DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver
Mentioning the deHavilland Beaver often invokes a religious like reaction amongst die-hard bush pilots. Pilots have been known to take their hats off when one flies over and old-timers have become misty-eyed in remembrance of times past that they had with the deHavilland. With a stout nine cylinder Pratt & Whitney radial, Beavers fly over emitting a roar evocative of steep mountains, unruly bears and true wilderness. The deHavilland Beaver can be fitted with floats or skis. The Beaver features an aluminum, semi-monocoque design.
If a person is ambivalent about the Beaver when he or she initially approaches one, such ambivalence quickly evaporates when they sees the cockpit. The deHavilland Beaver was designed as a serious, no-nonsense bush plane and this philosophy is well reflected in its functional, though rugged cockpit. The Beaver is not a dainty little airplane that appeals to nair-do-wells. It is a large barrel-chested plane that looks quite capable of eating Cessnas and Super Cubs as mere snacks. As further evidence of the rugged functionality of the Beaver, its oil filler spout and dipstick are located in the cockpit itself. It is possible to add oil to the engine with one hand while flying the Beaver with the other (though not particularly recommended). Many of these aircraft were built for the Unites States military, and it is common to see Beavers with functional, though very spartan interiors. Tube frame seats and web fabric, such as featured in military airplanes, are often seen in Beavers. Other Beavers have been lavishly restored and have interiors rivaling those of luxury cars.
The deHavilland Beaver was first flown in August 1947 and was produced commercially until 1967. 1657 Beavers were made, and as a tribute to the plane’s bush ability, many of these are still flying to this day. Viking Air of Victoria, Canada, owns the production rights to many of the older deHavilland aircraft (including the Beaver), but currently there are no plans to return the plane to production. Prices of used Beavers tend to be steep and well refurbished planes often have prices in excess of $500,000. Even wrecked and non-flying rebuildable projects regularly commend prices in the low six-figure range.
Kenmore Air of Kenmore, Washington specializes in refurbishing Beavers and “Kenmore Beavers” are often advertised in used airplane publications. Kenmore holds numerous STC modifications for the Beaver.
Beavers are typically powered by an R-985 Pratt & Whitney radial engine. Some have been modified to accept turbo-prop engines, though these Beavers are relatively rare. The Pratt & Whitney radial is a very reliable engine and produces 450 hp in stock form on the Beaver. Beavers have large cabins and can seat eight people. Depending upon equipment, their useful load can be 2,100 pounds, which is close to the gross weight of most Super Cubs. On floats, Beavers seem to take on gigantic dimensions, particularly when one takes a view from the cockpit.
The deHavilland Beaver does not offer the outstanding short field performance of Super Cubs or Helios, but this is not surprising when one considers its size. Nevertheless, Beavers are respectable short-field aircraft, with take-off and landing distances roughly comparable to the Cessna 180s and 185s. Beavers will cruise at speeds approaching 140 mph depending upon how they are equipped and pilot technique.
Here are two short videos we thought you would enjoy. The first one is a cockpit view of a deHavilland Beaver flying over a harbor (beautiful landscape) and the second one shows a deHavilland Beaver riding on the back of a forklift, which is something you don't see everyday.
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