View source for De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver

{{Short description|Single engine STOL aircraft}}
{{redirect|DHC-2|the unbuilt DHC-2 Chipmunk variant|de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=March 2023}}
{{lowercase title|de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = DHC-2 Beaver
 |image = File:VH-IDO De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Airwaves Gold Coast (8402101541).jpg
 |caption = A de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 amphibious [[floatplane]] 
 |type = [[STOL]] utility transport
 |national_origin= Canada
 |manufacturer = [[de Havilland Canada (1928–1986)|de Havilland Canada]]
 |designer =
 |first_flight = 16 August 1947<ref name = "bae heri"/>
 |introduction = 1948
 |primary_user = regional and remote air carriers
 |more_users = [[United States Army]]<br />[[Civil Air Patrol]]
 |produced = 1947–1967
 |number_built = 1,657<ref name = "bae heri"/>
 |unit cost =
 |developed_into = [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter]]
 |status = In service
}}

The '''de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver''' is a single-engined high-wing [[Propeller (aircraft)|propeller]]-driven [[STOL|short takeoff and landing]] (STOL) aircraft developed and manufactured by [[de Havilland Canada (1928–1986)|de Havilland Canada]]. It has been primarily operated as a [[bush plane]] and has been used for a wide variety of utility roles, such as cargo and passenger hauling, [[aerial application]] ([[crop dusting]] and [[aerial topdressing]]), and [[civil aviation]] duties.

Shortly after the end of the [[Second World War]], de Havilland Canada decided to orient itself towards civilian operators. Based on feedback from pilots, the company decided that the envisioned aircraft should have excellent STOL performance, all-metal construction, and accommodate many features sought by the operators of bush planes. On 16 August 1947, the [[maiden flight]] of the aircraft, which had received the designation ''DHC-2 Beaver'', took place. In April 1948, the first production aircraft was delivered to the [[Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry|Ontario Department of Lands and Forests]]. A [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] (RNZAF) Beaver played a supporting role in [[Edmund Hillary|Sir Edmund Hillary]]'s famous 1958 [[Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition]] to the [[South Pole]].

In addition to its use in civilian operations, the Beaver has been widely adopted by armed forces as a [[utility aircraft]]. The [[United States Army]] purchased several hundred aircraft; nine DHC-2s are still in service with the [[Civil Air Patrol|U.S. Air Force Auxiliary (Civil Air Patrol)]] for search and rescue. By 1967, over 1,600 Beavers had been constructed prior to the closure of the original assembly line.<ref name="CASM">{{cite web |title=de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver |url=http://casmuseum.techno-science.ca/en/collection-research/artifact-de-havilland-beaver.php |website=Canada Aviation and Space Museum |publisher=Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation |access-date=16 January 2017 |archive-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609064520/http://casmuseum.techno-science.ca/en/collection-research/artifact-de-havilland-beaver.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> Various aircraft have been remanufactured and upgraded. Additionally, various proposals have been made to return the Beaver to production.

The Beaver's versatility and performance led to it being the preferred aircraft of [[bush pilots]] servicing remote locations in the Canadian north, and it is considered by aviation historians to be a Canadian icon.<ref>{{cite web |title=de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, C-FMAA |date=25 June 2011 |website=[[Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada]] |url=http://royalaviationmuseum.com/de-havilland-dhc-2-beaver/ |access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref> In 1987, the Canadian ''Engineering Centennial Board'' named the DHC-2 one of the top ten Canadian engineering achievements of the 20th century. The [[Royal Canadian Mint]] honoured the aircraft on a special edition [[Quarter (Canadian coin)|Canadian quarter]] in November 1999,<ref>{{cite web |title=25 Cents - Elizabeth II November |website=Numisma |url=https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces341.html |access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref> and on a 50-cent commemorative gold coin in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=The de Havilland Beaver and the birth of the bush plane |first=Robin |last=Rowland |website=CBC News |date=24 February 2009 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/the-de-havilland-beaver-and-the-birth-of-the-bush-plane-1.857421 |access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref> Large numbers continue to be operational into the 21st century, while the tooling and [[type certificate]] for the Beaver have been acquired by [[Viking Air]], later reorganized as [[De Havilland Canada]], who continue to produce replacement components and refurbish examples of the type.

==Development==
===Origins===
[[File:De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver (N130WA).jpg|thumb|A Beaver, operated by Freebird Wilderness Tours, at Airport Niederrhein in Germany]]
[[File:De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver N72355 Kenmore 2 crop.jpg|thumb|DHC-2 on floats, operated by Kenmore Air]]
[[File:De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, Ketchikan, Alaska, Estados Unidos, 2017-08-16, DD 17-19 HDR.jpg|thumb|Instrument panel of a DHC-2 – note the single pilot's yoke, which can be handed over to the co-pilot in flight.]]
[[File:deHavillandDHC2Mk3TurboBeavers03.JPG|thumb|[[Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario)|Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources]] deHavilland DHC-2 Mk 3 Turbo Beavers on amphibious floats in [[Dryden, Ontario]] in 1995]]
[[File:DHC-2T Beaver C6-BIQ Bartow 30.03.11R 1647 edited-2.jpg|thumb|Wipaire Boss Beaver conversion with [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6|PT6]] turbine engine, retaining original fin shape and fitted with floats, at Bartow Municipal Airport, Florida in 2011]]

Following the end of the [[World War II|Second World War]], de Havilland Canada's management team, recognising that there would be a corresponding downturn in military orders in the immediate post-war climate, decided to focus the company's energies upon finding work within the civilian sector. The company had recently hired [[Punch Dickins]] as Director of Sales; Dickins carried out an extensive market research program in the form of requesting and collecting feedback from other pilots, to understand what they needed in a new aircraft. It was on the basis of this information from the prospective operators themselves, as opposed to aerodynamic research or fiscal data, that the future aircraft has its origins.<ref name = "bae heri"/><ref name = "p&p 2007"/>

In response, almost without exception, these pilots specified their desire for tremendous [[extra power]] <!--more than what?--> and STOL performance, in a design that could be easily fitted with [[wheel]]s, [[ski]]s or [[Seaplane|floats]]. When de Havilland engineers noted this would result in poor cruise performance, one pilot replied, "You only have to be faster than a dog sled to be a winner".<ref name = "bae heri"/> Other suggestions that were seemingly mundane, but important in the bush plane world, included the installation of full-sized doors on both sides of the aircraft, which meant that it could be readily loaded no matter which side of a dock it tied up on; the doors were also made wide enough to allow for a 44 [[Imperial gallon]] [[Drum (container)|drum]] to be rolled up into the aircraft.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}

