DHC-5 “BUFFALO” GOES INTO PRODUCTION
(Republished from the 15 January 1965 issue of The Voxair)
The Honourable Paul Hellyer, Minister of National Defence recently announced that an initial order will be placed for 15 Buffalo aircraft from de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, Toronto. The Buffalo is a STOL (short takeoff and landing) transport aircraft of medium range with considerable capacity for airlifting either troops or cargo. Its acquisition will enhance still further the flexibility of the Forces, and is in line with the White Paper concept of developing tactical mobility.
The production program for the DHC-5 Buffalo will commence immediately and the Canadian Ministry of Defence has been assured of the first deliveries in the spring of 1966.
The DHC-5 Buffalo is ideally suited for its task with the Canadian Defence Forces. Its short take-off and landing capability permits it to operate at its full gross weight of 38,000 lbs. from unprepared airstrips of about 1,000 ft. It can carry a useful load of 5 1/2 tons or 41 fully equipped troops. Rear door loading facilitates easy handling of bulky loads, a variety of wheel and track vehicles, artillery pieces and other military equipment. Powered by two General Electric T-64 turbine engines developing 2,850 equivalent shaft horsepower each and equipped with Hamilton Standard fully reversing propellers, the DHC-5 Buffalo cruises at up to 232 kts, and has a range of up to 1,760 n.m.
As a result of a cost sharing agreement between the governments of the United States and Canada, and the DeHavilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, the development of the DHC-5 Buffalo commenced late in 1962. The first flight took place in April 1964 and today, with four aircraft flying, the certification program is well advanced. These four aircraft will be delivered for evaluation to the United States Army commencing in April 1965.
The Buffalo also may be what the RCAF is looking for in a replacement multi-engine aircraft for Training Command. It has been apparent for some time that a modern multi-engine aircraft is required for advanced pilot and navigation-radio training.
Various aircraft have been considered for the job, among them the jet power Sabreliner, the piston powered DeHavilland 125 and Caribou, and the Beechcraft Queen Air. The Buffalo compares favourably with all these aircraft, and with few modifications could be adapted for use in a training role. The fact the Buffalo is a turbo-prop, is Canadian designed, and is already in production, are other points in it’s favour.