Receiving attention at Downsview - the prototype with the nose probe now removed. Note also the Caribou logo on the nose and the ease of access to the Twin Wasps. In the background, top to bottom, are: the fuselage of a RCAF 682 or 692 in Rescue colours; the Otter prototype wearing the ‘hybrid’ RCAF serial ‘3667-X’; an Otter in primer; an L-20 Beaver in US Army colours; three primered Otters.
A pair of AC-1s ready for delivery from Downsview - their serial numbers having been ‘washed out’ on the print. Note the Caribou engine test-rig underneath the tail of the AC-1 at left and the unpainted Beaver under the tail of the example at right.
Spanish Air Force T9-8 ‘37-08’ of Ala 37, Villanubia, 1990. This example became N86NC with NewCal for turbine conversion.
DHC-4A Caribou 9001 (c/n 242) of the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force Air Wing, 1966. JWTZ - Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzani. This aircraft was disposed of in 1979, becoming N1017G.
DHC C-7A Caribou 62-4155 ‘KE’ of the 459th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing, Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, 1970.
DHC-4A Caribou FM1402 of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, 1975.
The Caribou prototype was transferred to the RCAF, becoming Caribou I 5303 and upgraded to Mk.IA status in 1964. It was sold in Tanzania, becoming JW9011 in 1971. Its current status is unknown, but it is still on the US civil register as N1016N with .John Woods Inc.
The prototype, 5303, in RCAF United Nations colours, staging through Gatwick on its way to another African assignment.
RAAF A4-236 wearing two-tone green and black camouflage and a large badge on the fin and rudder celebrating 30 years of Caribou operation in 1994.
Unique camouflage on Royal Australian Air Force Caribou A4-208 of 38 Squadron. The type has given the RAAF over 30 years of loyal service and the search is now on for a replacement.
RAAF DHC-4A Caribou A4-228 in the original colour scheme. Australia has received excellent loyalty from the Caribou and is now close to a replacement decision.
As well as the turbine conversion programme, NewCal Aviation refurbished Caribou for specialised roles. This example was used as a maritime pollution control demonstrator, seen at Hal Safi, late 1991.
Tanzanian Air Force Caribou JW9002 was disposed of in 1979, becoming N1017H hopefully for refurbishment with the NewCal programme.
A4-152 flying in 1992 in a Vietnam-like colour scheme and proudly showing off the ‘Wallaby Airlines’ logo of 35 Squadron on the fin.
The ninth Caribou, CF-LVA, used for the first of three extensive sales tours (the others were conducted by CF-LAN and CF-OYE) October 1959 to May 1960. The nose carries the flags of the countries visited.
A view of the NewCal ramp at Hal Safi, Malta, in 1991. On the left are two former Spanish C-7As (N666NC, T9-26 and N888NC, T9-17), while to the left is a former Tanzanian example being broken up for spares.
The prototype NCA Turbine Caribou, N400NC. It was lost on August 27, 1992.
The prototype, CF-KTR-X, during its maiden flight from Downsview, July 30, 1958 - note the absence of undercarriage doors and the nose-mounted probe. Crew for that first flight were George Neal, Dave Fairbanks and H Brinkman.
Superb view of one of the five US Army evaluation YAC-1s.
The Caribou undertook a wide range of ‘soft surface’ trials and proved itself to be a rugged workhorse, long before it was all put to the test in Vietnam.
India is another nation to have got considerable 'mileage' out of its Caribou fleet. BM770 (c/no 121) illustrated, is thought still extant.
The first YAC-1 (57-3079) had a long career, eventually serving with the Army Parachute Demonstration Team, the Golden Knights. It is preserved at the US Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
Zambian Air Force Caribou 304. Briefly civil registered as 9J-NAC, it became N999NC in 1984 and went to the Liberian military in 1989.
The rear doors of the Caribou were fully openable in flight for air drops or low-level parachute extraction of cargo pallets.
Close-up of YAC-1 57-3082 (the 7th DHC-4, CF-LKG-X) with ski undercarriage. Note the ‘US Army, Aviation Board, Test Aircraft’ notation under the cockpit.
The second Caribou, CF-LAN, in use with Nordair on the pioneering the Resolution Island airlift, February 1961. Previously only the Otter (left) could use this DEW-Line supply strip.
Abu Dhabi Army DHC-4A 304 with spares wheels and fuel cells among its cargo. This machine was acquired by NewCal, becoming N84897, and was used for spares at Malta.
NewCal Aviation N400NC, formerly Kenyan Air Force 204, staging through Ipswich in 1989. It became the Turbine Caribou prototype.
CV-2A showing the ease of loading to/from trucks. Note the anti-tip leg under the Caribou’s rear fuselage (removed before flight) and the ‘fiscal’ on the truck’s cab door.
RCAF Caribou served far and wide with the United Nations, flying out of a variety of inhospitable (and decidedly un-Canadian) environments.
DHC-4 interior, looking forward.
Early DHC-4 cockpit layout.
An early model of the DHC-4 in US white/red colour scheme but featuring turbine engines.
Artist’s impression of the DHC-4 in US Army colours from a company brochure dated 1957. The twin fins are obvious, but note also the wingtip tanks.
De Havilland Canada DHC-4A Caribou. Lower side-view; NCA Turbine Caribou.
The ultimate Caribou development was the DHC-5 Buffalo, although the production run came to only 123 aircraft. The fifth example is illustrated, entering RCAF service as CC-115 9451, later being reserialled 115451.