On 17 September 1946, de Havilland officially put together a design team consisting of Fred Buller, Dick Hiscocks, Jim Houston and Wsiewołod Jakimiuk, led by Phil Garratt.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> The new aircraft was designed to be all-metal (unlike older designs, like the famous [[Noorduyn Norseman]]), using "steel from the engine to the firewall, heavy aluminium truss frames with panels and doors throughout the front seat area, lighter trusses toward the rear and all monocoque construction aft". At the time, de Havilland Canada was still a British-owned company and there were plans to fit the evolving design with the British [[de Havilland Gipsy]] engine.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> As a result of its comparatively limited power, the wing area was greatly increased in order to maintain STOL performance. When [[Pratt & Whitney Canada]] offered to supply war-surplus {{convert|450|hp|abbr=on}} [[Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior|Wasp Junior]] [[radial engine]]s at a low price, the aircraft ended up with extra power as well as the original long wing. The result was unbeatable STOL performance for an aircraft of its size.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}

In line with the convention for aircraft produced by de Havilland Canada being named after animals, it was decided that the new bush plane would be named after the [[beaver]], which was known for its hard-working nature. On 16 August 1947, the [[maiden flight]] of the DHC-2 Beaver was in [[Downsview, Toronto|Downsview, Ontario]]; it was flown by Second World War flying ace [[Russell Bannock]].<ref name = "bae heri"/><ref name = "p&p 2007"/> After completing its flight test programme, the prototype received several adjustments and improvements in order for it to serve as a flying demonstration model ready for the sales circuit. The prototype was ultimately sold to Central British Columbia Airways, as a routine day-to-day working air-taxi airplane and continued to fly as such with various air-taxi operators until 1980, after which it was retired and preserved.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> In April 1948, the first production aircraft was delivered to the [[Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry|Ontario Department of Lands and Forests]], who had been a design partner.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}

===Production===
Initial sales were slow, perhaps two or three a month but as the plane was demonstrated sales started to improve. A key event in the Beaver's history occurred the next year when the US Army commenced its search for a new utility aircraft to replace their fleet of Cessnas. The competition quickly boiled down to the Beaver and the [[Cessna 195]]. The Beaver won and during the Korean War, the US Army ordered 970, more than half of the overall production run for the type.<ref name = "bae heri"/>

Soon, the Beaver grew to become an export success as orders for the type increased from customers around the world. Individual military services of more than 30 different nations would ultimately be included amongst its operators.<ref name = "bae heri"/> In later life, as the type was gradually phased out of military service, many examples underwent conversion work so that they could continue to be operated as civilian aircraft instead.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> During the 1960s, de Havilland developed an improved model of the Beaver, the Mk.III Turbo Beaver, which was equipped with a [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6]] [[turboprop]] engine. A total of sixty aircraft were built during the late 1960s.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> In 1967, when production of the type finally ceased, a total of 1,657 DHC-2 Beavers had been constructed.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}

The Beaver was designed for flight in rugged and remote areas of the world. Its STOL capability made it ideal for areas normally only accessible by canoe or foot. Because the aircraft often flies to remote locations and in cold climates, its oil reservoir filler is located in the cockpit and oil can be filled in flight. A series of upgrades to the basic design were incorporated. One major customer introduced the use of flat steps replacing the earlier tubes, a feature now almost universal. In 1987, the Canadian ''Engineering Centennial Board'' named the DHC-2 as one of the top ten Canadian engineering achievements of the 20th century.<ref>Cooper, Russ. "Winged Workhorse." ''Canadian Geographic'' magazine, July/August 2007, p. 26.</ref>

===1995 to 2024 ===
[[File:Beaver floatplane.jpg|thumb|A Beaver on floats]]
[[File:Seair Seaplanes.jpg|thumb|DHC-2 MK. III Turbo Beaver]]

At one point in its production, plans to [[Licensed production|license-build]] the Beaver in New Zealand were proposed. The remaining tooling was purchased by [[Viking Air]] of [[Victoria, British Columbia]], Canada, which manufactures replacement parts for most of the early de Havilland line. The company markets and sells the remanufactured DHC-2T Turbo Beaver, an improved variant of the aircraft which has been upgraded with a {{convert|680|shp|kW|abbr=on}} PT6A-34, which enables an increased maximum gross takeoff weight of {{convert|6000|lb|kg|abbr=on}} and the carriage of up to {{convert|2450|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of freight, a roughly 25 per cent increase in usable payload.<ref name="vik 2t cont">[http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=270 "DHC-2T Turbo Beaver: The Legend Continues."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717002319/http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=270 |date=17 July 2012 }} ''vikingair.com''. Retrieved: 20 November 2009.</ref> By August 1995, Viking completed its 30th Turbo Beaver conversion.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/beavering-away-24634/ "Beavering Away."] ''Flight International'', 23 August 1995.</ref> The firm has also developed and marketed other improvements for the type, such as an advanced wing and modified floats.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/advanced-wing-for-the-beaver-wins-approval-14802/ "Advanced wing for the Beaver wins approval."] ''Flight International'', 27 August 1997.</ref><ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/beaver-revival-29185/ "Beaver revival."] ''Flight International'', 12 November 1997.</ref> Other manufacturers have also offered aftermarket upgrades and modifications for the type, such as re-engining programmes by [[Orenda Engines|Orenda Aerospace]] and [[Wipaire]].<ref>Graham, Warwick. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/orenda-geared-for-certification-119753/ "Orenda geared for certification."] ''Flight International'', 29 August 2000.</ref><ref name = "p&p 2007"/>

