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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter

Hours and Location

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Monday
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Admission
Browse all Visitor Information for Canada Aviation and Space Museum
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De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter

De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter

Highlights:

  • A single-engine utility aircraft with the same capabilities of the DHC Beaver but twice the size, hence its original name, "King Beaver"
  • Designed in 1950
  • Used for search-and-rescue operations and to develop water-bombing techniques for fighting forest fires
  • Flown during the first overland crossing of Antarctica, in 1957
  • One of several de Havilland Canada aircraft named after North American wildlife
  • A short-take-off-and-landing (STOL) aircraft (requires minimal space to take off and touch down on land, water or snow), along with de Havilland Canada's Beaver, Caribou, Buffalo, Twin Otter and Dash 7
  • Predecessor of the Twin Otter, a larger aircraft with a greater load-carrying capacity and two engines
  • First flight was on December 12th, 1951

Image Gallery:

CASM-11515

CASM-11515

CASM-12066

CASM-12066

CASM-11505

CASM-11505

History:

The Otter had good load-carrying ability, great reliability, and excellent short take-off-and-landing capabilities, all of which recommended it for both civil and military use. The US Army and US Navy used Otters and the RCAF operated 69, some of which served overseas on United Nations duties. Otters also served with nine other air forces, and civilian versions flew in 36 countries. About 450 were made.

The Otter was built in response to a need for an aircraft like the Beaver, but twice as large. Otters were too large and expensive for small operators, but found favour with larger organizations. Otters were used to develop the water-bombing techniques so common today.

Current Location:

Reserve Hangar, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Transfer from the Canadian Armed Forces

This Otter was built in 1960 and purchased by the RCAF soon after. It served with reserve squadrons and two search-and-rescue units, one in Alberta and the other in Montreal, before the type was retired in 1982. It was transferred to the Museum in 1983, having been refinished in RCAF Air Transport Command markings.

Technical Information:

Wing Span 17.7 m (58 ft)
Length 12.8 m (41 ft 10 in)
Height 4 m (13 ft)
Weight, Empty 2,398 kg (5,287 lb)
Weight, Gross 3,628 kg (8,000 lb)
Cruising Speed 222 km/h (138 mph)
Max Speed 258 km/h (160 mph)
Rate of Climb 305 m (1,000 ft) /min
Service Ceiling 5,730 m (18,500 ft)
Range 1,545 km (960 mi)
Power Plant one Pratt & Whitney S1H1-G Wasp, 600 hp, radial engine

De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter plan

AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
1983.0654
Manufacturer
de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd.
Manufacturer Location
Canada
Manufacture Date
1960
Acquisition Date
1983
Registration Number
9408 (RCAF)
  • View all the collection highlights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
  • View other collection highlights related to Aviation

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About Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
Read more about the museum

Contact Us

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa ON K1K 2X5
Canada

613-991-3044
1-866-442-4416
contact@IngeniumCanada.org
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Hours
    • Admission
    • Location and Directions
    • Accessibility
    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Online Resources for Science at Home
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Flights and Simulations
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
    • Birthday Parties
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
      • Ingenium APIs
      • Open Data
      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • The Legacy Series
    • Let's Talk Energy