De Havilland Canada Dhc-4 Caribou

Twin Piston

The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou is a rugged twin-engine STOL transport designed in the late 1950s for military tactical airlift into unprepared strips. Originally powered by Pratt & Whitney R-2000 radial piston engines, the Caribou earned a legendary reputation for short-field performance during the Vietnam War, where it could operate from jungle clearings barely longer than a football field. Its high wing, fixed landing gear, and rear cargo ramp made it ideal for hauling troops and supplies into forward positions that larger aircraft could never reach. The type saw extensive service with the U.S. Army and Air Force, as well as air arms across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. While most military Caribous were retired by the 1980s, a handful remain in civilian hands today, often converted to turboprop power with PT6A engines for improved performance and reliability. These conversions, sometimes designated DH4T, retain the aircraft's legendary STOL capability while offering modern powerplants and avionics. The Caribou's ability to land in under 600 feet and climb out at steep angles remains unmatched among aircraft of its size and payload class. SkyMeter has tracked 28 flights across 3 airframes and 3 operators over routes, with ODAC LLC the largest observed operator.