On 24 February 2006, Viking purchased the [[type certificate]]s from [[Bombardier Aerospace]] for all the original de Havilland designs, including the Beaver.<ref>[http://aiabc.com/artman/publish/printer_47.shtml "Viking acquires de Havilland type certificates."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060824095652/http://aiabc.com/artman/publish/printer_47.shtml |date=24 August 2006 }} ''Viking'' Press Release, 24 February 2006.</ref><ref name = "bae heri"/> The ownership of the certificates gives the company the exclusive right to manufacture new aircraft. Viking has stated its interest in the potential restart of production of the Beaver, and commented that, dependent upon market demand, the firm may offer two separate models of the Beaver, one intended to be close to the design of the original batch, and another incorporating various improvements such as new avionics, engines, and doors, as well as likely being stretched to provide increased internal space.<ref>Sarsfield, Kate. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/viking-restarts-twin-otter-production-212989/ "Viking restarts Twin Otter production."] ''Flight International'', 2 April 2007.</ref><ref>Sarsfield, Kate. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/beaver-to-bring-back-bush-aircraft-163951/ "Beaver to bring back bush aircraft."] ''Flight International'', 8 April 2003.</ref>

Stolairus Aviation of Kelowna, British Columbia has developed several modifications for the DHC-2 including a STOL Kit which modifies the wing with a contoured leading edge, flap-gap seals, wing fences and drooped wingtips for increased performance. Stolairus has also developed a Wing Angle Kit which changes the incidence of the wing.<ref>[http://www.stolairus.com "DHC-2 Beaver."] ''Stolairus'', Retrieved: 2 February 2012.</ref>

Advanced Wing Technologies of Vancouver, British Columbia has developed and certified a new wing for the DHC-2. The FAA Supplemental Type Certificate also raises the aircraft's gross weight to {{convert|6000|lbs|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/D5F1152A822A631985256CC1007E0191?OpenDocument "FAA STC SA00857NY Installation of a new Advanced Wing Technologies (AWT) wing and increase in gross weight to 6000 pounds."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703212155/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/D5F1152A822A631985256CC1007E0191?OpenDocument |date=3 July 2017 }} ''[[Federal Aviation Administration]]'', Retrieved: 3 July 2011.</ref> So far, at least two Beavers have been modified in such a manner.<ref>[http://www.dhc-2.com/id251.htm "Beaver Tails c/n 31."] ''dhc-2.com.'' Retrieved: 3 July 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.dhc-2.com/id245.htm "Beaver Tails c/n 126.:"] ''dhc-2.com.'' Retrieved: 3 July 2011.</ref>

In September 2017 the [[Transportation Safety Board of Canada]] recommended [[stall warning]] devices be mandated for commercial Beaver operators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/communiques/aviation/2017/a15q0120-20170907.asp|title= Aviation news release|date=7 September 2017|author=Transportation Safety Board of Canada|website=tsb.gc.ca|access-date=2 January 2018|author-link= Transportation Safety Board of Canada}}</ref>

[[File:Harbour air ebeaver seaplane in Ganges Harbour.jpg|thumb|The [[Harbour Air]] e-Beaver]]

In March 2019, [[Harbour Air]] announced plans to convert a DHC-2 Beaver to an [[electric aircraft]] for development and prototype testing, with aspirational plans to eventually to convert its entire fleet.<ref name="Electrify">{{cite news |last1=Bell |first1=Jeff |title=Harbour Air to add zero-emission electric plane; aims to convert whole fleet |url=https://vancouversun.com/business/energy/harbour-air-to-add-zero-emission-electric-plane-aims-to-convert-whole-fleet |access-date=26 March 2019 |work=[[Vancouver Sun]] |date=26 March 2019}}</ref> The first test flight of the aircraft took place in Vancouver in December 2019.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50738983|title='World's first' fully-electric commercial flight takes off|date=11 December 2019|access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="Drinkwater">{{cite web|url = https://copanational.org/en/2019/12/12/harbour-airs-e-beaver/|title = Harbour Air's e-Beaver|access-date = 14 December 2019|last = Drinkwater|first =Steve |work =[[COPA Flight]] |date = 10 December 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191214183605/https://copanational.org/en/2019/12/12/harbour-airs-e-beaver/|archive-date =14 December 2019 }}</ref> By 2024, Harbor Air is anticipating the [[MagniX]] motor/battery set being airworthiness certified by [[Transport Canada]] by the end of 2026, with a plan to get the [[eBeaver]] type-certified by the end of 2027 and able to enter commercial service.<ref name=MunroLive20240923>{{cite AV media |title=The Harbour Air eBeaver Electric Seaplane |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbuHUSeWWFw |publisher=Munro Live |via=YouTube |date=23 September 2024 |access-date=27 September 2024 }}</ref>

==Design==
The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is a single-engined high-wing [[Propeller (aircraft)|propeller]]-driven STOL aircraft, principally operated as a [[bush plane]] and other utility roles, such as cargo and passenger hauling, [[aerial application]] ([[crop dusting]] and [[aerial topdressing]]), and general [[civil aviation]] purposes; aviation publication Plane & Pilot described the type as being "arguably the best bush plane ever built".<ref name = "p&p 2007">{{cite magazine |last=Vivon |first=Michael |title=Sixty years in the sky: de Havilland Beaver |magazine=Plane & Pilot |date=1 September 2007 |url=http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/de-havilland-beaver/#.WQW-R2KGOUl}}</ref> The Beaver was designed to operate in all seasons and the majority of weather conditions; a large proportion were also equipped with [[Float (nautical)|float]]s for [[buoyancy]] in water; it reportedly possesses favourable performance characteristics for a [[floatplane]]. As a result of its favourable characteristics as a hard working and productive aircraft, the Beaver has had a lengthy service life and many examples have been remanufactured or have otherwise received life extension modifications.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/>

The Beaver is typically powered by a single {{convert|450|hp|abbr=on}} [[Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior]] [[radial engine]].<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> In order to provide the necessary weight balance for optimal loading flexibility, the engine was mounted as far rearwards as possible, resulting in elements intruding into the cockpit space, such as the oil tank being positioned within the center console between the pilot and copilot's feet and the main fuel tank within the forward belly of the aircraft, which also improves accessibility for replenishment.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> Many Beavers have had wingtip tanks also installed; careful fuel management between the various fuel tanks is required throughout flights in order to maintain the aircraft's [[center of gravity]].<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> The remanufactured DHC-2T Turbo Beaver is equipped with a {{convert|680|shp|kW|abbr=on}} PT6A-34 turboprop engine.<ref name = "vik 2t cont"/>

