Caribou Replacement..
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The Embraer KC-390 is intended to be a replacement for the C-130 Hercules, so it would be too big as a Caribou replacement, and would not have the same STOL capability.
Viking Air in Canada has acquired the type certificates from DHC for the Buffalo, and is proposing a modernised DHC-5 Buffalo, called the DHC-5NG. This would be much more aligned with the Caribou's STOL capability, using PW150 turboprop engines and modernised avionics.
Some articles here:
Viking Air - 1/22/2009 - Buffalo Blitz
Next Generation Buffalo - DHC-5NG - Viking Air - DHC-5 Buffalo - CC-115 Buffalo - Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue - FWSAR - CASR Documents - Canadian American Strategic Review - Aircraft Development - Canadian Aircraft - Aerospace Industry - Alenia C-27
Viking Eyes Restarting Buffalo Line | AVIATION WEEK
Viking Buffalo search and rescue offer may be trumped by Alenia
Regards,
David
Viking Air in Canada has acquired the type certificates from DHC for the Buffalo, and is proposing a modernised DHC-5 Buffalo, called the DHC-5NG. This would be much more aligned with the Caribou's STOL capability, using PW150 turboprop engines and modernised avionics.
Some articles here:
Viking Air - 1/22/2009 - Buffalo Blitz
Next Generation Buffalo - DHC-5NG - Viking Air - DHC-5 Buffalo - CC-115 Buffalo - Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue - FWSAR - CASR Documents - Canadian American Strategic Review - Aircraft Development - Canadian Aircraft - Aerospace Industry - Alenia C-27
Viking Eyes Restarting Buffalo Line | AVIATION WEEK
Viking Buffalo search and rescue offer may be trumped by Alenia
Regards,
David
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All the good STOL machines are long gone, DHC4, DHC5, DHC6 and BN2 along with the world they were designed for, simple, no need for this type of STOL aviating any more, except now and then here and there, hardly a basis for the colossal investment required into designing, building and selling a new STOL type. A big rotary wing will have to do the job, they still make them! Secondary issue - lot harder to train a good piston engine driver than a turbine, their still more tricky and demand a lot more understanding of reciprocation, even the RAAF trains its drivers for turbine ops not pistons these days. A good round motor driver is a rare breed indeed.
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Bristol Frightener
Octane, thanks for the humour. Bristol Freighter compared to the Caribou is like putting up a Holden Commodore against a Nissan GTR.
There are dozens of Army units that would love to have access to this capability. It is rarely made available now so I doubt STOL is a future priority for the RAAF. The Bou can operate in hot and high conditions out of short strips with a given payload for much longer distances than any existing R/W A/C.
I have never seen a buffalo but I imagine they are more capable than a bou and a NG version would be better again. Policy seems to be focussed on inter-operability with the US in coalition rather than focused on Australias interests in our immediate area, where stol is an asset.
I have never seen a buffalo but I imagine they are more capable than a bou and a NG version would be better again. Policy seems to be focussed on inter-operability with the US in coalition rather than focused on Australias interests in our immediate area, where stol is an asset.
RAAF Welcomes Army King Air
(November 24, 2009) -- A ceremony at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Townsville on Friday marked the handover of three King Air 350 aircraft from Army to Air Force. The aircraft, formerly operating under Army Aviation's No. 173 Air Surveillance Squadron, will now be flown by RAAF's No. 38 Squadron.
Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, said the King Air will act as an interim replacement for the ageing DHC-4 Caribou, which will be retired this year.
"The three King Air which arrived at Townsville last week will be joined by another five brand new King Air in the first half of next year," Air Marshal Binskin said.
Leased through Hawker Pacific, the King Air is equipped with turboprop engines, modern avionics and a glass cockpit.
"The King Air is a far more advanced aircraft than the 1950s-era Caribou, being able to cruise at more than three times the altitude, twice the speed and twice the range," Air Marshal Binskin said.
"It is ideally suited for moving people quickly across northern Australia and throughout the region.
"This is especially important when we are called on to provide assistance to the civil community within Australia and on disaster relief efforts in our neighbourhood.
"The new fleet of King Air can provide a degree of efficiency and reliability which we have struggled to achieve with our fleet of ageing Caribou.
"At the same time, the 38 Squadron King Air pilots and technicians will also gain useful experience working on a modern aircraft type, allowing them to more efficiently transfer to other parts of the RAAF fleet."
The King Air will be an interim until the arrival of a new Light Tactical Fixed-Wing transport aircraft, to be selected under Project AIR 8000 Phase Two.
Air Marshal Binskin also paid his respects to the King Air's service with the Army. "This transfer effectively marks the end of more than 40 years of fixed-wing aircraft operations, with Army now operating an all rotary-wing fleet," he said.
"Our partnership will continue through the withdrawal of the Caribou, with its roles to be efficiently distributed amongst Air Force's fleet of King Air and Hercules, as well as Army Aviation's fleet of Black Hawks, Chinooks and MRH90s."
Source : MoD Australia
Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, said the King Air will act as an interim replacement for the ageing DHC-4 Caribou, which will be retired this year.
"The three King Air which arrived at Townsville last week will be joined by another five brand new King Air in the first half of next year," Air Marshal Binskin said.
Leased through Hawker Pacific, the King Air is equipped with turboprop engines, modern avionics and a glass cockpit.
"The King Air is a far more advanced aircraft than the 1950s-era Caribou, being able to cruise at more than three times the altitude, twice the speed and twice the range," Air Marshal Binskin said.
"It is ideally suited for moving people quickly across northern Australia and throughout the region.
"This is especially important when we are called on to provide assistance to the civil community within Australia and on disaster relief efforts in our neighbourhood.
"The new fleet of King Air can provide a degree of efficiency and reliability which we have struggled to achieve with our fleet of ageing Caribou.
"At the same time, the 38 Squadron King Air pilots and technicians will also gain useful experience working on a modern aircraft type, allowing them to more efficiently transfer to other parts of the RAAF fleet."
The King Air will be an interim until the arrival of a new Light Tactical Fixed-Wing transport aircraft, to be selected under Project AIR 8000 Phase Two.
Air Marshal Binskin also paid his respects to the King Air's service with the Army. "This transfer effectively marks the end of more than 40 years of fixed-wing aircraft operations, with Army now operating an all rotary-wing fleet," he said.
"Our partnership will continue through the withdrawal of the Caribou, with its roles to be efficiently distributed amongst Air Force's fleet of King Air and Hercules, as well as Army Aviation's fleet of Black Hawks, Chinooks and MRH90s."
Source : MoD Australia
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Originally Posted by Defence Media
Air Marshal Binskin also paid his respects to the King Air's service with the Army. "This transfer effectively marks the end of more than 40 years of fixed-wing aircraft operations, with Army now operating an all rotary-wing fleet," he said.
I am still convinced there is a need for a cheap'n'cheerful FW system for Army. And I'm right, no arguments will be entered into
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""It is ideally suited for moving people quickly across northern Australia and throughout the region.
"This is especially important when we are called on to provide assistance to the civil community within Australia and on disaster relief efforts in our neighbourhood."
Quote from AM Binskin.
What absolute nonesense. I would be surprised if he could hold a straight face as he issued this tripe. An aircraft with no apparent purpose or real role (other that to provide hours for the crew and techs and give the Army a jab) in a time when the services complain about being unable to staff all units.
A complete waste of scarce resources.
"This is especially important when we are called on to provide assistance to the civil community within Australia and on disaster relief efforts in our neighbourhood."
Quote from AM Binskin.
What absolute nonesense. I would be surprised if he could hold a straight face as he issued this tripe. An aircraft with no apparent purpose or real role (other that to provide hours for the crew and techs and give the Army a jab) in a time when the services complain about being unable to staff all units.
A complete waste of scarce resources.
I am still convinced there is a need for a cheap'n'cheerful FW system for Army. And I'm right, no arguments will be entered into
(Though I do agree with you)
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So, who was it flying the Caribou that rocketed down main beach Noosa yesterday at about 50ft, went past the Surf Lifesaving Club at probably less than 50ft, did a steep turn to port and disappeared over the national park at tree top height?! Fantastic!! Even my wife was impressed! 
Obie, the boys are having fun on their final flights
A4-140 and A4-152 have left Townsville on their final flights to the War Memorial and RAAF Museum Point Cook, respectively.
You can never build another Caribou or [insert classic old aircraft that nothing new matches today] nowadays and get it certified as the safety standards demanded today in the structural design (eg 9g / 16g seat fittings) can't be achieved.
If it was possible, it would be done.
If it was possible, it would be done.
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Obie,
A4-210 left Townsville for it's final resting place at Oakey on Wednesday. I can asure you it was at exactly 250ft on the RADALT when it flew past Fraser Island, Rainbow beach, Noosa and Coolum.
Was a good flight though.
A4-210 left Townsville for it's final resting place at Oakey on Wednesday. I can asure you it was at exactly 250ft on the RADALT when it flew past Fraser Island, Rainbow beach, Noosa and Coolum.
Was a good flight though.
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So, who was it flying the Caribou that rocketed down main beach Noosa yesterday
Hope you boys (and girls?!) are having fun with the old girls in the final days and sending them out in style.
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C-7 Caribou 62-4161 hit by friendly fire near Duc Pho, South Vietnam
These guys would have to be the unluckiest ever caribou crew fatally injured when they were hit by US Army Artillary friendly fire while flying low level with the shell ripping off the tail. Camera man right place right time for this unbelievable pic 3rd August 1967
