On September 21, 1961, the YHC-1A, a prototype that would later be designated the CH-47 Chinook, made its maiden flight. Last Tuesday, that date completed 60 years and Boeing prepared a special video to celebrate the six decades of the first flight of one of the most recognized helicopters in the world. Check out.
The Chinook entered service with the US Army in 1962, but Boeing-Vertol began development of the aircraft in the 1950s, when the US Army announced that it wanted to replace the CH-37 Mojave.
With more than 1200 units produced since then, the CH-47 has established itself as a reference in heavy transport of rotary wings, having participated in a series of conflicts around the world. In 1982, during the Falklands/Malvinas War, both Argentina and the United Kingdom used the model. The aircraft is also heavily used in humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.
The Chinook has a pair of Lycoming T55 turboshaft engines, is operated by three to five crew and is capable of carrying 24 tonnes of cargo. It is important to note that these specifications vary between helicopter versions: the Chinook Block II, for example, can carry 907 kilograms more than the CH-47F, having been recently acquired by England for US$ 578 million. Finally, the CH-47 is operated by more than 20 countries, including Spain, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Canada, India, Greece and others.
