In my time many years ago the Caribou was called
Tac TSR ie Tactical Transport Short Range
and the Hercs etc are Tac TLR ie Long Range.
So the missions are very different between a Caribou and a Herc.
AFAIK the Caribou is the last piston engined plane in military service anywhere in the developed world.
They ran out of cylinders many years ago and Hawker deHavilland were re casting them in Sydney. They tried re-engining them with turbines but apparently it was not feasible due to airframe limitations or something like that.
BTW I saw a turboprop DC3 on the tele somewhere recently so now someone is doing that.
If this is all old news I hope the plane buffs will keep their sneering at a subdued level.
Regard sPhilip A

