De Havilland Canada CV-2 Caribou
The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou was designed for short takeoff and landing from rough forward airstrips, carrying cargo directly through large rear doors. Its high wing, powerful flaps, and robust landing gear made it invaluable in Vietnam, where it could reach bases inaccessible to larger transports. The US Army operated Caribous before fixed-wing transport roles were transferred to the Air Force. Its ability to stop quickly on tiny strips remains extraordinary for an aircraft of its payload class.
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Did you know?
Recognise the Caribou by its high-mounted tail and upswept rear fuselage, shaped to keep the cargo ramp close to level ground.
Specifications
| Length | 22.1 m (73 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 29.2 m (96 ft) |
| Height | 9.7 m (32 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 32 |
| Persons on board | 30 |
| Crew | 3 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 12.9 t |
| Range | 1,300 NM (2,408 km) |
| Maximum speed | 190 kt (352 km/h) |
| Stall speed | 59 kt (109 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 24,500 ft (7,468 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) |
| Rate of climb | 1,355 ft/min (6.9 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 360 m (1,181 ft) |
| Landing distance | 380 m (1,247 ft) |
| Fuel capacity | 3,100 l |
| Engines | 2x Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9M |
| Units built | 307 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the De Havilland Canada CV-2 Caribou starts as a Legendary catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you. The first catch of a legendary type pays a bonus of its own.
A catch counts for the manufacturer De Havilland Canada, the CV-2 Caribou family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
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