The Beaver is functionally shaped in order to accommodate a useful and sizable payload, typically close to {{convert|2000|lb|abbr=on}}, even when equipped with floats.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> While the front doors are narrow, the aft doors are wider, having been designed to facilitate the loading of 45 imperial gallon barrels, either upright or on their sides. The Beaver is considered a 'working' aircraft, which was designed for vigorous use.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> In addition to cargo, passengers can also be carried; when appropriately fitted out, the Beaver Mk.I can accommodate up to seven passengers while the more spacious Beaver Mk.III can hold a maximum of 11. Various alterations have been approved, including alternative seating arrangements, enlarged cargo doors, larger windows and smaller [[Battery (electricity)|batteries]] have been approved for use.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/>

During takeoff, both the [[aileron]]s and [[Flap (aeronautics)|flap]]s are lowered, which is a relatively uncommon design approach but results in substantially elevated STOL performance.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> The flaps can be deployed to an extreme range, extending out at full to a 58-degree position; the flight manual notes that the full setting is recommended only for performing emergency landings. In the skies, the Beaver is relatively easy to handle, having been described as possessing light and comfortable controls. Effective application of the [[rudder]] is necessary to counteract adverse [[Aircraft principal axes#Vertical axis .28yaw.29|yaw]].<ref name = "p&p 2007"/> It should be flown with a relatively nose-low [[Aircraft principal axes#Transverse axis (pitch)|pitch]] attitude to maintain airspeed. It is very easy to land, even in moderately rough water.<ref name = "p&p 2007"/>

==Operational history==
[[File:Beaver - RIAT 2006 (2517508701).jpg|thumb|A British Army Beaver flying at RIAT 2006]]
Despite the fact that production ceased in 1967, hundreds of Beavers are still flying—many of them heavily modified to adapt to changes in technology and needs. [[Kenmore Air]] of [[Kenmore, Washington]], provides Beaver and Otter airframes with ''zero-hour'' [[Fatigue (material)|fatigue-life]] ratings, and owns dozens of [[supplemental type certificate]]s (STCs) for aircraft modifications. These modifications are so well known and desirable in the aviation community, rebuilt Beavers are often called "Kenmore Beavers" or listed as having "Kenmore mods" installed.<ref name="kenmore">[http://www.kenmoreair.com/parts/beaverRebuildProgram/rebuild.html "Beaver Rebuild Program."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419182557/http://www.kenmoreair.com/parts/beaverRebuildProgram/rebuild.html |date=19 April 2009 }} ''Kenmore Air'', 21 May 2007. Retrieved: 20 November 2009.</ref>[[File:600hpDH2.jpg|thumb|{{convert|600|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} PZL engine modification]]The original [[Pratt & Whitney R-985|Wasp Jr]] [[radial engine]] of the Beaver is long out of production, so repair parts are getting harder to find. Some aircraft conversion stations have addressed this problem by replacing the [[piston engine]] with a [[Turbopropeller|turboprop]] engine such as the [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6|PT6]]. The added power and lighter installed weight, together with greater availability of kerosene fuel instead of high-octane aviation gasoline, make this a desirable modification, but at a high cost.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}

The Beaver was deployed by the British [[Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)|Army Air Corps]] during [[the Troubles]], at least until 1979, for photo-reconnaissance missions. One of them was hit seven times by machine gun fire in South [[County Armagh]], near the [[Republic of Ireland – United Kingdom border|border with the Republic of Ireland]] in November 1979, while taking photos of an [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|IRA]] checkpoint. The border crossing where the action took place became known to the British Army as "Beaver Junction".<ref>Harnden 2000, pp. 172–173.</ref>

Operators of significant numbers of piston-Beavers in early 2008 include [[Air Saguenay]] and [[Harbour Air]] in Canada and [[Kenmore Air]] in the US.<ref>Pither 2008, pp. 57, 79, 382.</ref>

American actor [[Harrison Ford]] owns a DHC-2 Beaver; he is known for referring to it as being his favourite among his entire fleet of private aircraft.<ref name="Huffington21May08">[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/21/harrison-ford-discusses-p_n_102891.html "Harrison Ford Discusses Piloting His Beaver Into The Bush."] ''Huffington Post'', May 2008. Retrieved: 20 November 2009.</ref><ref name="bae heri" />[[File:RNZAFTransantarcticDHCBeaver.jpg|thumb|[[RNZAF]] Beaver that supported the [[Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition]]]]The [[Civil Air Patrol]] operated many of the DHC-2 Beaver, where it was commonly used for conducting [[search and rescue]] missions.<ref name = "bae heri"/> For some decades, the [[United States Navy]] has operated a pair of DHC-2s at the [[United States Naval Test Pilot School]], where they are used to instruct students in the evaluation of lateral-directional flying qualities and for the towing of [[Glider (sailplane)|gliders]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}

In recent years, growing numbers of the type have been used within the leisure industry, being used for pleasure flight and as lifting platforms for [[Parachuting|skydiving]] and aerial film activities.<ref name = "bae heri"/> The DHC-2 Beaver has been used by skydiving operators due to its good climb rate. When fitted with a roller door that can be opened in flight, it can quickly ferry eight skydivers to {{convert|13000|ft|m|abbr=on}}.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}

==Variants==
;{{visible anchor|Beaver I}}: Single-engined STOL utility transport aircraft.
;Beaver AL Mk 1: STOL utility transport aircraft for the [[British Army]].
;C-127: original designation for DHC-2 aircraft used by the U.S. military, redesignated L-20.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Jfw9AQAAIAAJ ''Aviation Week and Space Technology''.] Volume 54, 1951. p. 9.</ref>
;YL-20: Test and evaluation aircraft for the US military.
;L-20A Beaver: STOL utility transport aircraft for the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]], later redesignated '''U-6A''' in 1962, 968 built.
;L-20B Beaver: Basically similar to the L-20A, but with minor equipment changes. Six were sold to the US Army. Later redesignated '''U-6B''' in 1962.
;U-6A:US Army L-20A aircraft re-designated
;U-6B:US Army L-20B aircraft re-designated
;Beaver II: One aircraft was fitted with an [[Alvis Leonides]] radial piston engine.<ref name="JAWA66 p19"/><ref name = "bae heri"/>
;Wipaire Super Beaver: Conversion of surplus US Army and USAF L-20 Beavers.{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}}
;Wipaire Boss Turbo-Beaver: Turbo conversion fitted with PT-6 but retaining the original lower curved fin shape
;{{Visible anchor|Turbo-Beaver III}}: Powered by a 431&nbsp;kW (578 ehp) [[Pratt & Whitney PT6A]]-6 or -20 turboprop engine.
;Airtech Canada DHC-2/PZL-3S: After-market conversion by [[Airtech Canada]] in the 1980s, using current-production [[PZL-3]]S radial engines of 600&nbsp;hp (450&nbsp;kW).<ref>Lambert 1990, p. 18.</ref>
;Volpar Model 4000: A 1970s conversion by [[Volpar]], first flown in April 1972 with a modified nose fitted with an [[Garrett TPE331|AiResearch TPE331-2U-203]] turboprop with a three-bladed propeller. Other changes included a new fin and rudder.<ref name="Janes">Taylor 1973, p. 457.</ref>
;{{visible anchor|Viking DHC-2T}} ''Turbo Beaver'': Remanufactured Beavers by Viking Air, upgraded with a [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6|Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34]] {{convert|680|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} turboprop engine.<ref name="Viking2T">{{cite web |url = http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=270 |title = DHC-2 Turbo Beaver |access-date = 29 September 2012 |last = [[Viking Air]] |date = n.d. |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120717002319/http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=270 |archive-date = 17 July 2012 |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

