YAC-1 / CV-2 / CV-7 Caribou
The US Army acquired the YAC-1/CV-2 Caribou in 1958. Initially procuring 173, the De Havilland Caribou was the largest fixed-wing aircraft in the Army inventory. Originally designated YAC-1, the aircraft was redesignated CV-2 in 1962 and retained that designation for the remainder of its Army career.
The Army took the CV-2 to Vietnam in 1962 where their short-field performance and 3-ton payload made it an excellent tactical transport airplane. Initially, it specialized in resupply of Special Forces outposts that were inaccessible by road and that normally were supplied by either air drop or helicopter.
The Army released the CV-2s to the Air Force in 1966 under an Army-Air Force agreement. The Army traded the Caribou for an end to all restrictions on helicopters. It is for this reason that many consider the Caribou to be the most significant aircraft in Army aviation history. The USAF redesignated the Caribou and C-7 and soon ended the short field missions the Caribou had been known for, relegating it to general cargo transport.
The Army kept several prototypes, including this example. Tail No. 57-3079 was the fifth prototype YAC-1 delivered to the Army in November 1958. This aircraft was a replacement for the first prototype which crashed.
The Army's Golden Knights parachute team used this aircraft from October,
this page online
Erected by US Army Transportation Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold • War, Vietnam. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1973.
Location. 37° 9.827′ N, 76° 34.593′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Washington Boulevard and 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. U-1A Otter (a few steps from this marker); CH-37 Mojave (a few steps from this marker); Airgeep II VZ-8P (B) (a few steps from this marker); U-6A Beaver (a few steps from this marker); VH-34C / H-34C Choctaw (within shouting distance of this marker); GEM, Model 2500 Air Car (within shouting distance of this marker); VH60-A Blackhawk (VIP) (within shouting distance of this marker); H-25A Mule (within shouting distance of 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 158 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
