|
|
|
Boeing-Vertol Chinook HC.2, ZA677, No.27 Squadron, RAF Odiham, Hants., June 2004 (features special diorama stand and Land Rover)
REF: AA99167
Scale: 1:72
Dimensions: 225mm
|
|
£49.99
|
|
| Designed specifically to a U.S. Army requirement, the first Chinook flew on 21 September 1961, with the delivery of the first CH-47A to the U.S.Army being in August 1962, followed by substantial orders for more than 700 machines.The Chinook was pressed into service in Vietnam where they became the ‘flying trucks’ of the U.S.Army, moving every type of cargo and most types of ordnance and transport equipment in the U.S.Army inventory. Roles included medical evacuation, fire fighting, parachute drops, search and rescue, transport of underslung fuel cells and heavy construction. The Chinook remains in service today with the U.S.Army in large numbers, as well as with the air arms of many overseas countries, including the Royal Air Force, which is one of the largest users and ordered an initial batch of 33 on 1978 powered by Avco Lycoming T55-L-11E engines. Following the 1982 Falklands conflict, a further eight were ordered. 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. No. 27 Squadron was equipped with Tornados until 1993(also available as a Corgi model), when it reformed as No. 27 (Reserve) Squadron, the Chinook/Puma OCU, at Odiham and regained full squadron status in January 1998 solely equipped with Chinooks.In recent years the squadron has seen a number of operational tours, notably the Balkans (Op Agricola), Afghanistan (Op Ptarmigan) and Iraq (Op Telic). |
|
|
|
|
|
