85-24336

 

         

 

             85-24336, Boeing D model kit number M3106, was a CH-47D helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 22 March 1986. As of 1 November 1999, 85-24336 had accumulated 2,337.3 D model hours and 5,798.7 total aircraft hours. 85-24336 was a conversion from the original A model Chinook 66-00124. On 15 March 1985, 85-24336 was inducted into the D model program, converted, and was initially assigned to the unit that would eventually become C Company - "Flippers", 159th Aviation Regiment, 18th Aviation Brigade, located at Simmons Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At some point, and as of 31 December 2003, the 18th Aviation Brigade was located at Simmons Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, and was subordinate to the 18th Airborne Corps. The 18th Airborne Corps was subordinate to Forces Command (FORSCOM), which was a major command (MACOM) of 2nd Army. C Company was the former 196th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Flippers". The 196th ASHC was re-designated A Company, 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment in approximately 1988. In September 1996, 2nd Battalion was deactivated and the unit was re-designated A Company, 159th Aviation Regiment. In approximately November 1996, the unit was re-designated as C Company, 159th Aviation Regiment. As of 1 January 2002, this aircraft was 35.2 years old. As of 1 November 1999, the last known location of 85-24336 was Fort Bragg, assigned to C Company, 159th Aviation Regiment. Aircraft status: Flyable.

 

 

          An Adventure in JRTC

 

         
Boeing CH-47D Chinook - Flipper 85-24336.

          Flipper Aircraft - 85-24336.

 

             Dateline - Louisiana (October 1999): Chinook 85-24336, destined certainly to become one of America's finest Chinook helicopters, recently underwent an unauthorized modification while on temporary duty at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in Louisiana.

 

         
Boeing CH-47D Chinook - Flipper 85-24336.

          The Hole

 

             The large gapping hole amidships was perhaps intended as an emergency escape from total embarrassment, but was subsequently discovered to let in too much fluid in during water landings.

 

         
Boeing CH-47D Chinook - Flipper 85-24336, and SGT Bo Crumpler.

          SGT Bo Crumpler

 

             Bo, a definitive CH-47 Flight Engineer who stands over 6 foot high, wonders what he should do with the wood that he found lodged in the underbelly of his baby...

 

          Stump Jumper ?

 

             Is 85-24336 destined to become the new replacement aircraft for the long gone Guns-A-Go-Go aircraft originally named Stump Jumper? Is this an Omen? Or just a freak accident of nature? We will keep checking with the Flipper crew to see what events materialize next and keep you informed...

 

         
Boeing Chinook 85-24336, inside the cabin, looking forward.

          Inside the cabin of 85-24336, looking forward - 12 July 1998.

 

 

          The CH-47 - 40 years old and still circling the world.

         

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