A
helicopter used by
armed forces worldwide and
manufactured by
Boeing in
Philadelphia, the Chinook is the common name for the
aircraft
officially designated the
CH-47D. The basic model was first designed in the
mid-
1950s and the first models came into service in
1962. The entire design was
reworked in the late
1970s with upgraded
materials and
control units.
Chinook helicopters are instantly distinguishable by their twin rotors which operate
in tandem, the one at the front of the aircraft being approximately 18" lower than the
one at the rear. The Chinook can carry up to 25,000 pounds (11.5 tonnes) of
cargo or personnel which gives it one of the lowest cost-per-payload of all
helicopters currently in production.
When used as a personnel carrier the Chinook can hold 33 soldiers in full
combat gear, or 50 in a lighter load. During medical evacuation operations up to
24 stretchers can be carried at a time. With an air speed of up to 180 knots it is
an extremely versatile machine.
Its primary military use is for airlifting troops,
vehicles and supplies, while in civilian life Chinooks are frequently used in for
disaster relief and search and rescue missions.
The usefulness of the Chinook, together with its unique looks has meant that
it has become one of the best-known models of all helicopters. There are over 1000
Chinooks in current use around the world.