Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the tactical transports category.
01 / Overview
De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1965–1986
Quantity
122
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
TACTICAL TRANSPORTS · COLD WAR
9
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the tactical transports category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Flight1964
- Service Entry Year1965
- Crew2
- Primary RoleSTOL tactical and utility transport
- In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant3MOD.3
- Engine TypeGeneral Electric CT64 turboprop
- Number of Engines2
- Power (each, turboprop)2,336 kW
▣Performance7MOD.7
- Cruise Speed460 km/h
- Top Speed560 km/h
- Service Ceiling7,620 m
- Maximum Range2,300 km
- Range with Max Payload1,800 km
- Takeoff Run369 m
- Unpaved / Short FieldYes
◇Cargo & Capacity7MOD.7
- Maximum Payload8,000 kg
- Cargo Hold Volume33
- Troop Capacity45
- Paratroop Capacity45
- Vehicle Capacity45 troops or 2 pallets
- Pallet Positions2
- Rear Loading RampYes
◆Aerial Refueling2MOD.2
▤Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5
- Length22 m
- Wingspan29 m
- Height7.9 m
- Empty Weight13,500 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight18,000 kg
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built122
- Operators22
- Variants9
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2022
- Production Start1965
- Production End1986
- Operational StatusRetired from most operators, limited use in Canada
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1965Production started
- 1978Sale: Mauritania (4 units)
- 1986Production ended
61
years in service
21
years in production
122
units produced
17
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 5 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
DE HAVILLAND CANADA DHC-5 BUFFALO · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
De Havilland Canada DHC-5 BuffaloSALES1records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 |  Mauritania | 4 | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
06 / MASS Score
TACTICAL TRANSPORTS RANKING Tactical Transports · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
50TACTICAL TRANSPORTS9COLD WAR · TACTICAL TRANSPORTS26CANADA · ALL WEAPONS95PERFORMANCE/PRICE · TACTICAL TRANSPORTS
ⓘ Rankings are within theTactical Transportscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
A hinged rear fuselage section on military transport aircraft that lowers to enable direct loading/unloading of cargo or vehicles from the aircraft's tail.
Ability to take off and land on unpaved or short runways.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources