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65-08008, Boeing build number B-180, was a CH-47A helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 13 April 1966. 65-08008 accumulated 3,504.2 aircraft hours. In 1976, 65-08008, along with B model 67-18479 and C model 67-18538, was selected as a D model prototype airframe and re-serial numbered as 76-08008. This aircraft, and subsequent D model aircraft, eventually sported the Lycoming T55-L-712 engine, capable of producing a minimum of 4,500 shaft horsepower (SHP), fiberglass rotor blades, a re-designed cockpit, as well as numerous other changes . The slogan - "Only The Silhouette Remains The Same" was coined to describe the D model aircraft verses it's predecessors. 76-08008 accumulated 288.0 hours as a D model prototype. The first flight of 76-08008 occurred on 11 May 1979 and Boeing Vertol Test Pilot Ron Mechlin was at the controls. On 21 October 1992, 76-08008 was re-inducted into the D model program for upgrades, and converted to 92-00304 The last known location of 65-08008 was at Boeing during the conversion. Aircraft status: Converted to D model. |
