Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms Space By Flag By Year By Tag

de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver

de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver History

Introduced in 1948, the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver became a worldwide hit, with over 35 operators using the model and producing it, reaching an impressive 1,657 units after World War II. The aircraft was produced from 1947 to 1967, and the successful DHC-2 also laid the foundation for the similar DHC-3 "Otter" series detailed elsewhere on this site.

While production of the DHC-2 has ended, the aircraft production line is still in service globally today (2016) and shows no signs of ending anytime soon.

The DHC-2 is designed around a user-centric platform with inherent STOL (short take-off and landing) capability. This means a lightweight overall design with good performance, derived from a single engine and shoulder-mounted wing structure to maximize lift and agility.

The first flight of the prototype was on August 16, 1947, and it was launched into service in 1948.

The origins of DHC-2 are years after the end of World War II (1945). The world aircraft market has undergone a dramatic shift from military platforms to civilian and de Havilland (the famous wartime twin-engine DH manufacturer) type. 98 "Mosquito" series - a close second.

The focus of the research is to provide "Busch" pilots with a new type of aircraft - one with a robust, robust and reliable design. Due to the variety of environments in which the new aircraft may operate, seaplanes and wheeled landing gear were developed to meet customer requirements. Large side doors mounted on both sides of the fuselage are another notable requirement for jungle pilots.

The engine of choice became Pratt & Whitney Canada "Wasp Junior" 450 hp radial engines - a relic of Canada's war effort. Design work began in 1946.

DHC-2 was not an immediate commercial success. Slowly but surely, his skills became well known in certain flying circles. The DHC-2's export profile did not increase significantly until its primary support was selected by the U.S. Army as the next universal transport. The U.S.

Army used the aircraft to replace an aging inventory of Cessna aircraft in the same transport role.

When complete, the DHC-2 requires only one pilot to operate. The passenger section can carry up to 6 people or 2,100 pounds of cargo, as needed. The main engine became a Pratt & Whitney R-985 "Wasp Junior" radial engine with 450 horsepower, helping to reach speeds of nearly 160 mph (cruising near 145 mph).

It has a range of 455 miles and a stated service cap of 18,000 feet. Climb rate is 1,020 feet per minute available.

Since its introduction, the DHC-2 has spawned several variants - the "Beaver I" was the original transport model and entered service with the British Army as the "Beaver AL Mk 1". The U.S. Army first operated them under the designation "C-127" and then under the designation "L-20". These were tested as "YL-20".

Another variant that emerged in the U.S. Army was the L-20A "Beaver", which was reorganized in 1962 to become the "U-6A". About 968 of these were procured, followed by the "L-20B" - six "U-6B" systems after 1962.

The "Beaver II" is a version with the Alvis "Leonides" radial piston engine. The "Super Beaver" Wipaire is a surplus type of U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force modified for a post-retirement role. As the name suggests, the Wipaire "Boss Turbo Beaver" gets a turbo mod.

The "Turbo-Beaver III" is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-6 or -20 series turboprop engine with 578 horsepower. Another military post-modification model is the Airtech Canada DHC-2, which is equipped with a 600 hp PZL-3S radial piston engine. The Volpar 4000 was equipped with an AiResearch TPE331-2U-203 turboprop engine, driving a three-bladed propeller, and received an all-new empennage.

The Viking DHC-2T "Turbo Beaver" is a model completed by Viking Air, modified to fit a 680 hp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 series turboprop engine.

The DHC-2 series has been used by military and civilian groups around the world - from Argentina and Australia to Yugoslavia and Zambia.