The Royal Air Force Chinook Display Team

The Aircraft

Chinook HC2 Specifications

Engines:
Two Avco Lycoming turboshafts

Length:
51ft 0in (15.54m)

Rotor Diameter:
60ft 0in (18.29m)

Top Speed:
185mph (298 km/h)

Accommodation:
Crew of two to four plus up to 54 troops or 28,000lb payload

Chinook HC2

Support helicopter capable of carrying 10 tonnes of freight
Can carry 54 troops
Three under-fuselage lifting points for carrying outsize loads

Details

The RAF operates the largest fleet of Chinook support helicopters after the US Army. The Chinook Wing, which forms the heavy-lift element of the Joint Helicopter Command, is based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. Odiham supports three operational squadrons, No 7 Squadron, No 18 Squadron and No 27 Squadron, and the Operational Conversion Flight (OCF). Two aircraft are also flown by No 78 Squadron from Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands on support helicopter tasks.

Chinooks are used primarily for trooping and for load carrying (both internal and underslung) and can carry up to 54 troops or 10 tonnes of freight. The cabin is large enough to accommodate two Land Rovers, while the three underslung load hooks allow a huge flexibility in the type and number of loads that can be carried. Secondary roles include Search and Rescue and Casualty Evacuation (a total of 24 stretchers can be carried). The crew consists of either two pilots, or a pilot and navigator, and two Air Loadmasters. The aircraft can be armed with two M-134 six-barrelled Miniguns and an M-60 machine gun.

The Chinook is a very capable and versatile support helicopter and has been involved in most of the recent UK Operations such as the Falklands Conflict, Northern Ireland, the Gulf War, peace keeping in The Balkans, evacuation of Sierra Leone and operations in Afghanistan and Iraq (Operation Telic). The aircrew and supporting groundcrew are trained to operate in a range of conditions from living under canvas in field sites to embarking upon aircraft carriers.

Roles

Support Helicopter (SH). The tactical movement of troops, weapons, ammunition and support stores in the battlefield.
Casualty Evacuation (Casevac). Removal of casualties and medical emergencies from forward areas.
Search and Rescue (SAR). The location and evacuation of people in emergency situations.

Armament

The aircraft can be armed with two M-134 six-barrelled Miniguns and an M-60 machine gun.

Recognition

Tubular fuselage with fairings along the lower edge to give a flat appearance to the underside. 1. Four-wheel undercarriage with two wheels at the rear and the second pair just beyond halfway along the fuselage. 2. Front rotor blades on a fairing above the cockpit. 3. Engines mounted either side and above the rear fuselage. Rear rotor on a rectangular ‘fin’ set above the front rotor blade arc. Rear loading ramp.

Squadrons

7 Squadron , RAF Odiham , [ RAF Odiham website ]

18 Squadron , RAF Odiham , [ RAF Odiham website ]

27 Squadron , RAF Odiham , [ RAF Odiham website ]

78 Squadron, Falkland Islands