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| Which D is the Oldest? |
| As of 22 March 2003 |
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| What D model tail number is the oldest operational one could become quite a debate. Because we only have a limited set of data available, we chose the U.S. Army acceptance date as the basis of determining the age of any particular tail number. If we had the date that the last Red X was signed off during production, we would go with that, but you know - we'll never get that much information. |
| If one considers including the prototypes into the equation: |
| Three aircraft were selected as prototypes for conversion to D model helicopters. |
| A model Chinook 65-08008, Boeing build number B-180, accepted by the Army on 13 April 1966, was re-serial numbered as 76-08008 for the prototyping. The first D model prototype flight occurred on 11 May 1979. On 21 October 1992, 76-08008 was inducted into the program and became production D model 92-00304, Boeing D model kit number M3445, accepted by the Army on 12 November 1993. |
| B model 67-18479, Boeing build number B-449, accepted by the Army on 17 January 1968, was re-serial numbered as 76-18479 for the prototyping. Sometime after the D testing was completed at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in 1982, 76-18479 was assigned to Fort Eustis, Virginia, and was utilized as a Category B D model training device in the 67U maintenance course, and eventually stricken from the flyable inventory. |
| The third and final prototype was CH-47C 67-18538, Boeing build number B-508, accepted by the Army on 25 July 1968. 67-18538 was re-serial numbered as 76-18538 for the prototyping and was also utilized at Fort Eustis as a training device. On 14 October 1992, 76-18538 was inducted into the program and became production D model 92-00303, Boeing D model kit number M3444, accepted by the Army on 5 November 1993. |
| The first six production D models are listed next: |
| CH-47A 66-19025, Boeing build number B-283, accepted by the Army on 12 December 1966, became 81-23381, Boeing D model kit number M3004, accepted by the Army on 31 March 1982. |
| CH-47A 66-19052, Boeing build number B-310, accepted by the Army on 8 February 1967, became 81-23382, Boeing D model kit number M3005, accepted by the Army on 16 July 1982. |
| CH-47A 66-19017, Boeing build number B-275, accepted by the Army on 2 December 1966, became 81-23383, Boeing D model kit number M3006, accepted by the Army on 24 November 1982. |
| CH-47A 66-19057, Boeing build number B-315, accepted by the Army on 15 February 1967, became 81-23384, Boeing D model kit number M3007, accepted by the Army on 30 November 1982. |
| CH-47A 66-19073, Boeing build number B-331, accepted by the Army on 22 March 1967, became 81-23385, Boeing D model kit number M3008, accepted by the Army on 18 December 1982. |
| CH-47A 66-19088, Boeing build number B-346, accepted by the Army on 21 April 1967, became 81-23386, Boeing D model kit number M3009, accepted by the Army on 22 December 1982. |
| Based on the above information, if the time spent as prototypes is considered, then 92-00304 is the oldest operational D model (if one includes the time spent as 76-08008). |
| If the prototypes are not included, which is logical since they were not quite full up D models yet, then 81-23381 is the oldest operational D model. 81-23381 was the first production D model. As of 20 February 2002, 81-23381 was last known to be assigned to the United States Army Aviation Technical Test Center (USAATTC), located at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Given the designation of Bearcat 1, 81-23381 was utilized as a testing platform for various developmental concepts and airworthiness certifications. |
| 61-02409, Boeing build number B-013, originally an HC-1B helicopter, accepted by the Army on 9 January 1963, which became 91-00261, accepted by the Army on 4 September 1992, is the oldest flyable airframe. |
| The reason 61-02409 wins out over 60-03449, Boeing build number B-008, is the Army acceptance date. 60-03449, accepted by the Army on 20 February 1963, became 92-00309, accepted by the Army on 28 February 1994. |
| What causative factors led to 60-03449 to be accepted by the Army over a month later than 61-02409 are unknown. |
| On a final note, the Aviation Support Facility (ASF) at Fort Hood, Texas, is the proud owner of the last D model ever built, 98-02000. |
| Now - which one of you tail numbers out there has the most flight time? We think it is 86-01646, having accumulated more than 10,500 flight hours as of 2001. |
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