This Chinook was all fired up prior to taking off but there was a problem with the rear engine so everything jhad to be shut down and a mechanic called out. He must have fixed the problem as it took off a hour later.

In April 2021, N43CU became Coulson's 5th CH-47D. Originally built as a CH-47C (cn B736 / US FY # 74-22272), it was remanufactured / modified to CH-47D standard in 1990. Interestingly, new c/n M3334 plus new US FY # 90-0182 was assigned to this airfame during the upgrade. Retired by the US Army around 2015, apparently becoming N160BE (not confirmed) with Unical and then N43CU in August 2019 (confirmed). The Edison sticker title suggests the heli had been contracted by the electrical company at the time the picture was taken.

This Chinook, along with its fuel tender came to Vernon from California and it spent some time fighting the West Kelowna wildfire.

Arriving at the Melbourne docks is N40CU which is heading back to the USA after completion of its NSW RFS contract for season 2022/23.

CH-47D, N49CU, has fought fires in the US, Chile and Bolivia. Seen being prepared at KTRM Thermal Airport, CA for a new firefighting contract in Argentina. This Chinook was the last of 12 Royal Australian Air Force CH-47C's (A15-012). In 1993, seven surviving RAAF CH-47Cs were sold to the US Army and four others upgraded by Boeing to CH-47Ds. This CH-47C, msn CE012, 73-21981 became US Army CH-47D, msn M3461, 93-0934. Based in Hawaii in 2007. To Unical Aviation in 2017 as N160CZ. To Coulson-Unical as N49CU in April 2020 and modified by Coulson Aviation at its HQ in Port Alberni, BC, Canada.

Boeing CH-47D, N47CU is one of the oldest operational Chinooks in the world, and the oldest in civil use. Built as CH-47A msn B017, 61-2413 for the US Army and later upgraded to a CH-47D, msn M3440, 92-0299. It was sold to Unical Aviation Inc. in California and registered N160EB in April 2017. In March 2019, Coulson Aviation partnered with Unical to put some of its ex-US Army CH-47s and UH-60As to work fighting wildfires in the US, Australia and South America. Reregistered N47CU in Sep 2019. Coulson-Unical renamed Coulson & Tan. N47CU went to Chile by sea in Nov 2022 to fight wildfires.

Back for its second season in Victoria is N42CU, a CU-47 Chinook airtanker conversion, or Helitak 341.