Boeing engine started in 1943 and Boeing's gas turbines were designated models 502 (T50), 520 (T60), 540, 551 and 553. Boeing built 2,461 engines before production ceased in April 1968. Many applications of the Boeing gas turbine engines were considered to be firsts, including the first turbine-powered helicopter and boat. Vertol Aircraft Corporation was acquired by Boeing in 1960, and was reorganized as Boeing's Vertol division. The twin-rotor CH-47 Chinook, produced by Vertol, took its first flight in 1961. This heavy-lift helicopter remains a work-horse vehicle to the present day. In 1964, Vertol also began production of the CH-46 Sea Knight.
Birdman Chinook 2008, described the Chinook Plus 2 with the HKS 700E engine: The factory claims that a first time builder can complete the Chinook Plus 2 in 220 hours of labour. The rights to the Chinook Plus 2 were sold to US company, the Aeroplane Manufactory in 2013, which put the design back into production in 2016. The Chinook WT-11 design won Reserve Grand Champion at AirVenture in 1983 and again in 1984. In August 1983 test pilot Dennis Maland flew a WT-11 with the standard Rotax 277 engine to a height of . In November 1984 Jack Hughes flew a