Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
YCH-47B
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YCH-1B
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YCH-47A Chinook
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021
1. YCH-47B / YCH-1B / YCH-47A Chinook Marker
This historic aircraft is the 3rd prototype for the venerable CH-47 line. It is now the oldest Chinook in existance. Constructed in 1959, tail number 59-4984 started life with the designation YCH-1B; in 1962 this was changed to YCH-47A; shortly thereafter, it changed to YCH-47B when it was used as the test aircraft for the "B" Model Chinook. Following its test career, this Chinook was used as a maintenance trainer at Fort Eustis until 1975 when it was retired from service. In the early 90s this aircraft was in a field in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania owned by Southeast Equipment Corporation (SECO). After efforts to fully restore the aircraft fell short it was turned over to the Museum in 1992. The aircraft was damaged in shipment to Fort Eustis and then sat outside at Felker AAF for over 10 years before moving to the museum. In 2013 the helicopter was transported to Delaware for restoration by Summit Aviation and in April of 2014, after a year of hard labor, it was returned.
The venerable twin-engine, tandem rotor Chinook helicopter has undergone numerous upgrades since the first CH-47A model was delivered to the Army for use in Vietnam. Beginning in 1982 and ending in 1994, all CH-47A, B and C models were upgraded to the CH-47D version, which remained the U.S. Army standard until the CH-47F began delivery in 2006. The new model has an improved airframe, engines, and avionics. It can lift 21,000 pounds, nearly twice the Chinook's original lift capacity.
Erected by US
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Education • Forts and Castles • War, Vietnam. A significant historical month for this entry is April 2014.
Location. 37° 9.842′ N, 76° 34.572′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. It can be reached from Washington Boulevard just north of Jefferson Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 321 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Virginias Peninsula, in Hampton Roads, in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: VH60-A Blackhawk (VIP) (a few steps from this marker); CH-21C Shawnee (a few steps from this marker); Cybernetic Walker (a few steps from this marker); UH-1H Iroquois (a few steps from this marker); VH-34C / H-34C Choctaw (a few steps from this marker); UH-1B Iroquois (a few steps from this marker); Doak 16 VZ-4DA (a few steps from this marker); U-8D Seminole (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 343 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
