History: The first of deHavilland Canada's "bushplanes," the DHC-2 Beaver was developed in 1947 as a rugged, highly-versatile aerial truck which could take off and land almost anywhere, carry a large load, and be very reliable. It succeeded in all these areas in the civilian sector, so it was almost inevitable that, in 1951, the Beaver would be selected by the US Air Force and Army as a new liaison aircraft. In the nine years that followed, 968 L-20As were delivered to the armed forces, most going to the Army. They served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, hauling freight and personnel around the battlefields, mapping enemy troop positions, leading search/rescue missions, and relaying radio traffic, among other missions.

In 1962, the L-20 was re-designated the U-6A, and many remaining examples remained in service well into the 1970s. Beavers were also purchased and used by the military services of several other nations, including Britain, Chile and Columbia. Civilian Beavers have served in over 50 countries, and many still continue to fly all around the world, with a small number restored and flown as warbirds.

Nicknames: Unknown

Specifications :
        Engines: One 450-hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN Wasp Junior radial piston engine.
        Weight: Empty 2,850 lbs., Max Takeoff 5,100 lbs.
        Wing Span: 48ft. 0in.
        Length: 30ft. 4in.
        Height: 9ft. 0in.
        Performance:
            Maximum Speed: 140 mph
            Cruise Speed: 110 mph
            Range: 770 miles
        Armament: None.

Number Built:  968 military variants (total Beaver production 1,691).

Number Still Airworthy: At least 17 Beavers registered as L-20s or U-6As are still flying, and an unknown but much larger number of civilian Beavers are still airworthy around the world.

Links:   
Harbour Air Seaplanes, Vancouver and Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Wipaire's Modifications for deHavilland Beavers
"Beaver Checkout: Flying an Arctic Icon in Florida." AOPA article, June 2013.
Beaver Flight and Maintenance Manuals on CD
Bush-Planes.com Beaver Page
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre
deHavilland DHC-2 Flight Manual [.PDF file]
deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver Site -- Neil Aird's tribute to the Beaver.
Great Lakes Aero Products -- Beaver windshields and windows.
Kenmore Air -- Chartered flights in the Northwest USA and Canada. Also has Beaver parts, service and instruction.
Northwest Seaplanes -- Operators of Beavers in Canada and the Pacific Northwest USA.
"The Rebirth of N2297N"
Taquan Air, Ketchikan, Alaska
Western Canada Aviation Museum Beaver Page

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