The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is a versatile, rugged aircraft designed for bush operations from unprepared airfields.. Capable of short take-offs and landings, it can be outfitted with wheels, skis, or floats, depending on the environment. Initially used for passenger and cargo transport, the Beaver became popular in agriculture for crop-dusting. It was also adopted by the US Air Force Auxiliary for search and rescue missions.
The aircraft’s design prioritized operator requirements over traditional aerodynamic or financial considerations. Pilots emphasized the need for extra power and excellent STOL performance. Additionally, full-size cargo doors on both sides were incorporated to improve accessibility.
The prototype (CF-FHB-X) was flown for the first time by Russ Brannock on 16th August 1947 at the de Havilland factory at Downsview, Ontario and some 1,631 were eventually built in Canada, together with a single Beaver 2, powered by a 550hp Leonides 502/4 engine. Initial sales were very slow at around 3 aircraft per month, until an order for 970 DHC-2's was placed by the US Army, with whom it operated as the L-20, or U-6A.
The Beaver was widely exported, serving with the British Army Air Corps as the Beaver AL. Mk 1 and with the military services of around 31 other nations in addition to the US, UK and Canada. One of the most famous exploits came in 1958, when a New Zealand Air Force Beaver played a supporting role in Sir Edmund Hilary's famous expedition to the South Pole.
Production ended in 1967, but Viking Air later obtained the type certificate, allowing for the continued manufacturing of new Beavers. Many of the original aircraft remain in use, particularly in Canada and Alaska, and a number are now used in leisure activities, including skydiving and aerial filming.