Curious Chinook Conversion

December 21, 2007:  Britain is paying about $15 million each to have eight Chinook Mk3 (MH-47) helicopters converted from their special operations role, to standard combat transport models (CH-47). The eight Mk3s originally cost over half a billion dollars (all together) and entered service 5-6 years ago. But they have rarely been used, and the need for transport helicopters in Afghanistan is acute. Britain has 40 Chinook transports, and this conversion will make it 48.  The Chinook can carry up to ten tons of cargo, or up to 55 troops. A new Chinook would cost about $40 million.