Merged: Caribou to retire in 09
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Merged: Caribou to retire in 09
CARIBOU TO BE RETIRED IN 2009: The RAAF will retire its fleet of 14 DHC-4 Caribou tactical transports next year following the discovery of fatigue cracking and corrosion on the fleet's airframes and various systems.
Although the RAAF planned to operate the fleet through until 2012, the decision to bring the retirement date forward comes after a Caribou suffered severe damage to its left wing and upper fuselage after was what was previously reported as a ‘hard landing' in Papua New Guinea last month. The cause of the damage has since been attributed to a structural failure caused by severe fatigue.
Although nothing has been officially announced, sources say the Caribou's transport capability in regions such as PNG and East Timor will be temporarily covered by Army King Airs until a permanent replacement can be provided through the delayed Air 8000 Phase 2 project.
AUSTRALIAN AVIATION EXPRESS
Although the RAAF planned to operate the fleet through until 2012, the decision to bring the retirement date forward comes after a Caribou suffered severe damage to its left wing and upper fuselage after was what was previously reported as a ‘hard landing' in Papua New Guinea last month. The cause of the damage has since been attributed to a structural failure caused by severe fatigue.
Although nothing has been officially announced, sources say the Caribou's transport capability in regions such as PNG and East Timor will be temporarily covered by Army King Airs until a permanent replacement can be provided through the delayed Air 8000 Phase 2 project.
AUSTRALIAN AVIATION EXPRESS
Evertonian
The son of a guy I worked with at Ansett was in the RAAF & wanted to fly the jets, like most do I guess. A wise chap took him aside & asked him if he'd rather fly than sit behind a desk (I'm abbreviating his exact words). The answer was to fly & so he was pointed away from the jets & flew the Caribou's. Absolutely loved it from all reports & flew regularly...now instructing over in WA last I heard.
Another aircraft that has served us well.
Another aircraft that has served us well.
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following the discovery of fatigue cracking and corrosion on the fleet's airframes and various systems.
The cause of the damage has since been attributed to a structural failure caused by severe fatigue
The retirement has nothing to do with the accident in PNG. No analysis of the failed parts has been carried out as they are still working through the logistics of removing the parts and getting them back to Aus. The reason given is a cost/benefit. It takes too many man hours to generate 0-3 frames a day.
I hear the plan is to transfer Army kingairs to 38Sqn and lease a half dozen additional kingairs to fill "the gap" till c-27/c295.
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Love to see a King Air going into Tapini, Oksapmin, Efogi, Kopiago, etc etc places where the old Caribou would go! 
Then again, realistically, they shouldn't need to. After all PNG DF has a 212 and a flying turd (Irava)... That should cover all the bases no?
The Air Force will indeed look VERY different with no Bou and no pig...
Then again, realistically, they shouldn't need to. After all PNG DF has a 212 and a flying turd (Irava)... That should cover all the bases no?
The Air Force will indeed look VERY different with no Bou and no pig...
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Looks like the last we'll see of the combat expendable Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES) capability also.
It'll be interesting to see if an airdrop capability is developed with the interim aircraft.
Bring back the Porter and Nomad.
It'll be interesting to see if an airdrop capability is developed with the interim aircraft.
Bring back the Porter and Nomad.
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Capt Nomad - the King will certainly go IN to those places (Tapini, Oksapmin, Efogi, Kopiago), as long as you are happy to never fly it OUT again 
Did plenty of time in the back of the Bou when I was in the Green Machine; was noisy, rough and slow - but was ALWAYS better than walking and carrying your house on your back
Plus sitting on the lowered ramp in flight with your feet dangling in space was always a crowd pleaser
Did plenty of time in the back of the Bou when I was in the Green Machine; was noisy, rough and slow - but was ALWAYS better than walking and carrying your house on your back
Plus sitting on the lowered ramp in flight with your feet dangling in space was always a crowd pleaser
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I have a mate that did some of the delivery flights way back in 1960 something. Canada to Viet Nam straight over the top of the world. He tells me that anything is warmer than a Caribou when the compass shows south in every direction but those flights are still amongst his most treasured memories. Amazing flying and amazing scenery.
One of my own highlights was as freight on a bou flying over WW II crash sites in the Northern Teritory with a photographer from the National War Memorial. We would come come to a complete stop over the site to be photographed then the pilot would put the aircraft into a 90 degree vertical climb at about 20 feet per minute while the man took his pics. Ok maybe I exagerate a little but that's what it felt like hanging off the ramp. I would never have believed that low and slow could deliver that much of an adrenilan rush. Absolutely the best ride in over 30 years of aviation. They are an iconic aircraft and deserve every word of their legend status.
One of my own highlights was as freight on a bou flying over WW II crash sites in the Northern Teritory with a photographer from the National War Memorial. We would come come to a complete stop over the site to be photographed then the pilot would put the aircraft into a 90 degree vertical climb at about 20 feet per minute while the man took his pics. Ok maybe I exagerate a little but that's what it felt like hanging off the ramp. I would never have believed that low and slow could deliver that much of an adrenilan rush. Absolutely the best ride in over 30 years of aviation. They are an iconic aircraft and deserve every word of their legend status.
The Airforce have been doing studies of a Caribou replacement for years and came to the conclusion that there wasn't one. It's like the old adage that the only replacement for the DC3 was another DC3.
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Gonna miss the old girls.
Does anyone know where they'll be displying between now and their retirement? Must catch them before they go.
And PLEASE tell me HARS (or someone similar, but they seem the obvious choice) are going to get their hands on one to keep active.
Does anyone know where they'll be displying between now and their retirement? Must catch them before they go.
And PLEASE tell me HARS (or someone similar, but they seem the obvious choice) are going to get their hands on one to keep active.
Heard 'em before. Believe it when I see it, not holding my breath in the meantime!
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.. I rather suspect considerably better than a rumour .. and, no wonder .. consider the likely operating cost per flying hour .. ? not to mention serviceability/availability ? .. the former measure up in the stratosphere .. the latter well underground.
I was considering going back, at least in a reserve capacity, to the ADF. I was inspired by a 'bou flying over the top of me at Richmond a few weeks ago and I realised how much I miss flying in those things. Oh well, I'll think I'll give it a miss now.
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There has already been a turboprop conversion of the Caribou, done by Pen-Turbo Aviation, using PT6A-67T engines - here's their website with photos:
http://www.penturbo.com/html%5Ctcp.html
The other turboprop version of the Caribou was of course the DHC-5 Buffalo, which was originally marketed as the "Caribou II". Here's some info:
Buffalo
Viking Air, which is the company putting the Twotter back into production, also holds the licences for all other DHC aircraft (apart from the Dash 8). So theoretically, they could put either the Caribou or Buffalo back into production.
Here's an article on the difficulties in replacing the Caribou:
http://www.ausairpower.net/DT-Caribou-Pt.1.pdf
There is an article by John Armstrong proposing that the RAAF use the Pen-Turbo Conversion:
http://www.ausairpower.net/DT-Turbo-Caribou-July-05.pdf
Regards,
David
http://www.penturbo.com/html%5Ctcp.html
The other turboprop version of the Caribou was of course the DHC-5 Buffalo, which was originally marketed as the "Caribou II". Here's some info:
Buffalo
Viking Air, which is the company putting the Twotter back into production, also holds the licences for all other DHC aircraft (apart from the Dash 8). So theoretically, they could put either the Caribou or Buffalo back into production.
Here's an article on the difficulties in replacing the Caribou:
http://www.ausairpower.net/DT-Caribou-Pt.1.pdf
There is an article by John Armstrong proposing that the RAAF use the Pen-Turbo Conversion:
http://www.ausairpower.net/DT-Turbo-Caribou-July-05.pdf
Regards,
David