After testing their fleet of Caribous, the US Army returned to de Havilland Canada in the early '60s with a few improvements. Nicknamed the "Caribou II", the final product was officially named the Buffalo.
An advanced version of the DHC-4, the Buffalo was designed to carry vehicles and helicopters while supporting missiles, turbine engines, rear loading and a five ton payload. The U.S. were impressed with their initial tests, and the RCAF purchased fifteen for their own fleet.
The Buffalo was perfect for low-level missions under enemy attack. It was able to avert enemy fire with its steep descent and pull-up capability. Despite its record-breaking climb-speed - it broke six times the height records in one 17 minute flight - the Buffalo was lost in the American political shuffle.
The Army would acquire helicopters and the Air Force would take over fixed-wing operations instead. The Buffalo was no longer required by the U.S., although other nations continued to buy the ever-improving DHC-5 throughout the '80s.
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