Forces of Valor - ROCA Boeing Chinook CH-47SD 1:72 821005B-1 LOW VISIBILITY

The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American-designed twin-engined, tandem rotor, heavy-lift helicopter that was original developed by Vertol, which was subsequently acquired by Boeing in the 1980s. The V-107, as the prototype model was originally designated, was developed to meet a requirement raised by the United States' Department of the Army, who was looking to replace their older piston-engine-powered Sikorsky CH-37 Mojaves. The Mojave boasted larger, heavier and less powerful engines than the turboshaft engines employed on the Chinook, making them less suited in the heavy lift role. Initially, the Chinook was deemed to be too heavy for the conduct of assault missions, an integral part of the air assault concept by vertical envelopment put forward by US war planners in the 1950s. In order to meet this revised requirement, the V-107 prototype was improved to the point where it was eventually adopted by the US Marine Corps, who came to call it the CH-46 Sea Knight. With the success of the Sea Knight, the US Army, still seeking a more capable heavy-lift helicopter of its own that was capable of ferrying troops, vehicle and equipment onto the battlefield and medical evacuations off, eventually ordered a derivative of the V-107, the YCH-1B. In 1962, the YCH-1B was redesignated the CH-47A Chinook. Over the course of the next five decades, the Chinook went on to serve the military forces of over 50 nations, making it one of the most widely used helicopters still in existence today.

The Republic of China air transportation group acquired three of the U.S. Chinook CH-47SD heavy-lift helicopters in 1999.  SD is the abbreviation of “Super D”, implements a significant increase in fuel tank size with 2,068 gallon of capacity, which offers a doubled operating range compare to the standard Chinook helicopters.  The cockpit management system had been upgraded to full colour digital display units as well as implementing new automated flight controls.  In terms of power, the Chinook SD is powered by a pair of Allied Signal T55-L-714A engines with full authority digital engine controls (FADEC), the pair of engines are capable to produce a maximum shaft horsepower exceeding 3,000 Kilo-Watt, an 8% increase compare to standard Chinook CH-47 “D” models.  

The Chinook CH-47SD has a much longer canopy nose design, inside it is equipped with improved radar antennas.  The Chinook SD is capable to reach an attitude of 11,100 feet bearing a maximum gross weight of 54,000 lb.  The standard seat configuration was designed for 37 passengers, however up to 55 troop seats can be installed for special occasions.  The Taiwan heavy-lift helicopter fleet had previously consisted of three Boeing 234 commercial Chinooks before this purchase, its purpose has been to serve as disaster relief, rescuing missions and VIP transport.