The DHC-3 Otter Is A Part Of Canadian Aviation History
In December 1951, the first DHC-3 Otter flew out of the hangers of de Havilland Canada and into the annals of Canadian history.
Needing a bigger, more rugged aircraft for use in the Canadian wilderness, de Havilland began working of the Otter (originally called the "King Beaver") in January, 1951 and had the first plane in the air by the end of the year.
The 1950s were a time of arctic exploration and the previous wilderness plane, the Beaver, did not have the capacity for the longer-haul flights.
The Otter's configuration was generally the same as the Beaver but was designed with a larger fuselage, greater wing-span and was heavier.
It also had the capability to be fitted with floats and skis which allowed for access into the lakes and ice fields of Northern Canada.
As the Otter went into full production in 1952, the United States Army purchased the planes and used them for their own exploration needs.
While in the service, the Otter was used in mapping and survey missions in the Americas to the south and the Alaskan frontier.
It was even flown over to northern Africa and used to map out terrain that was unbearable for ground travel.
As a transport plane it was highly valued and the US Army again used the Otter extensively in the Vietnam War.
184 aircraft were delivered to the US military under the name U-1A Otter and these planes saw combat action for ten years in Vietnam.
The Canadian army also used the Otters to drop supplies on maneuvers and continued in service until helicopters replaced this function.
It was a valuable search and rescue plane as well due to its ability to remain in the air longer and to get into harder to reach areas.
In the end of its military service it was operated by the Primary Air Reserve in Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg, with approximately 10 aircraft at each base.
After the Canadian government was finished with it, the Otter went primarily into private use where it remains today.
Primarily the Otter is a "bush plane," meaning that it is sturdy and reliable in the wilderness where there may be little contact from radio towers and runways.
The Pratt & Whitney engine in the Otter was designed for low prop revolutions meaning that the plane flew at a lower airspeed.
This give it the ability to battle tougher conditions like wind and snow and also gave the pilot more control on difficult landings.
The more powerful turbo prop engine installed later as engine technology advanced gave the Otter more power on takeoff which increased the safety of the plane.
The success of the single engine Otter gave rise to a twin-engine plane that featured two of the Pratt & Whitney engines and made the Otter quicker and better on a shorter runway.
It is a STOL (short take off and landing) aircraft that makes it ideal for runways that have been carved out of the forests or the smaller lakes where most planes the size of the Otter would have no chance of landing in.
The Otter typically can seat eight people comfortably and still have room for equipment.
The massive floats installed on some of the amphibious planes add extra space for northern excursions and are necessary to hold up the considerable weight of the Otter.
Still in use today and still a sought after plane for those who like to explore the fishing lakes inaccessible by car, the DHC-3 Otter has been the reliable aircraft that is a proud part of Canadian aviation history.
Needing a bigger, more rugged aircraft for use in the Canadian wilderness, de Havilland began working of the Otter (originally called the "King Beaver") in January, 1951 and had the first plane in the air by the end of the year.
The 1950s were a time of arctic exploration and the previous wilderness plane, the Beaver, did not have the capacity for the longer-haul flights.
The Otter's configuration was generally the same as the Beaver but was designed with a larger fuselage, greater wing-span and was heavier.
It also had the capability to be fitted with floats and skis which allowed for access into the lakes and ice fields of Northern Canada.
As the Otter went into full production in 1952, the United States Army purchased the planes and used them for their own exploration needs.
While in the service, the Otter was used in mapping and survey missions in the Americas to the south and the Alaskan frontier.
It was even flown over to northern Africa and used to map out terrain that was unbearable for ground travel.
As a transport plane it was highly valued and the US Army again used the Otter extensively in the Vietnam War.
184 aircraft were delivered to the US military under the name U-1A Otter and these planes saw combat action for ten years in Vietnam.
The Canadian army also used the Otters to drop supplies on maneuvers and continued in service until helicopters replaced this function.
It was a valuable search and rescue plane as well due to its ability to remain in the air longer and to get into harder to reach areas.
In the end of its military service it was operated by the Primary Air Reserve in Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg, with approximately 10 aircraft at each base.
After the Canadian government was finished with it, the Otter went primarily into private use where it remains today.
Primarily the Otter is a "bush plane," meaning that it is sturdy and reliable in the wilderness where there may be little contact from radio towers and runways.
The Pratt & Whitney engine in the Otter was designed for low prop revolutions meaning that the plane flew at a lower airspeed.
This give it the ability to battle tougher conditions like wind and snow and also gave the pilot more control on difficult landings.
The more powerful turbo prop engine installed later as engine technology advanced gave the Otter more power on takeoff which increased the safety of the plane.
The success of the single engine Otter gave rise to a twin-engine plane that featured two of the Pratt & Whitney engines and made the Otter quicker and better on a shorter runway.
It is a STOL (short take off and landing) aircraft that makes it ideal for runways that have been carved out of the forests or the smaller lakes where most planes the size of the Otter would have no chance of landing in.
The Otter typically can seat eight people comfortably and still have room for equipment.
The massive floats installed on some of the amphibious planes add extra space for northern excursions and are necessary to hold up the considerable weight of the Otter.
Still in use today and still a sought after plane for those who like to explore the fishing lakes inaccessible by car, the DHC-3 Otter has been the reliable aircraft that is a proud part of Canadian aviation history.
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