==Operators==
===Civil===
The DHC-2 is popular with air charter companies, police forces and small air taxi operators as well as private individuals and companies. Both the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] and [[Finnish Border Guard]] operate the aircraft. Several small airline companies in British Columbia use Beavers on scheduled routes from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island as well as numerous nearby smaller islands. The largest of these airlines is [[Harbour Air]].

===Military operators===
[[File:DHC-2 Beaver matrícula P-03.jpg|thumb|Argentine Air Force Beaver in Antarctica]]
[[File:De Havilland Beaver DA-SC-99-04701.jpg|thumb|U.S. Army example]]
[[File:U-6A Beaver.jpg|thumb|U-6A Beaver at the National Museum of the United States Air Force]]
[[File:U6-Beaver.png|thumb|U-6A Beaver aircraft on display]]
[[File:DHC-2 Beaver OH-MVM in Vellamo Kotka Finland.jpg|thumb|DHC-2 Beaver OH-MVM in Maritime Centre Vellamo in Kotka, Finland]]
[[File:Military Museum, Sa'dabad Palace9.jpg|thumb|IIAF DHC-2 Beaver in [[Sa'dabad Complex|Saadabad Museum]] in Tehran, Iran]]

;{{ARG}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amilarg.com.ar/dhc-2.html|title=DHC-2 en Argentina|author=<!--Not stated-->|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
* [[Argentine Air Force]]
* [[Argentine Naval Aviation]]
;{{AUS}}
* [[Royal Australian Air Force]] – Five in service 1955–1964.
** Antarctic Flight RAAF
** No. 1 Air Trials Unit
;{{AUT}}
* [[Austrian Air Force]]
;{{flag|Burma}}
* [[Burma Air Force]]
;{{CAM}}
* [[Royal Cambodian Air Force]] – received three L-20s from the United States in the late 1950s.<ref name="ae37 p40">Grandolini ''Air Enthusiast'' Thirty-seven, p. 40.</ref>
;{{CHI}}
* [[Chilean Air Force]]
;{{TWN}}
* [[Republic of China Air Force]]
;{{COL}}
* [[Colombian Air Force]]
;{{CUB}}
* ''Fuezas Aéreas Ejército de Cuba'' (pre [[Cuban Revolution]]) operated at least eight.<ref name="hagp16">Hagedorn 1993, p. 16</ref>
* [[Cuban Air Force]] (post Cuban Revolution)<ref name="hagp27">Hagedorn 1993, p. 27</ref>
;{{DOM}}
* [[Dominican Air Force]]<ref name="hagp104">Hagedorn 1993, p. 104</ref>
;{{FIN}}
* [[Finnish Air Force]]
* [[Finnish Border Guard]]
;{{FRA}}
* [[French Air Force]]
;{{GHA}}
* [[Ghana Air Force]] - acquired 14 Beavers, in service 1960–1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dhc-2.com/current_cover_page.htm|title=Master Index Beaver DHC-2|first=Neil|last=Aird|website=www.dhc-2.com |access-date=8 November 2020}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=November 2020}}
;{{GRE}}
* [[Greek Air Force]]
* [[Greek Army]]
;{{HAI}}
*[[Haitian Air Corps|Haiti Air Corps]]<ref name="hagp134">Hagedorn 1993, p. 134</ref>
;{{IDN}}
*[[Indonesian Air Force]]<ref name="DHC-2 c/n95">{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 95 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn95.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>
*[[Indonesian Army]]<ref name="DHC-2 c/n95"/>
;{{flag|Pahlavi Iran}}
* [[Imperial Iranian Air Force]]
;{{KEN}}
* [[Kenya Air Force]] (in operation 1964–1983)
;{{flag|Laos|1952}}
* [[Royal Lao Air Force]]
;{{NLD}}
* [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]]
;{{NZL}}
* [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]
;{{OMN}}
* [[Royal Air Force of Oman]]
;{{flag|Panama}}
* [[Panamanian Public Forces]]<ref name="hagp120">Hagedorn 1993, p. 120</ref>
;{{PAR}}
* [[Paraguayan Air Force]] 4 U-6A donated by MAP in 1975
;{{PER}}
* [[Peruvian Air Force]]
;{{Flag|Philippines|1936}}
* [[Philippine Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1979/1979%20-%202887.html |title=Flight International World Air Forces 1979 |date=4 August 1979}}</ref>
* [[Philippine Navy]]- 3 Units De Havilland L-20 (U-6A) Beavers in 1960<ref>{{cite web | url=http://nag.navy.mil.ph/Aboutus.html#selection-245.107-245.139 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20131201153856/http://nag.navy.mil.ph/Aboutus.html#selection-245.107-245.139 | url-status=dead | archive-date=2013-12-01 | title=About us - NAG }}</ref>
;{{flagicon|South Arabia}} [[Federation of South Arabia]]
* Federation of South Arabian Air Force
;{{flag|South Korea}}
[[File:U-6 Beaver War Memorial of Korea.jpg|thumb|A U-6 Beaver on display at the [[War Memorial of Korea]]]]
* [[Republic of Korea Air Force]]
;{{flag|South Vietnam}}
* [[Republic of Vietnam Air Force]]
;{{flag|South Yemen}}
* South Yemen Air Force
;{{THA}}
* [[Royal Thai Army]]
;{{TUR}}
* [[Turkish Army]]
;{{UGA}}
;{{UK}}
* [[Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)|Army Air Corps]] - 46 x Beaver AL.1.<ref name="JAWA66 p19">Taylor 1966, p. 19.</ref>
;{{USA}}
* [[Civil Air Patrol]]
* [[United States Army]]
* [[United States Air Force]]<ref name="NMUSAF" />
* [[United States Navy]]<ref name="swan navy p482">Swanborough and Bowers 1976, p. 482.</ref>- 2 Units in 2024.<ref name="World Air Forces 2025">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=106507 |title= World Air Forces 2025 |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2024 |access-date= 10 December 2024}}</ref>
;{{YUG}}
* [[SFR Yugoslav Air Force]]
;{{ZAM}}
* [[Zambian Air Force]]

