Fairchild (original), built under license by Handley Page (UK), Ford (USA), and others de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Caribou

Kiwi Aviation 🇳🇿

13 Apr 2026 · © KiwiAviation1

Rare Royal New Zealand Air Force de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou NZ5903 displayed in a museum, wearing camo livery.

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Aircraft

de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Caribou PHA

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) camouflage

NZ5903

Registration

Airline

Royal New Zealand Air Force

Manufacturer

Fairchild (original), built under license by Handley Page (UK), Ford (USA), and others

Gear

iPhone 12 Pro

Achievements

Cargo King, Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Military Maverick

4 badges earned

Insights

Aviation History

The DHC-4 Caribou was a renowned STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) cargo/troop aircraft, widely used by smaller air forces and famed for its rugged design.

Fleet Rarity

Very rare: only a handful are preserved or still airworthy globally. RNZAF operated just a few.

Record Flights

Operated into extremely basic forward areas and short strips during the Vietnam War; record for performance in primitive conditions.

Safety & Events

Caribou aircraft were often involved in critical resupply and medevac missions during Vietnam and regional conflicts, earning high regard for reliability.

Future Outlook

Struck from active military service, typically preserved in museums. This frame is a museum exhibit.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney R-2000 Twin Wasp radial piston engines

Engine

29.0 meters

Wingspan

22.9 meters

Length

1,410 kilometers

Range

305 kilometers per hour

Speed

32 troops or 4,100 kg cargo

Capacity

14,968 kilograms

MTOW

9.0 meters

Height

Each engine: 1,450 hp (1,081 kW)

Thrust

ICAO Chapter 2 (older standards, noisier aircraft); ~90 dB on takeoff

Noise