Introduced to the Otter whilst serving as an RAF fitter at Woomera 59/62. Took delivery of the a/c and enjoyed a few tourist familiarsation flights out of Bankstown and up the east coast. Off to Woomera creating a long distance gliding record for an Otter when the engine gave out with a bang and clatter over Victoria. Removed the engine and took it back to Bankstown in the back of a VW pick up!Eventually enjoyed many trips in the outback from Woomera.
Brian Hall, e-mail, 26.06.2014 05:53
I spent the summer of 1958 at Cold Lake AB as a F/C with Navigator's wings, and had the good fortune to spend a large part of the time flying around the Northwest Territories in a float equipped Otter (VR661) with Mac Willard as pilot. We were visiting all the Ground Observer Corps stations, and the Otter was absolutely the best aircraft for the job. Of course, the fact that Mac was an ex bush pilot from BC made it look easy. There were many of the small lakes that required taxiing at speed in circles to create enough waves so we could take off.
larry patch, e-mail, 13.06.2013 05:16
1 yr in VN...54th Aviation Co..Otter was best flying assignment ever...very safe for us non-hero types
larry patch, e-mail, 13.06.2013 05:15
1 yr in VN...54th Aviation Co..Otter was best flying assignment ever...very safe for us non-hero types
McCan, e-mail, 29.04.2013 00:05
When were you there? I was XO of "Big Daddy" in 1970. We flew out of Log Than North. I even flew "Fat Albert" when she wasn't in the hanger!
Raymond Beauregard, rpbst=comcast.net, 16.02.2013 Flew the Otter in RVN, 54th Airplane Co. Great airplane, slow, low and reliable.
Raymond Beauregard, e-mail, 16.02.2013 19:33
Flew the Otter in RVN, 54th Airplane Co. Great airplane, slow, low and reliable.
Ben LaVigne, e-mail, 13.02.2013 06:06
All you people with comments about the otter are NOT true!! If you left a comment here and think your an otter pilot and have something neg to say even if its against the standard otter, you simply havnt flown this incredible airplane enouph. Its all inexperience and no respect. My father has been operating this airplane for 40 years and no accidents.It comes down to pilots and there capibilites. He has also flown this plane with me in it, for thousands of hour and NO accidents. I guess these pilots today are really FAKE. Except a Few Like John Kaartinen!!! Any comments, you fake otter pilots, PLEASE EMAIL me @ dehavilandhxy@gmail.com
Norman Dack, e-mail, 17.09.2012 21:50
I was in the RCAF stationed in Cold Lake, Alberta in 1955 and 1956 and used to fly in the Otter back and forth to Primrose Lake to the Velvet Glove missile range. I was told this aircraft could take off in the width of the runway, not sure if that is true. I know they could land on water, ice, or land.
Roberto Mendieta, e-mail, 16.06.2012 02:33
We had a couple of them in the Nicaraguan Air Force back in 1977, great planes!!!!!!!
mike, e-mail, 08.05.2012 18:47
I made a jump from a Army UA-1 in Thailand in 1969 with the 46th SFCA. The plane would hold about 8 paratroopers. I am interested in building a 1/6th scale RC model. If anyone knows where I can get plans please let me know.
Roy Hannah, e-mail, 11.04.2012 19:07
I was a crew chief on the U1A in the 12th Av. Co. Ft. Sill -1958/60. My brother, Jerry, was also a crew chief. Flew all over the U.S. Great plane. We lost one plane in 2 1/2 yrs. Blown jug , Accident on landing at night. Anyone remember us?
Bob Anderson, e-mail, 18.08.2011 01:57
IN the mid 1950's I ferried many of these from Toronto to Mobile AL for shipment to Europe for the U.S. Army. Also had Army friends that were killed in Demo flight Toronto 195? when flaps suddenly retracted from full at slow flight and A/C rolled on back and wings folded. Still one of the best A/C I have ever flown.
ROGER FETZER, e-mail, 19.07.2011 09:27
1966-67 18th av. co.--256th trans det. I engine mechanic for the otter--stationed at Qui-Nhon. Changed out a lot of r-1340's --great sounding engine. If you were there, like to hear from you. rkf/out.
luson, 20.06.2011 13:58
Carried so much fuel when topped off that it was also used for loitering on station as a radio relay. It was limited by consistently high oil consumption.
David Darbyshire, e-mail, 25.01.2011 15:59
I learned more about flying while piloting the Otter in Nam, than in any other plane in my 40 year flying career. Great airplane.
