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65-07992, Boeing build number B-164, was a CH-47A helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 24 February 1966. The administrative strike date was 11 April 1975. 65-07992 accumulated 734.0 aircraft hours. 65-07992 was part of the Heavy Lift Helicopter (HLH) Program. Boeing Vertol developed the experimental BV-347 to test various concepts and components for use on future heavy lift helicopters. The prototype model 347 was a converted CH-47A and made its first flight during 1972. The aircraft was extensively modified and featured a nine foot two inch stretch in the main cabin, retractable landing gear, four bladed rotors which were longer than the standard CH-47D blades by two and one half feet, and a raised aft pylon. The most unusual modification was the provision for a wing which could be mounted on the top center fuselage to augment the lift from the rotors. The prototype was fitted with an advanced fly-by-wire control system and was powered by updated Lycoming T55-L-11 engines giving it a maximum speed exceeding 180 knots. After the prototype completed the test program during 1975, it was retired. 65-07992 was transferred to the Army Aviation Museum located at Fort Rucker, Alabama. As of 1 January 2002, this aircraft was 35.8 years old. As of 15 September 2001, the last known location of 65-07992 was at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Aircraft status: Museum exhibit. |
