When did the chinook first fly in the RAF?

Answer 1

We have four squadrens a brief history listed below. Hope the info helps

No 7 squadron
1982, the Squadron re-equipped with Chinook helicopters, and has kept these since then. Currently based at Odiham, the Squadron, in conjunction with other Chinook units, has seen a number of operational deployments in recent years to such areas as the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

No 18 Squadron was disbanded in 1980, but reformed as the first RAF Chinook squadron in August 1981. During the Falklands War in 1982, four Chinooks were dispatched on the cargo ship Atlantic Conveyor, but three were lost when the vessel was sunk

No. 27 Squadron relinquished its Tornado's in 1993, reforming as No. 27 (Reserve) Squadron, the Chinook/Puma OCU, at Odiham and regained full squadron status in January 1998

78 Squadron solely equipped with Chinooks.Since reforming in the Falklands on 22 May 1986, the Squadron has flown Chinooks and Sea Kings, the latter have a secondary search and rescue role.



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Answer 2

4 Aug 1981 - No 18 Squadron reforms at Odiham as the first RAF heavy transport helicopter unit. Equipped with Chinook HC1s, the unit is the first to operate the type.

June 1986 - No 78 Squadron was reformed at Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands to become the resident helicopter unit. The Squadron was formed out of No 1310 Flight (Chinooks), and No 1564 Flight (Sea Kings).

6 Dec 1997 - The first of the new build Chinook HC2As for the RAF was delivered by Boeing. 13 more HC2As and HC3s will be delivered over the following three years.

Answer 3

The Chinook CH-47A entered service with the United States Army in 1962. Following the retirement of the Bristol Belvedere in 1969, a similar design to the Boeing helicopter, the RAF required a new heavy-lift helicopter and ordered 33 HC.1s in 1978. These aircraft, which entered service in December 1980, were comparable to the CH-47C.

Answer 4

In the early evening of 2 June 1994.

Answer 5

Ummmm early 1990's

Answer 6

I think you may well find all you need at Wikipedia. Here's a good link to get you started,.. hope you find this useful. :o)

Answer 7

Thursday August 26, 1999

New Boeing 'Super D' Chinook Completes First Flight
PHILADELPHIA ( Boeing Company Press Release) - The first Boeing CH-47SD or ``Super D'' Chinook tandem-rotor helicopter made a successful first flight yesterday with test pilots Jack Jordan and Armand Barrieault at the controls. The Super D completed basic hover and flight maneuvers before completing a successful 1.5-hour flight, followed by another flight later in the day.


``The aircraft performed as advertised and met our expectations,'' said Jordan. ``The subsequent test flight program will enable us to ensure the SD digital cockpit management system works flawlessly so we can deliver a superior aircraft to our launch customer on time, on cost and within spec.''


``We are pleased with the first Super D's performance,'' said James Waterman, CH-47SD program manager. ``Completion of first flight is an important milestone, and reflects the high standards of professionalism and craftsmanship the Super D team has met throughout this program. We are looking forward to on-time delivery of the first SD this autumn.''


The Super D is the new standard CH-47 model. Although aimed primarily at the international market, the rotorcraft also will be available to the U.S. armed forces. It incorporates several significant system improvements as standard equipment, such as a fully integrated glass cockpit with automated flight controls, and full authority digital engine control.


The new Chinook will carry a three-person crew and standard seating for 37 passengers in the main cabin, although up to 55 troop seats can be installed. A variety of additional ``plug-in'' option kits are available to configure the Super D for operations on water or in snow, or several specialized missions such as search and rescue, fire-fighting and special operations.


The US Army also is committed to the Improved Cargo Helicopter program to modernize its CH-47D fleet and supports foreign military sales. This nearly guarantees prompt and reliable spares inventories and product support during the Super D's service life.


