 2012 Royal Netherlands Navy Lynx 277

The Boeing CH-47D Chinook is a multi-mission, heavy lift transport helicopter, powered by two 4.500 shp Avco Lycoming T55-L-712 turboshafts. The twin-engine, tandem rotor Chinook helicopter was introduced in in 1962 as the CH-47 Chinook. Development of the Boeing CH-47 Chinook began in 1956 as Vertol Model 114. On 25 June 1958, the US Army issued an invitation for a Medium Transport Helicopter and the Vertol Model 114 was selected. In 1960, Boeing bought Vertol Aircraft Corporation and the helicopter was rebranded as Boeing-Vertol Model 114. At that time, the company had three tandem-rotor helicopters under production: the Chinook for the U.S.Army, the Sea Knight for the U.S.Navy and the Marines, and the commercial 107-11 for the airlines. The Boeing-Vertol CH-47A Chinook, or Model 114, bears a marked resemblance to the Boeing-Vertol CH-46A Sea Knight and Model 107-II helicopter but is a very much larger and heavier helicopter. The original HC-1B Chinook was powered by two Lycoming T55-L-5 free turbines each rated at 2,200 shp. Th HC-1B could accommodate thirty-two troops, twenty-seven paratroops, twenty-four stretcher casualties, or heavy freight loads, a rear loading ramp being provided. Five pe-production YHC-1B Chinooks were built. The first YHC-1B Chinook, c/n B001, was completed on 28 April 1961, but severely damaged during the initial ground run and further used for ground resonance tests. The second YHC-1B Chinook, c/n B002, was the first Chinook to fly, commencing trials on 21 September 1961. On 18 September 1962, the United States Department of Defense redesignated all U.S. military aircraft to a new United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system and as a result the YHC-1B helicopters were redesignated YCH-47A. In 1965, the Boeing-Vertol CH-47A Chinook helicopters entered service with the U.S. Army as an army battlefield mobility vehicle. Development of the CH-47 Chinook continued and the CH-47B supplanted the CH-47A in production, followed by the CH-47C. The CH-47 models A, B and C were deployed in Vietnam. In 1975, development of the CH-47D version started as modernisation programme of CH-47A, B and C Chinooks. The first of three CH-47D Chinook prototypes was a conversion of the CH-47A and flew first on 11 May 1979. The second prototype was a conversion of the CH-47B and the third a conversion of the CH-47C. The CH-47D features composite rotor blades, an improved electrical system, modularized hydraulics, triple cargo hooks, avionics and communication improvements, and more powerful Avco Lycoming T55-L-712 tuboshaft engines each rated at 4,500 shp. The CH-47D Chinook can handle a 25,000-pound useful load, nearly twice the Chinook's original lift capacity. The first CH-47Ds were delivered in 1982. Today, the CH-47F/MH-47G modernization program is in full-rate production. Using the Chinook airframe, Boeing Helicopters also built the Model 234 and 234LR, the commercial Chinook used for passengers, cargo, oil and gas exploration, and logging. The civil Boeing Model 234 Chinook can carry up to 2 crew and 44 passengers. Since its introduction over 1200 Chinooks have been built.

In March 1993, the Dutch Government signed an agreement with the Canadian Government for the acquisition of seven CH-47C helicopters, which were no longer used by the Canadian Forces. These Chinooks were in Canadian service until 1992, with the designation CH-147. In December 1993, the number of Chinooks needed for the Koninklijke Luchtmacht / Royal Netherlands Air Force was set at thirteen: six new CH-47D Chinooks and the seven CH-147 Chinooks formerly belonging to the Canadian Forces. The Canadian surplus CH-47C Chinooks were 'remanufactured' into CH-47Ds at the same standard as the new CH-47D Chinooks. All Dutch CH-47D Chinooks have an advanced ACMS (Avionics Control & Management System) cockpit and are powered by two 4.868 shp Honeywell T55-L-714A turboshaft engines. The reworked CH-47Ds were delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) between August 1995 and February 1996. The new CH-47D Chinooks were delivered in 1998. The "Canadian" CH-47D Chinooks were registered D-661 to D-667 and the new CH-47Ds D-101 to D-106. All thirteen CH-47D Chinooks entered service with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) 298 squadron at Soesterberg AFB. At that time 298 squadron was part of the Tactische Helikopter Groep - Klu (THG-Klu). On 4 July 2008, the THG merged with the Maritime Helicopter Groep (MARHELI) and the Defence Helicopter Command (DHC) was created. In anticipation of the closure of Soesterberg AFB, 298 squadron moved to Gilze Rijen AFB on 6 October 2008. Soesterberg AFB was permanently closed on 13 June 2009.

Planning is to extend the number of Chinooks in service with the Royal Netherlands Air Force to twenty. In 2008, six new CH-47F Chinooks were ordered. Two of these replaced the two CH-47Ds D-104 and D-105 that were lost in Afghanistan. On 1 October 2012, the first of the CH-47F Chinooks, CH-47F D-891, arrived on delivery at Gilze-Rijen Air Base, and on 24 September 2013 delivery was completed. On 14 April 2016, was announced that the defence ministry ordered 12 new Chinook F transport helicopters to replace its aging fleet of 11 Chinook Ds. In addition, the six relatively new Chinook Fs already being flown by the airforce would most likely be upgraded.

Boeing CH-47D D-667 was built under US BuNo 74-22066 by Boeing-Vertol in Morton, Pennsylvania, as a CH-47C Chinook (Model 173) with c/n G-009 / B-769 and delivered to the Canadian Air Force. On 3 March 1978, the CH-147 Chinook entered service as 147009 with No. 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario. Later the CH-147 was transferred to No. 447 (HT) Squadron at CFB Edmonton, Alberta, and finally withdrawn from use by the Canadian Air Force in February 1992. The helicopter was "remanufactured" by Boeing to CH-47D under US BuNo 93-0667, conversion number M.3667 and new company number B-796. On 2 March 1996, the Boeing CH-47D was delivered to Royal Netherlands Air Force 298 Squadron as D-667. In various publications is suggested that the helicopter should recieve serial number NL007, but NL007 is probably the customercode used for the helicopter. In service with the Koninklijke Luchtmacht, Chinook D-667 was named "Rodney".

page last updated: 01-05-2016
Copyright © Jack Wolbrink, Emmen, the Netherlands
 

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