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RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
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RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
A RAF Chinook has a Union Jack tail to celebrate 40+ years of RAF Chinook service according to :
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/serco-c ... -painting/
The photo isn't very clear but the serial looks like ZD984
According to Wiki the Chinook entered service in 1980 and we have some more on order!
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/serco-c ... -painting/
The photo isn't very clear but the serial looks like ZD984
According to Wiki the Chinook entered service in 1980 and we have some more on order!
Re: RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
Correct... ZD984. Refer to https://twitter.com/RAF_Odiham/status/1 ... _&ref_url=
Or see the Post on UKAR ?

Or see the Post on UKAR ?


Re: RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
Luckily got it on the flight after air test.
https://twitter.com/Chiv63/status/13900 ... 37921?s=19
Neil
https://twitter.com/Chiv63/status/13900 ... 37921?s=19
Neil
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Re: RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
Looks Good
I just hope we get to see it around the country.
We hardly ever saw the other marked up machines in the past
I just hope we get to see it around the country.
We hardly ever saw the other marked up machines in the past
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Re: RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
We should really have been at 52 years service!
The very first RAF Chinook order was placed in March 1967, for 15 CH-47B models, after competition with the Super Frelon. The squadron was intended to be based at Singapore from 1969 to replace Belvederes, so presumably 66 Sqn was earmarked. But that order was cancelled by the end of 1967 with a hefty fee paid. Unsurprisingly so, as Boeing had spent nearly $10 million up to that point on integrating British avionics in anticipation of the order.
The second attempt was in 1972 - 74, when the -47C was chosen over the CH-53D after extensive trials and demonstrations. But the 1974 Defence Review struck that from the budget before it could even be ordered.
Finally in 1978 the UK ordered 33 -47C/D hybrids, the first of which was ZA672 which arrived via shipping container through Southampton in December 1980. UK offset work on the order was about 30%, or $50 million.
The RAF version was based on the Canadian 50.000lb variant which already had hoist, contingency power, AFCS and improved water-ops kit, but added:
The very first RAF Chinook order was placed in March 1967, for 15 CH-47B models, after competition with the Super Frelon. The squadron was intended to be based at Singapore from 1969 to replace Belvederes, so presumably 66 Sqn was earmarked. But that order was cancelled by the end of 1967 with a hefty fee paid. Unsurprisingly so, as Boeing had spent nearly $10 million up to that point on integrating British avionics in anticipation of the order.
The second attempt was in 1972 - 74, when the -47C was chosen over the CH-53D after extensive trials and demonstrations. But the 1974 Defence Review struck that from the budget before it could even be ordered.
Finally in 1978 the UK ordered 33 -47C/D hybrids, the first of which was ZA672 which arrived via shipping container through Southampton in December 1980. UK offset work on the order was about 30%, or $50 million.
The RAF version was based on the Canadian 50.000lb variant which already had hoist, contingency power, AFCS and improved water-ops kit, but added:
- triple hooks
- central aisle seats
- rotor brake
- impact-attenuating cockpit seats
- segmented cockpit lighting to allow one pilot to use NVG
- improved fire suppression with the Cobra system in the sponsons
- audio fire warning
- windscreen wipers
- Mother Cow on-ground mutual refuelling system
- provision for the GFRP blades
Re: RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
Epic post, had no idea.turmo wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 8:37 amWe should really have been at 52 years service!
The very first RAF Chinook order was placed in March 1967, for 15 CH-47B models, after competition with the Super Frelon. The squadron was intended to be based at Singapore from 1969 to replace Belvederes, so presumably 66 Sqn was earmarked. But that order was cancelled by the end of 1967 with a hefty fee paid. Unsurprisingly so, as Boeing had spent nearly $10 million up to that point on integrating British avionics in anticipation of the order.
The second attempt was in 1972 - 74, when the -47C was chosen over the CH-53D after extensive trials and demonstrations. But the 1974 Defence Review struck that from the budget before it could even be ordered.
Finally in 1978 the UK ordered 33 -47C/D hybrids, the first of which was ZA672 which arrived via shipping container through Southampton in December 1980. UK offset work on the order was about 30%, or $50 million.
The RAF version was based on the Canadian 50.000lb variant which already had hoist, contingency power, AFCS and improved water-ops kit, but added:
- triple hooks
- central aisle seats
- rotor brake
- impact-attenuating cockpit seats
- segmented cockpit lighting to allow one pilot to use NVG
- improved fire suppression with the Cobra system in the sponsons
- audio fire warning
- windscreen wipers
- Mother Cow on-ground mutual refuelling system
- provision for the GFRP blades
You want the Aladeen news, or the Aladeen news?
Re: RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
Just had one straight over my bungalow at about 100'!!!.
Chedburgh near Bury St eds.

Re: RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
Very interesting turmo. I would have thought an audible fire warning system and a rotor brake would be standard fit, not optional extras! Windscreen wipers very handy for the UK as well.
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Re: RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
turmo wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 8:37 amWe should really have been at 52 years service!
The very first RAF Chinook order was placed in March 1967, for 15 CH-47B models, after competition with the Super Frelon. The squadron was intended to be based at Singapore from 1969 to replace Belvederes, so presumably 66 Sqn was earmarked. But that order was cancelled by the end of 1967 with a hefty fee paid. Unsurprisingly so, as Boeing had spent nearly $10 million up to that point on integrating British avionics in anticipation of the order.
The second attempt was in 1972 - 74, when the -47C was chosen over the CH-53D after extensive trials and demonstrations. But the 1974 Defence Review struck that from the budget before it could even be ordered.
Finally in 1978 the UK ordered 33 -47C/D hybrids, the first of which was ZA672 which arrived via shipping container through Southampton in December 1980. UK offset work on the order was about 30%, or $50 million.
The RAF version was based on the Canadian 50.000lb variant which already had hoist, contingency power, AFCS and improved water-ops kit, but added:
- triple hooks
- central aisle seats
- rotor brake
- impact-attenuating cockpit seats
- segmented cockpit lighting to allow one pilot to use NVG
- improved fire suppression with the Cobra system in the sponsons
- audio fire warning
- windscreen wipers
- Mother Cow on-ground mutual refuelling system
- provision for the GFRP blades
Laughingly it would have been the Fleet Air Arm be the first customer and first ASW Chinook if it ever went to fruition. The FAA was looking for a large ASW helo for the proposed CVA-01 which sadly never got built. In his biography the the late Eric ‚Winkle‘ Brown went to the states on a fact finding trip for the admiralty for FAA procurement in May 62 he went to Philadelphia to fly the YCH-47A and was impressed but was concerned at the mechanical complexity. He also went onto Sikorsky at Stratford to fly the Sikorsky S-61A.
Cheers
Re: RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
".......when the -47C was chosen over the CH-53D......." I'd love to see a Ch-53 in an RAF scheme.
In this world there's two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig.
Re: RAF Chinook 40 Years Service

First airframe gets handed over at Boeing Vertol plant in Philadelphia.
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Re: RAF Chinook 40 Years Service
Where would we be without the mighty Chinook ? I’m looking forward to seeing the upgraded ones ,the paint scheme looks smart to
Hopefully it will have some flyovers and events to go to later this year

Hopefully it will have some flyovers and events to go to later this year
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