The Boeing Company develops and produces military rotorcraft in services worldwide at its production facilities in Mesa, Ariz., and Philadelphia. Among its products are the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter, CH-47 Chinook, the RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter and the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

Press ReleaseNothing
034/2006: RAF Chinook heavy lift helicopters deploy to Afghanistan
7 Feb 06
The 'unsung heroes' who maintain and fly the RAF's Fleet of Chinook helicopters play a vital role in modern military operations, the Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram, said today.

Mr Ingram was at RAF Odiham today meeting the air and ground crews who are preparing three CH-47 Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopters as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan

Mr Ingram said:

"I am delighted to visit RAF Odiham today to witness first hand the meticulous preparations for this critically important task.

"The RAF Chinooks are the real workhorses of all our operations. They provide an outstanding, incredibly versatile capability for the troops on the ground, both in moving them around their area of operation or delivering massive amounts of materiel to areas where it is needed. Support helicopters, like the Chinooks, are an invaluable and special asset when supporting deployed land forces in remote locations.

"The RAF's Support Helicopter force, like the RAF Air Transport force, is in the very front line of all operational deployments but are too often the unsung heroes of our success. I fully appreciate how difficult their task is and I am immensely proud of their outstanding achievements and unswerving commitment; I wish them well and a safe return home."

The helicopters and crews from No 18(Bomber) Squadron will be partially dismantled and flown into theatre by C17 Strategic Transport Aircraft and will be based initially in Kandahar Airbase.
Their role will be to provide in-theatre airlift to the troops who are preparing the way for the main deployment of 16 Air Assault Brigade which will form the bulk of the British contingent to the NATO Force.

Group Captain Sean Reynolds, Station Commander at RAF Odiham said:

"We are really looking forward to the challenge. Afghanistan is a very demanding environment in which to live and operate but we have a lot of experience of flying in that part of the world. Because of this we are keen to do our bit in the reconstruction of such a beautiful country and help its people get back on their feet."


Senior Appointments > Senior Officer Biography

COLONEL D.B EDGAR, CD
CANADIAN DEFENCE ATTACHE - AIR FORCE ADVISOR


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Colonel Edgar joined the Canadian Forces in 1974 after completion of an Honours B.A. at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He received his pilot wings on the CT-114 Tutor at CFB Moose Jaw in 1976. Following this Col Edgar underwent helicopter conversion training in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba and advanced training in
Gagetown, New Brunswick.


In 1977 he was posted to 408 Squadron Edmonton where he held the positions of LOH Deputy Flight Commander and CH-136 Kiowa Standards Officer. Col Edgar attended Canadian Forces Staff School in 1980. In

1981, he was posted to 450 Squadron Ottawa and converted to the CH-147 Chinook helicopter. During this tour of duty he completed the Canadian Land Forces Staff College at Kingston. He was subsequently

selected in 1984 as the first Canadian exchange officer to fly the RAF HC1 Chinook with 7 Squadron at RAF Odiham, Hampshire.


As exchange officer he completed a four month tour of duty with 78 Squadron in the Falklands Islands in 1986. In 1987, he was posted as executive assistant to the Deputy Commander of Air Command in Winnipeg, Manitoba.


In 1989, he attended Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in Toronto followed by a tour of duty with 444 Squadron in Lahr, Germany flying the CH-136 Kiowa helicopter. In 1992, following the closure of

444 Squadron, Col Edgar was transferred back to 408 Squadron Edmonton as Deputy Commanding Officer. During the period from March to June 1995, he assumed command of 408 Tac Hel Squadron. In 1995 he was appointed Commandant of the Canadian Forces School of Survival and

Rescue. In July 1996, he was appointed as Commandant 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. Following this, he was assigned as Ex Coord at 1 CAD HQ Winnipeg in 1999. In June 2000 he was promoted to his current rank and assigned as A1 Training in 1 CAD HQ. In August 2003 he assumed the duties as Chief of Staff 1 CAD/CANR HQ. In July 2004 he is appointed as a Canadian Defence Attaché - Air Force Advisor- at CDLS London.


An aviator with more than 4700 hours of Military flying.