"John Hairell" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 22:48:29 -0500, "Kevin Brooks"
wrote:


"Pits" wrote in message
...

Just wondering if US or Canada are still using Caribous for any
purpose.
Cheers

Known as the C-7 in the USAF (after they were taken over from the Army in
the late sixties), they have been out of service for a long time (early
eighties final retirement, IIRC). Very few served with the RCAF--they
instead bought more of the later turbine powered DHC-5 Buffalo. From what
I
have read their Caribous left service in the early seventies, but I
believe
they may still have a few Buffalos flying SAR.


The US Army still had a two or three 'Bous flying in CONUS into the
'80s. Interestingly these went from Army to USAF and then back to
Army. They were used for AVCRAD support and there was at least one
was from an SF unit. Army 'Bous were also used quite late for range
support at Eniwetok.

I thought they were using the DASH-7/8 for that support work.


The FAA civil registry as of today (2/17/04) shows one C-7A, 17
DHC-4s, and 34 DHC-4As. There may be some overlaps there.

Also I know a guy who saw a USG Buffalo (not a 'Bou) at Fort A.P. Hill
within the last five years being used for some sort of drop testing.

Up unitil about a year ago I lived within spitting distance of the A.P. Hill
DZ, before moving to the western side of Spotsylvania County. Saw lots of
C-130's doing drop work there, a few C-141's and C-17's, and a couple of
oddities (what looked like a CASA 212 and a Twin Otter); never personally
saw a Buffalo. Doesn't mean there wasn't one in the A/O--sometimes the more
shadowy types train on the base, not to mention the resident SEAL training
detachment.

Brooks


John Hairell )