De HAVILLAND C-7A CARIBOU

With a long history of designing light transports with excellent short take-off and landing capabilities, Canada’s De Havilland Aircraft Company stood in perfect position to exploit the instability of the post-World War II world. Limited military incursions and small brush fire wars erupted in a near continuous stream throughout the decades following the surrender of the Axis powers. With a firm commitment to stemming the spread of Soviet style communism the United States needed a rugged, dependable, transport capable of landing on primitive strips in poorly developed war zones.

The high-wing, twin-engine C-7A Caribou with its light footprint, capacious cargo load and short takeoff and landing capability fit the United States needs perfectly. In 1959, the United States Army ordered 173 Caribous with the first deliveries in 1962, just as US involvement in Southeast Asia began heating up. The Caribou’s record in Vietnam with the United States Air Force and Army, as well as with civilian agency operators like Air America, was impressive. With the ability to land on strips with as little as a 1,200-foot runway or, when necessary, airdrop at low altitudes and extremely slow speeds the Caribou kept supplies flowing in the most trying of conditions.

The museum’s C-7A Caribou serial number 63-9757 was delivered to the United States Army in 1965 and assigned to the 17^thAviation Company before being immediately deploying to Vietnam. Flying out of An Khe until 1967 before being transferred to the United States Air Force along with all other United States Army C-7A Caribous in the U.S. inventory.

Although transferred to the US Air Force as part of an agreement granting the Air Force control of all fixed wing aircraft, 63-9757 remained at An Khe and was assigned to the 537^th Tactical Airlift Squadron. A part of the 483^rd Tactical Airlift Wing, the 537^th flew combat support operations flying into and out of hot landing strips delivering men and material to 1^st Cavalry Division troops and Special Forces camps engaged in combat with Vietnamese communist forces until it was withdrawn from Vietnam in 1971.

Returning to the United States 63-9757 served in the 357^th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 908^th Tactical Airlift Group, 94^th Tactical Airlift Wing (AFRES) before being returned to the United States Army National Guard. In 1991 the aircraft was assigned to the Hill Air Force Base Museum where it stayed on exhibit until 2024 when it was moved to the March Field Air Museum. The aircraft will be restored to its 357^th TAS Vietnam service livery.