Stock Photo - May 05, 1968 - 31st May, 1968 De Havilland Canada hands over first Buffalo to the Brazilian Air Force ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú Today, at the Downsview, Ontario plant of The de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, Mr. W. B. Boggs, President of the Company, presented the Log Book for the first Buffalo of a Brazilian Air Force contract for 12, to Colonel Paulo V. Salema, Brazilian Air Attache to Canada. Among some 600 guests and Company officials attending the ceremony were; Her Excellency Dora Alencar de Vasconcellos, Ambassador of Brazil to Canada, a number of Brazilian Air Force officers and senior representatives of the Canadian Departments of Trade and Commerce and National Defence. Tbe Brazilian contract, signed in March, 1967, Is valued in excess of 22 million dollars. It represents a major Item on the export listing of Canadian. manufactured products. The DHC-5 Buffalo, powered by twin General Electric T64-820-1 turbines, each delivering 3,060 equivalent shaft horsepower, Is a short-field tactical transport aircraft grossing 41,000 lbs at take-off. It has a payload capacity of 13,000 lbs, carries up to 41 passengers and will accommodate a variety of wheeled and tracked vehicles. The Brazilian purchase of the Buffalo Is In line with an equipment standardization program intended to reduce the variation of aircraft types from the six or seven now in use to two; the Lockheed C130 and the Buffalo. The Buffalo will provide air support to scattered communities in the Amazon Basin and in other rural and remote areas, transporting supplies, mail and medical aid and carrying out evacuation missions In emergencies. In Its military role, the Buffalo will support Army troop training exercises; Including paratroop deployment and supply drops. It will also be used to train transport aircraft crews and ground support personnel. The Buffalo is now in service with the Canadian Armed Forces, with 9 from an order for 15 delivered to date. OPS: Brazilian Ambassador to Canada, Dora Alencar De Vasconcellos with Braz. Air Force crew ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú 3rd from left: Braz. Brigadier Estrela (Credit Image: © Keystone Press Agency/Keystone USA via ZUMAPRESS.com)