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Nearly 50 years after it's inception into the US Army, the Boeing Vertol CH-47 Chinook is still the helicopter of choice for military transport.

Faced with the Soviet threat during the Cold War, an all-out fight to the finish war was a real possibility. The US Army needed to add leverage to its smaller military force. Massive tactical mobility was wisely identified as a solution, based on the successful use of the helicopter in Korea. The Vietnam conflict became the proving ground for greatly improved machines. The CH-47 Chinook was first deployed to the 1st Calvary in 1965 and soon became an unwelcome sight for enemy forces. For the first time, an overwhelming force of artillery, vehicles, supplies and troops could literally appear out of nowhere.

Vertol initially produced the twin rotor H-21 "Flying Banana" with these advantages in mind. Unfortunately, they had a single, underpowered piston engine and were disastrously easy to shoot down. With these lessons in hand, design of the Chinook began in earnest in 1956. Development of powerful and reliable turboshaft engines finally enabled larger, faster and safer helicopters with a greater payload capacity. Vertol merged with Boeing in 1960 and the first CH47A was flown in 1961.

Unobstructed interior cargo space was impressive, over 30 feet long, 6 feet high and 7 feet wide. The first "A" models could haul 13,400 lb. loads over a 23 mile radius or lighter loads over a greater distance. 20,000 lbs. lifts with its external hook for short distances were routinely done. As with any helicopter, atmospheric conditions and altitude greatly influenced performance capabilities.

This unique aircraft is easily identified by its 60 foot long, box-car like appearance and massive twin, 3 bladed rotors. These intermeshing rotors rotate opposite to each other, eliminating the wasted power and weight of a tail rotor. It was about 100 feet long from tip to tip of the blades. Each 2,650 hp Lycoming T55 turboshaft engine was mounted externally, directly beneath each rotor. In the event of an engine failure, a single engine can power both rotors. In the event of total power loss a perfect landing can still be performed by autorotation and flaring (I occasionally watch training exercises for total power loss a truly awesome sight).

Cruising speed was 130 knots and maximum speed was 170 knots. The Chinook is one of very few helicopters than can land on water without overturning. It can remain floating for a minimum of 30 minutes without

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