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Post by 30sqnatc on Jul 28, 2016 11:36:30 GMT 12
Recently released film documents the tour of the NZDF PRT rotation which lost four soldiers in two contacts. It includes an absolutely amazing piece of flying by a Caribou conducting a very very low resupply drop. I understand these aircraft belonged to a private contractor. as USAF had no capable aircraft after they prematurely withdraw C-27J. Stunning flying verging on just plain crazy. The Caribou literally lowers the Afghan flag....... Start the second of the clips (with the explosion) and just after the 7:20 minute mark watch the Caribou approach. www.stuff.co.nz/national/82007457/Watch-The-Soldiers-Story-Documentary-shows-Kiwi-troops-in-Afghanistan |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 28, 2016 11:53:05 GMT 12
Holy crap, nice flying!
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Post by htbrst on Jul 28, 2016 12:40:28 GMT 12
It's just as well that flagpole wasn't more substantial else things would not haven been pretty.
I bet the turboprops give it a spritely performance
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Jul 28, 2016 17:30:46 GMT 12
Interesting to note the gas-turbine engines.
However, it is definitely a DHC-4 Caribou rather than the later DHC-5 Buffalo. The lack of a T-tail gives it away as being a DHC-4.
I wonder what the engines are? The DHC-5 was powered by General Electric T64 engines instead of the Pratt & Whitney R-2000 Twin Wasps as originally fitted to the DHC-4.
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Post by saratoga on Jul 28, 2016 17:56:33 GMT 12
Not sure if that Caribou is being flown, looks more like its being driven like a speed boat!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 28, 2016 18:04:37 GMT 12
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Post by Bruce on Jul 28, 2016 22:27:26 GMT 12
PT6's on the 'Boo is a pretty sensible move if they are to be used in proper working service. There is still a role for them in remote areas, but looking after rare R2000s in such an environment is not really practical. Even getting Avgas is impossible in some places, whereas Jet A1 is reasonably common (for helicopters etc too). At a pinch, the PT6 can run on Diesel too...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 28, 2016 23:07:31 GMT 12
Why didn't the RAAF do this conversion and keep their fleet?
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Post by baronbeeza on Jul 28, 2016 23:23:13 GMT 12
I had a short involvement with the one or two civilian Buffalo that were operating in Africa about 20 years ago.
I was looking at helping out buying surplus military models from the likes of the Zambian, Kenyan and Tanzanian Defence Forces.
One option being considered was setting up a refurbishment line in the massive hangar at Kilimanjaro airport.
I flew as pax in a Tanzanian one from Arusha down to Dar and it seemed to get along ok.
The PT6 conversions were popular, indeed common, on the DC-3 fleet about but I just never saw a Caribou on the continent.
Many will recall the take-off accident with the prototype version of a Turboprop Caribou where it leered up on rotate and crashed after it's short, near vertical, climb.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2016 14:40:02 GMT 12
Why didn't the RAAF do this conversion and keep their fleet? I seem to recall the RAAF did look at that as an option, but I can't say where I read that. That was some incredibly low flying for such a big aircraft! WHOA! |
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Jul 29, 2016 19:47:19 GMT 12
Baron, didn't the pilot forget to remove the elevator control lock?
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kit
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2 
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Post by kit on Jul 29, 2016 23:25:38 GMT 12
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Post by camtech on Jul 30, 2016 10:36:12 GMT 12
Great piece of flying, but appears to be little or no flap in use!
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Post by camtech on Jul 30, 2016 10:41:56 GMT 12
Baron, didn't the pilot forget to remove the elevator control lock? Appears the elevator gust lock was not fully disengaged, and when the pilot moved the column the lock reengaged in the neutral position. The aileron lock apparently was only disengaged on impact. Yes - a full preflight and "free and full movement" would have saved two lives, an aircraft and a lot of wasted man-hours. |
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