Boeing Vertol BV-107-II/Kawasaki-Vertol KV-107-II/Swedish Air Force and Navy/Swedish Armed Forces HKP 4
Vertol 107 first flight: April 22, 1958
First flight production BV-107-II: May 19, 1961
First HKP 4 delivery to Swedish Navy: October 1, 1963 Swedish Armed Forces HKP 4 last flight: March 1, 2011
The sole Vertol 107 prototype made a 30-day tour of Europe in the Spring of 1959 following the Paris Air Show, which included demonstrations in Sweden. The success of these demonstrations led to the purchase of HKP 4s. Some of these aircraft would replace the Swedish HKP 1s (Vertol 44B/H-21) which were first delivered in March 1958.
Based on the very similar US Marine Corps/Navy/Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight, the first HKP 4 delivery to the Swedish Navy took place on Oct. 1, 1963. Eventually, 10 HKP 4As were made by Boeing for the Swedish Air Force and served until 1992. Four HKP 4Bs were manufactured for the Swedish Navy, also by Boeing. Eight HKP 4Cs for the Navy were constructed under license by Kawasaki and, in 1991, four HKP 4As were transferred from the Air Force and rebuilt as HKP 4Ds for the Navy.
The HKP 4 is powered by two Rolls Royce Gnome H.1400-1 turboshafts, each delivering 1,400 shp (1,044 kW). The Gnome is a licensed-built variant of the General Electric CT58 turboshaft.
The aircraft performed numerous tasks while in service: cargo/utility/troop transport, firefighting, medevac, minesweeping, ASW and rescue.
On April 9, 2010, Sweden’s Secretary of Defense announced the retirement of the HKP 4 fleet. On March 1, 2011, the Swedish Armed Forces retired its last HKP 4 after 48 years of service.
Starting in 1991, Columbia Helicopters International, a US-based commercial operator of tandem-rotor helicopters, purchased four Swedish Air Force HKP 4s followed by a second purchase in December 2012 of 10 of the retired HKP 4s and spare parts. After refurbishment, these aircraft would serve as Columbia 107s in firefighting and utility/transport roles.
Description: Ken Bartie
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