[OLD PICS] C-7 Caribous in Vietnam

[k5083]

I haven't posted pics from the Kamm Collection in a few weeks, but I've been continuing to scan the Vietnam stuff. Here are eight pics of C-7 Caribous at CRB.

The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou was a Canadian-designed STOL transport that enjoyed substantial export success, especially with the United States, which bought 159 and used them extensively in Vietnam, initially as the Army CV-2 and later as the USAF C-7. Because of their capabilities they frequently operated close to the fighting and quite a few were lost in combat. They have the most extensive and distinguished combat record of any Canadian designed aircraft. Some are still in service with Australia and Brazil.

The tail number on this aircraft clearly reads "12583" which I interpret as 61-2583, but the Baugher website says that the nearest Caribou serial block started at 61-2591 and this serial should belong to an Atlas missile.


62-4160 survived the conflict and appeared on the US civil register as N800DC. Apparently it is still flying in the Philippines as RP-C2702, hauling fish.
See http://asia-image.com/modules.php?name= ... t=0&pos=48.


62-4177 was shot down near the Cambodian border on Aug. 26, 1968, with the loss of its crew of 3.


62-4182 apparently still exists, registered N60NC to Pen Turbo Aviation of Rio Grande, NJ. Its last reported location was in the Western International AMARC compound near Tucson. The name painted on the nose is "Candy Girl".


This C-7, 62-4189, was hit by ground fire on May 29, 1968 and written off in the ensuing crash, but all passengers and crew survived.


62-4193 was a little easier to track down. It is the C-7 now preserved at the NMUSAF.


63-9750 had an interesting history. Quoting Baugher: "loaned to Air America as 750. Damaged in 1967. Transferred to South Vietnam AF in 1972".


63-9761, again quoting Baugher: "crashed near Pleiku, Vietnam Jul 25, 1968. 2 killed, 2 survived".


Hope you enjoyed them.

August

[bilwor]

The first one is most likely C-7B 62-12583, c/n 144
bill word

[Warbird Kid]

Very cool plane. I was first introduced to the Caribou when I watched the "Kee Bird" documentary.

Does anybody know how many are flying? Where?

[N3Njeff]

Thanks for posting the pics. Always like seeing pics of that era.

[vernicator]

Whenever I see Vietnam era Caribou pictures I always think of the most unfortunate incident where Caribou 62-4161 was coming in to land when it crossed the path of an outgoing Howitzer round blowing off it's tail.

A shocking picture was taken as it happened and can bee seen here on the C-7A Caribou associations website:
http://www.c-7acaribou.com/album/photos/photo02.htm

[Stoney]

Its a fun airplane to fly, but slow, about 135 kts. I flew them for about 650 hours, never more then 1/2 hour per flight. They really fun in a good X wind with all that tail!

[k5083]

Very cool plane. I was first introduced to the Caribou when I watched the "Kee Bird" documentary.

Does anybody know how many are flying? Where?

I doubt that anybody really knows, although there are a few Caribou fan websites out there. It is one of those types where you would have to look in a lot of out-of-the-way places to find all the ones still earning their keep.

I'm sure there are quite a few airworthy combat veteran C-7s available out there if anyone thought they would make a cool warbird, which, alas, does not seem to be the case.

August

[Larry Kraus]

I rode in a Caribou on one leg of a trip from Phu Bai to Vung Tau in 1968.When I got on the airplane,it was nosed into a 3 sided revetment and looked too close to the front wall of the revetment to squeeze in a tug and towbar.When the crew started the engines,I wondered exactly what they thought that they were doing.That was my introduction to reversible props on piston engines.At the time,I thought that was a very cool feature that added a remarkable flexibility to an airplane,and I still do.

[M.P.]

Very nice pictures!

20 years ago, back in 1987, I visited San Juan, Puerto Rico, and made some 8mm cine film of an National Guard Caribou there. Some Month ago I converted this to video and put it on the net. Here is it:
http://www.pozefilm.de/video/caribou.wmv

This video can be found within my propliner section here:
http://www.pozefilm.de/propliner.html

Enjoy,
Manfred

[vernicator]

Caribous are still in front line service with the Royal Australian Air Force...


http://www.defence.gov.au/raaf/aircraft/caribou.htm

[B29Gunner]

I'm sure there are quite a few airworthy combat veteran C-7s available out there if anyone thought they would make a cool warbird, which, alas, does not seem to be the case.

They are indeed out there, I just recently bought one

Mine is 61-2389, and was used extensively by Air America during the war. Of course being a member of the Air America Foundation, I just had to buy it! Unfortunely she'll never fly again, but we're salvaging the fwd. fuselage and other parts for a static display. I'll be posting pics of the recovery process soon, if you have any pics of "389" please post them!

Trevor

[lmritger]

My stepfather has memories of the 'Bou... not FOND memories, but memories nonetheless. He told me he was a passenger aboard an RAAF Caribou which landed well short of the runway on some Thai island. The pilot put the aircraft in the surf right off the beach; as I recall, no one was killed, but it was definitely not a pleasant experience. I found the ID of that aircraft some time ago, but have unfortunately lost it once again.

These are great shots, August, thanks for posting them!

Lynn

[k5083]

Manfred: Great video. I love it when my picture posts attract first-time posters. Welcome!

Vernicator: Right you are. Below is a pic from 1968 of A4-152 visiting Cam Rahn Bay. I believe this aircraft is still operating with the RAAF!

Trevor: Good on ya! Sorry I don't have any pics of 389 but best of luck with the project.



August

[Jerry O'Neill]

Does anybody know how many are flying? Where?

Here's a pic I took of the "Sky Soldiers" C-7 at the Muskegon, MI Air Show last July.
It's a beautiful aircraft and fun to watch fly.
I even got my first Huey ride at the show!



Blue skies,
Jerry

[k5083]

Hey, that is excellent. I did not know there was a C-7 warbird on the circuit. I would like to see that. Do you know how to get an appearance schedule for it? Its owners seem to update their web site every 3 or 4 years, whether it needs it or not.

August