A rotary winged aircraft (
helicopter) produced by Boeing/Vertol, it is very distinctive, having two counter rotating rotors rather than the main rotor/tail rotor setup of most helicopters. A powerful
heavy-lifter, the first version introduced during '
nam could carry about six tons, the latest versions (e,
f) can carry over twelve. The aircraft is designated CH-47. (CH stands for Cargo Helicopter)
The sound of a chinook is very distinctive, like some enormous jackhammer, a penetrating basso thunder that can be heard miles away, and makes the earth shake when the aircraft passes close by.