==Accidents and incidents==
{{as of|August 2023}}, there have been 351 incidents involving the DHC-2 and 739 deaths.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash-archives?field_crash_aircraft_target_id=De+Havilland+DHC-2+Beaver+%2829579%29|title=Accident Archives|website=Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives|access-date=3 August 2023}}</ref> A select few are listed:
* 22 November 1962 - Five United States Air Force missile crew members and the pilot died when their U-6A (DHC-2) crashed and burned near Nebraska City, NE. The plane, flying a routine support mission, had just delivered the relief crew to Atlas Site Number 4 of the 551st Strategic Missile Squadron and was returning the off-going crew to Lincoln AFB, NE. Crash of 52-6108 | Aviation in Nebraska (wordpress.com)
* 31 December 2017 – High-profile UK business leader [[Richard Cousins]], four members of his family and a Canadian pilot died in the [[2017 Sydney Seaplanes crash]].
[[File:N952DB DHC-2 Beaver Ketchikan 04-09-15 (21684674196).jpg|thumb|N952DB, the DHC-2 destroyed in the [[2019 Alaska mid-air collision]], seen in 2015]]
* 4 August 2018 - K2 Aviation, a DHC-2, [[2018 K2 Aviation DHC-2 Beaver crash|crashed]] into a mountain, killing all five aboard.
* 13 May 2019 – A Mountain Air Service DHC-2 and a [[Taquan Air]] de Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter [[2019 Alaska mid-air collision|collided]] over [[George Inlet]], killing all five aboard the DHC-2 and one aboard the DHC-3.
* 20 May 2019 – [[Taquan Air Flight 20]] overturned in the harbor in [[Metlakatla, Alaska|Metlakatla]], [[Alaska]], United States one week after the George Inlet crash, killing the pilot and single passenger. Taquan Air suspended all flights the following day.
* 31 July 2020 – A DHC-2 carrying 6 people [[2020 Kenai Peninsula mid-air collision|collided with a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser]] piloted by Alaska State Representative [[Gary Knopp]] (the only one aboard) over Alaska's [[Kenai Peninsula]]. All 7 people died.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hollander |first1=Zaz |last2=Brooks |first2=James |title=State lawmaker and local pilot among 7 killed in midair collision over Alaska's Kenai Peninsula |newspaper=[[Anchorage Daily News]] |date=1 August 2020 |url=https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/aviation/2020/07/31/planes-collide-in-midair-near-soldotna-ntsb-says/ |access-date=1 August 2020 }}</ref>
<!--
*********************
Please do not add any new accidents here unless there is already a Wikipedia article about the accident to link to. There have been hundreds of Beaver accidents and most are not notable. Ask first on the talk page if you are unsure.
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-->

==Aircraft on display==

===Argentina===
* P-05 – DHC-2 on static display at [[Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina]] in [[Morón, Buenos Aires]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1506 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id984.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

===Bangladesh===
* S2-ABR – DHC-2 preserved outside the [[National Museum of Science and Technology (Bangladesh)|National Museum of Science and Technology]] in [[Dhaka]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 472 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn472.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>
* S2-ABV – DHC-2 preserved outside the [[National Museum of Science and Technology (Bangladesh)|National Museum of Science and Technology]] in [[Dhaka]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1106 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn1106.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

===Canada===
[[File:CF-FHB De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Norcanair (7637590964).jpg|thumb|DHC-2 Beaver c/n 1 at Canada Aviation and Space Museum]]
* CF-FHB – DHC-2 on static display at the [[Canada Aviation and Space Museum]] in [[Ottawa, Ontario]].<ref name="CASM"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id102.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* CF-OBS – DHC-2 on display at the [[Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre]] in [[Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web |title=deHavilland Beaver CF-OBS |url=http://www.bushplane.com/index.php?id=aircraft-dhc2 |website=Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 2 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id337.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* AP-AKB – DHC-2 in storage at [[Canada Aviation and Space Museum]] in [[Ottawa]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1034 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn1034.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>
* CF-PSM-X – Turbo-Beaver III on display at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1525TB1 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id402.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>
* Composite – DHC-2 on static display at [[Bass Pro Shops]] at [[Vaughan Mills]] in [[Vaughan, Ontario]]. It is a composite airframe consisting of parts from construction number 1579.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1579 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id115.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1579 plus others |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id694.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* CF-MAA - DHC-2 on display at the [[Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada]] in [[Winnipeg, Manitoba]]<ref>{{cite web|url= https://royalaviationmuseum.com/aircraft/de-havilland-canada-dhc-2-beaver-mk-i-c-fmaa/|title= De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk I C-FMAA|access-date= 25 July 2022|author= Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada|author-link= Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada|work= royalaviationmuseum.com|year= 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220725144900/https://royalaviationmuseum.com/aircraft/de-havilland-canada-dhc-2-beaver-mk-i-c-fmaa/|archive-date= 25 July 2022|url-status= bot: unknown}}</ref>

===China===
[[File:U-6A "Beaver" Versatile Aircraft 20170919.jpg|thumb|Defected [[Republic of China Air Force|ROCAF]] U-6A on display in Beijing]]
* 54-1725 (United States Army) U-6A on static display at the [[Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution]] in [[Beijing]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Canadian U - 6A Utility Aircraft Piloted by Li Dawei to Return to China |url=http://eng.jb.mil.cn/Collections/Cultural/Socialist/201709/t20170912_36922.html |website=Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608201653/http://eng.jb.mil.cn/Collections/Cultural/Socialist/201709/t20170912_36922.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 875 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id1079.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>
* 1619 (Unmarked) – DHC-2 on static display at the [[Chinese Aviation Museum]] in [[Datangshan]], Beijing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1610 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id939.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

