de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo

History of the de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo

The De Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada's DHC-5 Buffalo is essentially an enlarged turboprop version of the De Havilland DHC-4 CaribouDHC-4 Caribou. This type of T-tail and large engine nacelles differ slightly from its predecessor.

The De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo prototype (US Army 63-13686) first flew on April 9, 1964, followed by the Caribou's turboprop on September 22, 1961 as "DH Caribou II". Yes. Like the De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou, it is a rugged short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft, ideal for operating at unprepared airports. The De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo stands out by offering twice the payload capacity of the De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou and superior short-field performance.

With a capacity of up to 41 soldiers, or approximately 18,000 pounds of cargo payload, power is provided by two 3,133-horsepower GE CT64 turboprop engines.

Four test aircraft (designated YAC-2, later C-8) delivered to the US Army. This was followed by 15 CC-115 transports from RCAF.

In 1974, a new variant of the de Havilland DHC-5D began production and was exported in small numbers to several countries. Export customers include Abu Dhabi (5), Brazil (24), Cameroon (5), Chile (1), Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo) (3), Ecuador (4), Egypt (10), Indonesia, Kenya (10), Mauritania (2), Mexico (2), Oman (3), Peru (16), Sudan (4), Tanzania (6), Togo (2) and Zambia (7).

A total of 126 De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalos (build numbers c/n1 to c/n126) were built, with the last production De Havilland DHC-5D delivered to the Kenyan Air Force in December 1986. [ /p]

The de Havilland DHC-5E Transporter is a civilian transport variant expected to carry 48 passengers. Although a prototype/demonstrator was built, the program was scrapped following the plane's landing accident at the 1984 Farnborough Airshow.

The De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo type certificate is now held by Viking Air Ltd, which provides parts and support services to the remaining fleet worldwide.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Service

1965

Origins

Canada

Status

Active.

Crew

3

Production

122

Manufacturer

de Havilland Canada - Canada

Operators

Brazil; Cameroon; Canada; Chile; Democratic Republic of Congo; Ecuador; Egypt; Ethiopia; Indonesia; Kenya; Mauritania; Mexico; Oman; Peru; Sudan; Tanzania; Go; United Arab Emirate; United States; Zaire; Zambia

Roles

Transportation

General transport function for moving supplies/cargo or people (including casualties and VIPs) out of range.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

78.7 feet

(24.00m)

Width/span

96. 0 feet

(29.26m)

Height

28.6 feet

(8.73m)

Cured weight

25,133 lbs

(11,400 kg)

MTOW

49,163 lbs

(22,300 kg)

Wgt Difference

+?24,030

(+10,900 kg)

Performance

Installed:

2 GE CT64-820-4 turboprops, 3,133 hp each.

Maximum speed

290 km/h

(467 km/h | 252 knots)

Maximum

31,004 feet

(9,450 m | 6 km)

Area

691 km

(1,112 km | 2,059 nautical miles)

rate of climb

2,330 ft/min

(710 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Armor

None.

VARIANTS

DHC-5 "Buffalo" - Base series name and original production model. DHC-5A - Brazilian/Canadian/Peru Air Force transport aircraft. DHC-5B - Proposed variant of 2 x GE CT64-P5C turboprops. DHC-5C - Suggested variant for 2 x Rolls Royce Dar RDa. 12 turboprop engines.

DHC-5D - Modified DHC-5A; equipped with 2 GE CT64-820-4 turboprop engines, 3,133 hp each. DHC-5E "Transporter" - Civil Market Model C-8A - Wing Research Testbed for NASAViking DHC-5NG Buffalo ("Next Generation") - Modernized form proposed by Viking Air. CC-115 - Canadian Air Force designation DHC-5A; 15 delivered. AC-2 - U.S. Army class aircraft designation.

CV-7A - US Army Designated AC-2 Aircraft C-8A - US Air Force Designated CV-7A Aircraft (4) Provided by the Army.