Bill, e-mail, 11.01.2011 05:40
John I believe the PWC conversion you mentioned in your note was done by Kenmore Air Harbor. Kenmore Washington. They have several STC's for Turbin's in Beaver's and Otter's
John, 03.01.2011 03:28
From my previous post: " ... The radials can overfly mountain ranges with pilot + passenger oxygen well above FL12, something the radials have serous issues with. ..."
Should read: " ... The turbos can overfly mountain ranges ... something the radials have serious issues with ..."
John, 03.01.2011 03:24
Working in the far north for many years, I probably have made roughly 3000 flights in single Otters, all on floats. I've flown in the PW Radial, the PZL Radial (which we called "the Polish Otter"), and three versions of turbo conversions: the original turbo mentioned in the article, the PWC conversions done in Washington State (don't know the company) and a Walter turbo conversion. The PZL radial, at 1000 HP vs the PW radial at 600 HP, is similar to turbo performance. The turbos are of course superior, not the least of which is the 3000+ hour TBO vs 800 for the PW Radial, but also in performance, in particular climb. The radials can overfly mountain ranges with pilot + passenger oxygen well above FL12, something the radials have serous issues with. The plane is also very crash-worthy ... and the four incidents I know of crashing in bush resulted in no injuries or deaths. I can't say that for the Cessena 185, DC-3 and various helicopter crashes I've witnessed or was on search parties for. For search, the Otter is outstanding; you can put one wing down pointing essentially at a single point on the ground and circle all day if you want, or do the usual patterns with excellent visibility in every window. These aircraft are invaluable ... you can't dock Twin Otters safely or practically at an ordinary dock, unless making firewood is your goal, nor are open-water pickups nearly as safe with both engines running (typical need in rough weather).
Outstanding aircraft, unbelievably rugged cargo ability, and there is no practical replacement anywhere ... the Russians have a single engine biplane with similar STOL and Bush performance but the docking issue exists with the lower wing. Cessena Caravans look good on paper but need a mile for water takeoff and are nowhere near as tough. They will be running well into the 21st Century; there is no alternative on the market to do the work this plane does with ease.
Athena Sieben, e-mail, 28.11.2010 21:16
Hope someone can help me, looking for diecast models of the otter and twin otter for my nephew. Can anyone help me with where to look. Can not find them so far. Also looking for diecast of the Husky, Goose and Mallard. Thanks Athena
jim wittel, e-mail, 22.11.2010 23:01
Got a web site on the 63 Otters that came to the 18th and the unit history of the 18th Aviatiion Company. Check it out esp chapter 3 I need 27 more pictures by tail no to complete the entire 63 Otters that came through the doors of the 18th in Vietnam. Some of these Otters from the 18thare still flying today as DHC-3T
terry potter, e-mail, 08.10.2010 22:13
I passengered in one of these in Vietnam flying from TayNihn to Saigon. I distinctly recall shutting down 2 of the engines for a glide in and having to restart and come around again. Exciting times.
Boats, e-mail, 26.08.2010 07:40
when one goes to Beta with the prop,How do the star pins engage and how do you get them to release to allow the prop to come out of feather ???????
tom manyplace, e-mail, 26.03.2010 15:48
this plane sucks i crshed six times because the tanks leaked and the wing strutts dont withstand as much as it says.DONT BUY THIS PLANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ian Butter, e-mail, 30.01.2010 18:17
For more information about this venerable bush plane go to www.dhc3otter.com
Ramon R. Williams, e-mail, 24.08.2008 11:19
During my US Army career as an Army Aviator I flew the Otter in all over the the United States,Central and South America, Europe, and a tour in VeitNam with the 18th Aviation Company. Never had a forced landing, the 1340 kept that propeller turning and I never scrathed the aircraft.
Mike Close, e-mail, 08.05.2008 16:30
Flew many of these for a year in Viet Nam. Extremely versatile (though slow). Was used in support of Special Forces as a cargo/ passenger aircraft, in and out of high DA, short jungle strips. Our version had a tail wheel that free castered, locked straight, or powered in tandem with rudder application (though often didn't work). Carried so much fuel when topped off that it was also used for loitering on station as a radio relay. It was limited by consistently high oil consumption.
Lee, e-mail, 05.09.2007 18:22
Does anyone have the maximum tail height for the seaplane version of this while on land? Need for clearances. Thanks!
Steve Allsop, e-mail, 13.02.2007 13:34
I am currently drawing up a set of plans for an R/C 1/6th scale version of the DHC-3 Otter and desparately need some detailed drawings of the flap/ aileron arrangement. If anyone can email me with some drawings or photos that illustrate how they work I would be eternally grateful.