===Colombia===
* 408 – DHC-2 on static display at the [[Colombian Aerospace Museum]] near [[Tocancipá|Tocancipá, Cundinamarca]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 408 |url=https://www.dhc-2.com/cn408.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Museo Aeroespacial Colombiano - Fuerza Aérea Colombiana |url=https://www.fac.mil.co/museo/museo-aeroespacial-colombiano-0 |website=fac.mil.co |access-date=5 January 2021 |language=es |archive-date=8 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108142938/https://www.fac.mil.co/museo/museo-aeroespacial-colombiano-0 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Finland===
* OH-MVL – DHC-2 on static display at the [[Finnish Aviation Museum]] in [[Vantaa|Vantaa, Uusimaa]].<ref>{{cite web |title=DE HAVILLAND C-2 BEAVER |url=http://ilmailumuseo.fi/kokoelma/de-havilland-c-2-beaver |website=Ilmailumuseo Flygmuseum |date=26 May 2015 |publisher=Suomen ilmailumuseo |access-date=16 January 2017 |language=fi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 141 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id265.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* OH-MVM – DHC-2 on static display at the Maritime Centre Vellamo in [[Kotka|Kotka, Kymenlaakso]], [[Finland]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 790 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id259.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>

===Indonesia===
* U-3033 ([[Indonesian Army Aviation]]) – DHC-2 on static display at SMK Penerbangan Wira Aqasa Bhakti, [[Semarang]], [[Central Java]].<ref name="DHC-2 c/n95"/>

===Iran===
[[File:An old DeHavilland Canada Beaver with registeration 6-9701 in Tehran (II).jpg|thumb|[[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|IRIAF]] L-20B at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran]]
* 6-9701 – L-20B on static display at The Military Museum, [[Sa'dabad Complex]] in [[Tehran]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 558 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn558.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>
* 6-9704 – L-20B on static display at Tehran Aviation Exhibition near [[Mehrabad International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 566 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn566.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

===Japan===
* JA3097 – DHC-2 on static display at [[Chunichi Shimbun]] Headquarters in [[Nagoya]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 779 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id266.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

===Netherlands===
* S-6 – L-20 in storage at the [[Militaire Luchtvaart Museum]] in [[Soesterberg|Soesterberg, Utrecht]], Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 959 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id1124.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* JZ-PAD – DHC-2 on display at [[Aviodrome]] in [[Lelystad]], [[Flevoland]]. Only front part of the fuselage is displayed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1288 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn1288.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

===New Zealand===
* ZK-CMW – DHC-2 on static display at the [[Air Force Museum of New Zealand]] in [[Wigram|Wigram, Canterbury]]. It is painted as NZ6001, an airframe that took part in the Trans-Antarctic Expedition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Featured Aircraft |url=http://www.airforcemuseum.co.nz/collections/featured-collections/?c_type=aircraft |website=Air Force Museum of New Zealand |access-date=16 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220185851/http://www.airforcemuseum.co.nz/collections/featured-collections/?c_type=aircraft |archive-date=20 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1084 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id614.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>

===Oman===
* 213 – Beaver AL.1 on static display at the [[Sultan's Armed Forces Museum]] near [[Muscat]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1489 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id228.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

===Serbia===
[[File:DHC-2 mjrv.jpg|thumb|DHC-2 of [[Yugoslav Air Force]] in Belgrade]]
* 70101 – DHC-2 on static display at the [[Belgrade Aviation Museum]] in [[Surčin|Surčin, Belgrade]].<ref>{{cite web |title=De Havilland of Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk.I |url=http://www.aeronauticalmuseum.com/eksponati.php?jez=eng&id=69 |website=Aeronautical Museum Belgrade |publisher=Aeronautical museum-Belgrade |access-date=16 January 2017 }}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 587 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id951.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>

===South Korea===
* 116772 – U-6A on static display at a museum in [[Imjingak]], [[Gyeonggi Province]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 209 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id995.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>
* 116837 – U-6A on static display at [[War Memorial of Korea]], [[Seoul]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 386 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id778.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>
* 82073 (painted as "58600") – U-6A on static display at [[Daejeon National Cemetery]], [[Daejeon]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1406 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn1406.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

===Taiwan===
* 8025 – U-6A on static display at Kueijen Army Airfield, [[Taoyuan, Taiwan|Taoyuan City]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 756 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn756.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>
* 8011 – U-6A on static display at Aviation Education Exhibition Hall near [[Republic of China Air Force Academy]] in [[Kaohsiung|Kaohsiung City]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1393 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn1393.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

===Thailand===
* 26157 – L-20A on static display at Royal Thai Army Aircraft Maintenance Centre, [[Lopburi]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 555 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id691.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
* 58-2062 (United States Army) – U-6A on static display at the [[Midland Air Museum]] in [[Baginton, Warwickshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aircraft Listing |url=http://www.midlandairmuseum.co.uk/aircraftlist.php |website=Midland Air Museum |access-date=16 January 2017 |archive-date=12 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712044138/http://www.midlandairmuseum.co.uk/aircraftlist.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1394 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id85.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* XP821 – Beaver AL.1 on static display at the [[Museum of Army Flying]] at [[AAC Middle Wallop]] in [[Middle Wallop|Middle Wallop, Hampshire]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1484 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id234.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier – de Havilland CanadaDHC-2/L-20/U-6 Beaver, s/n XP821 AAC, c/n 1484 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=67996 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* XP822 – Beaver AL.1 on static display at the Museum of Army Flying at AAC Middle Wallop in Middle Wallop, Hampshire.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1486 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id1089.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier – de Havilland CanadaDHC-2/L-20/U-6 Beaver, s/n XP822 AAC, c/n 1486 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=67748 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>

