[R-DEV]Rhino wrote:prove to me that all standard chinooks can float and we can look into it.
I present to you:
"[size=-1]The Model 114 was, in effect, a larger and more powerful version of the same company's Model 107 (CH-46 Sea Knight). The non-retractable landing gear is of quadricycle configuration, and the fuselage has sealed and compartmented fairing pods on each side of the lower fuselage, extending for almost three-quarters of the fuselage length to supplement the buoyancy of the sealed lower fuselage for water operations.[/size]"
"[size=-1]DESIGN FEATURES: Two three-blade intermeshing contrarotating tandem rotors; front rotor turns anti-clockwise, viewed from above; rotor transmissions driven by connecting shafts from combiner gearbox, which is driven by rear-mounted engines. Classic rotor heads with flapping and drag hinges; manually foldable blades, using Boeing Helicopters VR7 and VR8 aerofoils with cambered leading-edges; blades can survive hits from 23mm HEI and API rounds; rotor brake optional. Constant cross-section cabin with side door at front; rear-loading ramp that can be opened in flight; underfloor section sealed to give flotation after water landing; access to flight deck from cabin; main cargo hook mounting covered by removable floor panel so that load can be observed in flight. [/size]"
Boeing-Vertol CH-47 "Chinook" helicopter - development history, photos, technical data
Anecdotal, but still:
I remember a marketing trip that Boeing/Vertol took to South America many years ago and the crew landed their Chinook in Lake Titicaca. What's so impressive about that? Any helicopter operating from water must be able to lift itself back out of the water as well as the weight of any water that naturally enters the aircraft. This is challenging enough at sea level, but Lake Titicaca is located high in the Andes mountains at over 12,500 feet, well above the safe hover altitude for most helicopters. The Chinook took the challenge in stride, attesting to the brute power of the aircraft.
Trumpeter 1/72 CH-47A Chinook
So no, you can't land on water and switch off its engines, nip to the pub and come back and find your Chinook still tethered to the end of the jetty - it's not a seaplane or flying boat... but it is buoyant enough to put down on water with the engines running
)
