Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter 03-08003.

03-08003

" Franken F "

11 October 2006: CH-47F (minus) Chinook helicopter 03-08003 on the ramp at Summit Aviation Airport (KEVY). Summit Aviation is located near Middletown, Delaware and was the first site used in the initial train-up of S3 Incorporated aviators in 2006 who would go on to become the premiere New Equipment Training Team (NETT) for the H-47 F model fielding. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

   03-08003, Boeing Vertol Tab Number MN511, U.S. Army Tab Number M8003, was a CH-47F helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 21 July 2004. As of 21 July 2004, 03-08003 had accumulated 12.9 F model hours and 5,716.2 total aircraft hours.

   03-08003 was a conversion from the original C model Chinook 67-18541 that was later converted to D model Chinook helicopter 83-24121.

   On 10 June 2000, 03-08003 was inducted into the F model program, converted, and initially assigned to the Army Aviation Test Activity (ATTC), located at Fort Rucker, Alabama, for testing and evaluation.

   03-08003 was the third in the line of prototype F model Chinook helicopters produced.

   It was essentially a proof of concept test vehicle for the new Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS) and the Common Aviation Architecture System (CAAS).

   It was neither a D model nor a full up F model helicopter. However, it incorporated most of the features that eventually went into the production F models.

   From November 2006 to July 2007, 03-08003 was utilized at Summit Aviation, located near Middletown, Delaware, for the training of the initial aircrews certified to fly the F model Chinook.

S3 Inc New Equipment Traing Team decal, circa 2011.

In January 2007, 03-08003 was assigned to the S3 Incorporated New Equipment Training Team (NETT) and utilized in the Aircraft Qualification Course (AQC) supporting the training of aircrews at various locations throughout the United States.

Throughout 2007, 03-08003 was located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, assisting in B Company - "Varsity", 7th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), 101st Airborne Division's transition to the F model fleet.

In 2008, 03-08003 was located at Fort Hood, Texas, assisting in the training of flight crews as part of B Company- "Clydesdales", 4th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), 4th Infantry Division's transition to the F model fleet.

From October 2008 to April 2009, 03-08003 was located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, assisting in B Company - "Flippers", 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), 82nd Airborne Divison's transition to the F model fleet.

In 2009, 03-08003 was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, assisting in B Company - "Pachyderms", 6th Battalion, 101st Airborne Division's transition to the F model fleet.

   On 19 November 2009, 03-08003 was flown to Redstone Army Airfield (KHUA), near Huntsville, Alabama, by Bill Graham, Mark Morgan and Bob Muller. This was the last NET Team related flight in this aircraft.

   At some point, 03-08003 was bailed to Boeing and sent to the factory for some refurbishment. From there it went to India on tour as a display aircraft while Boeing pitched the F model to the Indian government as the helicopter of choice.

   At some point, 03-08003 was transferred to the United Kingdom for an unknown purpose. The airframe received a Royal Air Force (RAF) livery paint scheme and eventually wound up as a static display aircraft.

   As of 6 April 2012, the last known location of 03-08003 was at RAF Odiham on static display near the main gate.

   Aircraft status: Static Display.

11 October 2006: CH-47F (minus) Chinook helicopter 03-08003 on the ramp at Summit Aviation Airport (KEVY) near Middletown, Delaware. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

11 October 2006: CH-47F (minus) Chinook helicopter 03-08003 on the ramp at Summit Aviation Airport (KEVY) near Middletown, Delaware. In the background are CH-47D helicopters about to be recycled to facilitate the F model production. Although the F model airframe itself is brand new, all serviceable dynamic parts (those that move), some hydraulic components, and engines from aged D models are used to produce F model helicopters on those aircraft whose tail numbers include the numbers xx-080xx. The xx-087xx tail numbers are all brand new airframes with all brand new components. What is left of the D model airframe is then fed to a shredder and recycled. This recycling is accomplished by Summit Aviation. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

Saved From The Scrap Yard

   Most D models are so badly worn from the many years of intensive service that it is uneconomically feasible to repair and convert or upgrade them to the next version of airframe.

   Nearly all of the D models produced were conversions from previous A, B or C model airframes that were already decades old. While these airframes were in the D model production line, numerous airframe modifications were made that extended the lifting power and strength of the fuselage. Still, the basic structure remained the same. While the floor beams were new, the skin and supporting structure was all original.

   The G model airframes produced were conversions from existing D and E models. However the cost to repair and upgrade was immense.

   Eventually it was determined that the cost to manufacture a completely new F model airframe was considerably cheaper than retrofitting a used D model.

   So what happens to the old D model Chinook helicopters? If they cannot be sold to a foreign government, they will be scrapped. There are few, if any buyers. Generally, as it now stands (2012), the dynamic components (engines, transmission, blades, etc) that are serviceable get removed and used on certain F model tail numbers. The basic airframe is fed to a shredder and sold as scrap.

So, 03-08003 is one of the lucky airframes that made it to the static display level and we are happy about that given it's fine history as an F model prototype and trainer.

Thank you to the folks that made this happen.

6 April 2012: In a photograph provided by Bill McNally CH-47F (minus) Chinook helicopter 03-08003 is seen in Royal Air Force livery standing guard at the gate of RAF Odiham, England, on permanent static display. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

25 January 2013: In a photograph provided by Mike Hopwood CH-47F (minus) Chinook helicopter 03-08003 is seen in Royal Air Force livery standing guard at the gate of RAF Odiham, England, on permanent static display. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.