===United States===
[[File:DHC-2 Beaver at the Heritage Flight Museum.jpg|thumb|U-6A c/n 1163 at the Heritage Flight Museum]]
* 51-6263 – U-6A on static display at the [[United States Army Aviation Museum]] at [[Fort Novosel]] near [[Daleville, Alabama]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fixed Wing |url=http://www.armyaviationmuseum.org/aircraft-collection/fixed-wing |website=United States Army Aviation Museum |access-date=16 January 2017 |date=30 October 2016 |archive-date=25 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625175457/http://www.armyaviationmuseum.org/aircraft-collection/fixed-wing/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 109 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn109.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* 51-16501– U-6A on static display at the [[National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]] at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] in [[Dayton, Ohio]].<ref name="NMUSAF">{{cite web |title=De Havilland U-6A Beaver |url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196901/de-havilland-u-6a-beaver/ |website=National Museum of the US Air Force |access-date=16 January 2017 |date=29 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 277 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id623.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* 52-6087 – U-6A on static display at the [[Museum of Aviation (Warner Robins)|Museum of Aviation]] at [[Robins Air Force Base]] near [[Warner Robins, Georgia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=U-6A "BEAVER" |url=http://www.museumofaviation.org/portfolio/u-6a-beaver |website=Museum of Aviation |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 454 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id1069.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* 53-2817 – U-6A on static display at [[Camp San Luis Obispo]] in [[San Luis Obispo County, California]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 614 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id577.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>
* 53-0367 – U-6A on static display at the 45th Infantry Division Museum in [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1062 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id693.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* N754 – Volpar Model 4000 on display at [[Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport]], [[Alaska]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1207 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id73.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref>
* 57-2570 – U-6A in storage at the [[New England Air Museum]] in [[Windsor Locks, Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite web |title=de Havilland U-6A 'Beaver' |url=http://www.neam.org/ac-dehavilland-u6a.php |website=New England Air Museum |access-date=16 January 2017 |archive-date=14 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314193752/http://neam.org/ac-dehavilland-u6a.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1222 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id730.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* 58-1997 – U-6 on static display at the [[U.S. Army Transportation Museum]] at [[Joint Base Langley–Eustis]] near [[Newport News, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird  |first1=Neil|title=c/n 1322 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/cn1322.html |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>
* 58-2064 – U-6 in storage at the [[National Infantry Museum]] in [[Columbus, Georgia]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aird |first1=Neil |title=c/n 1396 |url=http://www.dhc-2.com/id1053.htm |website=DHC-2.com |access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>

==Specifications (DHC-2)==
[[File:De Havilland Canada L-20A Beaver 3-view line drawing.png|frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the de Havilland Canada L-20A Beaver]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft'',<ref>Donald 1997, p. 328.</ref> ''BAE Systems''<ref name = "bae heri">[http://www.baesystems.com/en/heritage/de-havilland-canada-dhc-2-beaver "De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver."] ''BAE Systems'', Retrieved: 30 April 2017.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1 - 2
|capacity=6 passengers, 2,100 lb (953 kg) useful load
|length m=
|length ft=30
|length in=3
|length note=
|span m=
|span ft=48
|span in=0
|span note=
|height m=
|height ft=9
|height in=0
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=250
|wing area note=
|airfoil=D.H. high lift wing section<ref name="jawa61p278">Taylor 1961, pp. 27–28</ref>
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=3,000
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=5,100
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity={{convert|79|impgal|USgal L|abbr=on}}<ref name="jawa61p278"/>
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney R-985]] Wasp Jr.
|eng1 type=9 cylinder [[radial engine]]
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=450

|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=Hamilton-Standard controllable-pitch propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=8<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=6<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=<ref name="jawa61p278"/>
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=255
|max speed mph=158
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=143
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=at {{convert|5000|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="jawa61p278"/>
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=455
|range nmi=
|range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=18,000
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=1,020
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation|Canada}}
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Fairchild F-11 Husky]]
* [[GippsAero GA8 Airvan]]
* [[Helio Courier]]
* [[Max Holste Broussard|Max Holste M.H. 1521 Broussard]]
* [[Murphy Moose]]
* [[Noorduyn Norseman]]
* [[PAC 750XL]]
* [[Pilatus PC-6 Porter]]
|lists=
* [[List of carrier-based aircraft]]
|see also=
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |editor-last=Donald |editor-first=David |title=The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft |publisher=Prospero Books |location=Ontario, Canada |year=1997 |isbn=1-85605-375-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Hagedorn |first=Daniel P. |title=Central American and Caribbean Air Forces |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. |location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK |year=1993 |isbn=0-85130-210-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Harnden |first=Toby |title=Bandit Country: The IRA and South Armagh |publisher=Coronet Books |location=Philadelphia, PA |year=2000 |isbn=0-340-71737-8}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Grandolini |first=Albert |title=L'Aviation Royals Khmere: The first 15 years of Cambodian military aviation |magazine=Air Enthusiast |issue=Thirty-seven |date=September–December 1988 |pages=39–47 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite book |last=Lambert |first=Mark |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1990–91 |publisher=Jane's Defence Data |location=Coulsdon, UK |year=1990 |isbn=0-7106-0908-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Pither |first=Tony |title=Airline Fleets 2008 |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. |location=Staplefield, West Sussex, UK |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-85130-390-1}}
* {{cite book |last1=Swanborough |first1=Gordon |last2=Bowers |first2=Peter M. |title=United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 |publisher=Putnam |location=London, UK |year=1976 |isbn=0-370-10054-9}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=John W. R. |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1961–62 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston and Company |location=London, UK |year=1961}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=John W. R. |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1966–1967 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston and Company |location=London, UK |year=1966}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=John W. R. |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1973–1974 |publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |location=London, UK |year=1973 |isbn=0-354-00117-5}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite magazine |title=Plush Job For The Bush |magazine=Popular Science |date=November 1949 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hyQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA154}}
* {{cite news |title=Sydney seaplane crash: Wreckage raised from riverbed |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-42561706 |work=BBC News |date=3 January 2018}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Elliot |first=Bryn |title=Bears in the Air: The US Air Police Perspective |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |date=March–April 1997 |issue=68 |pages=46–51 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Harding |first1=Stephen |title=Canadian Connection: US Army Aviation's Penchant for Canadian Types |journal=Air Enthusiast |date=November–December 1999 |issue=84 |pages=72–74 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite book |last=Hotson |first=Fred W. |title=The de Havilland Canada Story |publisher=CANAV Books |location=Toronto, Canada |year=1983 |isbn=0-07-549483-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Rossiter |first=Sean |title=The Immortal Beaver: The World's Greatest Bush Plane |publisher=Douglas & McIntyre |location=Vancouver, Canada |year=1999 |isbn=1-55054-724-0}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.dhc-2.com/ de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver] a [[fansite]] by Neil Aird
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120615021002/http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/collections/artifacts/aircraft/deHavillandCanadaDHC-2Beaver/ de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver] at the [[Canada Aviation and Space Museum]]

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