One of the first three Caribous received by the US military, constructed as a YAC-1 and first flown with test registration CF-LKU-X. The trio were delivered to the US Army in October 1959. In August 1961 it became the first of type to be deployed to Vietnam and was used as the South Vietnamese president's aircraft. Leased to Air America in 1962. In 1967 it was assigned to HQ USAF Logistics Command as a YC-7A at Wright Patterson AFB, returning to the Army Aviation Test Board, Texarkana, TX in 1970. In 1975 it flew with the Army Helicopter Demo Team (Silver Eagles), joining the museum in 1983

Golden Knights Parachute Display Team

A very early Caribou in USAF markings. This aircraft was delivered to the US Army in Dec 1959, and transferred to the USAF in Jan 1967. Starting in 1975 the Air Force operated it for the US Army as the support aircraft for the US Army Golden Knights parachute team. In Mar 1980 it was returned to the US Army, and continued to serve for the Golden Knights until 1985. On 2 May 1992 this Caribou was officially dedicated as part of the Dyess Linear Air Park. It was previously incorrectly painted as 58-082, but now only carries some strange "AF58-0" remnants of that on the tail. On the other side it only carries "82" below the TD code.

Photo via Charles Caruana.

First Caribou delivered to US Army and first to operate in Vietnam, arriving August 1961. To Air America May 1962, then back to U.S. in February 1966. To USAF on 1 January 1967 and redesignated YC-7A. Assigned back to US Army and used at several locations including Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. From July 1975 - January 1977 it was the logistic support a/c for the Army's Silver Eagle Helicopter Team. Transferred to the museum in September 1983.

Preserved after operation by the US Army Parachute Team

The fourth Caribou built preserved wearing an unusual plain olive green scheme.

Showing a deteriorating condition when compared with photos in the database taken a few years earlier.

Accepted by the US Army as a YAC-1 (ex CF-LKF-X) in 8.59 and used as the Golden Knights Parachute Team jump aircraft from 1.75 to 3.78 and 5.85 to 7.86, going on display at the US Army Transportation Museum in 1986

Tested by DHC as CF-LQV-X and delivered to the US Army as a YAC-1 in 10.59, this Caribou was assigned to Army Transportation Test & Support and used for arctic weather trials, hence the colour-scheme still worn here. To DM 10.77; fuselage in Western Int'l yard 2008