Probably more military duty than any others shown here
Probably more military duty than any others shown here
some nice photos in this thread and such a shame about the ch47 or as we brits called it the dc3
The CH47 saw covilian duty with many airline companies as the DC-3. In fact, I few from my home to my Army Basic Training in Fort Ord California in 1964 in a United Airlines DC-3.
The CH47, or variants thereof saw significant military duty as support and GUNSHIP duty.
They were first fitted with 3 50mm cannons spraying bullets out two windows and a door on the pilots side of the craft. The cannons were General Electric electronically controlled either simultaneously or singly by switches on the pilots flight yoke as he circled in close support of ground troops.
Blying low and slow, they could lumber around troops or villages for long periods of time laying down rounds every 3 feet approximately.
Known as "PUFF, the Magic Dragons" they were very effective.
They've seen duty in revolutions and drug interventions throughout Central Ameriica, Colombia, Africa and the Chinese Air Force.
Rich eventful history courtesy of Douglas Aircraft.