De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
De Havilland Canada · Canada · first flew 1964 · transport aircraft
The De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo is a Canadian twin-turboprop STOL military transport, evolved from the piston-engined DHC-4 Caribou and optimised for operations from short, unprepared strips in difficult terrain. It features a high wing, T-tail and a rear ramp for easy loading.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 24.08 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High-wing STOL twin turboprop military transport
- T-tail configuration
- Large rear loading ramp and door
Large high-wing transport with straight wings, T-tail, twin turboprops in prominent nacelles and a slab-sided fuselage with a rear loading ramp. The T-tail and high-wing layout distinguish it clearly from contemporary transports.
Specifications
- The De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo has a length of 24.08 m (79 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 29.26 m (96 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 467 km/h (290 mph).
- Typical crew: 3 + payload.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed to a US Army requirement and first flown in 1964, the Buffalo entered service with the US Army before the mission was transferred to the Air Force. Canada and Brazil were major operators, and the Brazilian air force flew the type on extensive Amazon operations. It saw service in numerous conflicts and humanitarian operations worldwide throughout the 1960s–2000s.
Variants
The DHC-5A and DHC-5D are the main production variants with progressive uprating of the General Electric CT64 turboprop engines.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Canada, Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Kenya and a number of other air forces; Brazil's Força Aérea Brasileira was one of the longest-running operators, keeping the Buffalo flying well into the 21st century.
Related aircraft
- De Havilland Canada DHC-5A Buffalo
- De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou
- de Havilland Canada CP-121 Tracker
- De Havilland Canada DHC-8
- Douglas AC-47 Spooky
- Fairchild Swearingen Merlin
- Grumman C-2 Greyhound
- Grumman C-2A Greyhound
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