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One of the three supply helicopters available to NATO forces, the Chinook HC.1 is slower than its French counterpart, the SA.330L Puma, for 1.5 the price and capacity, and 75% of the capacity of the CH-47C Super Chinook for 80% of its cost, making it the least cost-effective of all NATO resupply helicopters.

History[]

In March 1967 an order was placed for fifteen Chinook HC1s, standing for Helicopter, Cargo Mark 1, for the Royal Air Force to replace the Bristol Belvedere. This original HC1 variant was to be based on the CH-47B but the order was cancelled in a review of defence spending in November 1967,

UK Chinook procurement ambitions were revived in 1978 with an announced requirement for a new heavy-lift helicopter to replace the Westland Wessex. Thirty Chinooks were ordered at a price of US$200 million. These helicopters, comparable to the CH-47C with Lycoming T55-L-11E engines, were again designated Chinook HC1, and entered service in December 1980. Eight more HC1s were delivered from 1984 to 1986 with the CH-47D's Lycoming T55-L-712 turboshafts.

The replacement of the HC1's metal rotor blades with aluminum and glass fire composite rotor blades saw these aircraft designated Chinook HC1B. All surviving aircraft were later returned to Boeing and updated to the Chinook HC2 standard for further service within the RAF.

See also[]

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