The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou (designated by the United States military as the CV-2 and later C-7 Caribou) is a Canadian-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. The Caribou was first flown in 1958 and although mainly retired from military operations, is still in use in small numbers as a rugged “bush” aircraft.
The design was further developed as the de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo, adding turboprop engines and other changes that further improved its short-field performance to the point where it competes with light aircraft even with a full load.
Manufacturer: de Havilland Canada
First flight: 30 July 1958
Introduction: 1961
Produced: 1958–1968
Number built: 307
General characteristics
Crew: 2 + loadmaster
Capacity: 30 pax (civil) / 32 troops / 26 fully-equipped paratroops / 22 stretchers, 4 sitting patients and 4 attendants
Length: 72 ft 7 in (22.12 m)
Wingspan: 95 ft 7.5 in (29.147 m)
Height: 31 ft 9 in (9.68 m)
Wing area: 912 sq ft (84.7 m2)
Aspect ratio: 10
Airfoil: centre-section: NACA 643A417.5; tip: NACA 632A615
Basic operating weight: 18,260 lb (8,283 kg)
Maximum payload: 8,740 lb (3,964 kg)
Maximum zero fuel weight: 27,000 lb (12,247 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 28,500 lb (12,927 kg)
Maximum permissible weight for ferry missions: 31,300 lb (14,197 kg)
Maximum landing weight: 28,500 lb (12,927 kg)
Fuel capacity: 690 imp gal (830 US gal; 3,100 l)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7M2 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,450 hp (1,080 kW) each
Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard type 43D50-7107A fully-feathering constant-speed reversible-pitch propellers
Performance
Maximum speed: 187 kn (215 mph, 346 km/h) at 6,500 ft (1,981 m)
Cruise speed: 158 kn (182 mph, 293 km/h) at 7,500 ft (2,286 m) (maximum & econ)
Stall speed: 59 kn (68 mph, 109 km/h)
Never exceed speed: 208 kn (239 mph, 385 km/h)
Range: 1,136 nmi (1,307 mi, 2,104 km) with maximum fuel inc. 45minutes reserve
211 nmi (243 mi; 391 km) with maximum payoad inc. 45minutes reserve
Service ceiling: 24,800 ft (7,600 m)
Service ceiling on one engine: 8,800 ft (2,682 m)
Rate of climb: 1,355 ft/min (6.88 m/s)
Wing loading: 31.2 lb/sq ft (152 kg/m2) maximum
Power/mass: 0.102 hp/lb (0.168 kW/kg)
