COMMONWEALTH AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
CAC Bell Kiowa Army Helicopter
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The Australian Defence Force (ADF) chose the militarised Bell 206 (B206B-1) helicopter named "Kiowa", to fill its requirement for a Light Observation Helicopter, and the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was to produce them in Australia under license at their works at Fishermen's Bend Melbourne.
The first 12 CA-32s were built by Bell in Texas, and 43 were finally produced by the CAC, the first serialed A17- 013 being delivered in 1973 and the last, A17- 056, in 1977. The type was formally retired from ADF service in 2018.
The Museum successfully tendered for some of the airframes and being allocated A17-006, A17- 045 and A17- 055. Kiowa A17- 006 was delivered to the ADF in 1971, transferred to the RAN in 1988, and back to the Army in 2000. A17- 045 was delivered to the ADF in 1976, serving with No 161 Reconnaissance Squadron in Darwin until 2005. A17-055, the second last Kiowa built by the CAC was delivered to the ADF in 1976, demonstrated at the Avalon Airshow in 2003, then served with No 161 Reconnaissance Squadron until 2005.
All three were delivered to the Museum in 2017. A17- 055 is on display in the main hangar. A17- 045 is on display under the wing of the Bristol Freighter and A17- 006 was sold.
TECHNICAL DATA
Power plant : 1x 400shp Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine
Length 31'02'' (9.5m) Rotor Diameter : 35' 04'' (10.78m) Height : 9'05'' (2.87m)
Weights : empty - 1,464lbs (664kg) maximum - 3,200lbs (1,451kg)
Speeds : maximum - 118kt (142mph) (222km/hr) cruise - 85kt (100mph) (160km/hr)
Range : 345miles (555km)