DeHavilland Canada (Viking Air) DHC-2 Beaver
Often seen as the ultimate bushplane the DHC-2 Beaver remains one of the most used utility aircraft in the remote areas of North America. Although designed by DeHavilland Canada in the late 1940s, many survive today as its replacements are more expensive. Crashed Beavers are even rebuilt when possible, showing their strength.
The DHC-2 has high wings, braced by single struts. The fuselage has the engine up front, with the cockpit close behind. Typical are the triangular side windows, in the cockpit door, with the front corner "cut off" by a window frame. The cabin window arrangement can differ, due to modifications, but originally the large window in the cabin door has a trapezium shape. One or two smaller nearly rectangular windows may follow. The tail is conventional, often with a curved triangular vertical fin and dorsal fin, but there are modifications with a differ tail shape.
The DHC-2 normally has a wheeled gear with a tail wheel. However, nowadays many are fitted with floats. They can also be equipped with skis.
Viking Air purchased the type certificate for the DHC‑2 in 2006 (together with all models from DHC‑1 until DHC‑7). It continues support for the aircraft still in operation.
Here you can see the window layout of original Beavers: a triangular cockpit side window with the front corner framed off, and a large trapezium window in the cabin door.
Different versions
The versions of the DHC-2 can be distinguished from the outside by
- the shape of the nose and cowling
- the shape of the tail
Details will follow later.
Confusion possible with
DeHavilland Canada DHC-3
The Otter is quite larger than the Beaver. Moreover, its tail has a cruciform shape, with the vertical stabiliser curved all around, from the dorsal fin to the tail cone. The cabin windows are nearly square with rounded corners.
Max Holste Broussard
The Broussard can be considered as the "French Beaver". It is of similar size and configuration, except for the H-tail. This clearly distinguishes the MH1521 from the DHC-2, as do the larger cabin windows.
Howard DGA-15
The front of the Howard DGA-15 looks a bit like that of the DHC-2, including the gear struts. The high placed wings are braced by two struts though and have rounded tips. Additionally, the tall vertical fin has a rounded top and rudder from below this top to beyond the tail cone.
Cessna 195
From the same generation is the Cessna 195 with its non-braced wings with rounded tips, larger cabin windows and rounded vertical stabiliser with a smaller dorsal fin than the DHC-2.
Murphy Moose
As a more modern alternative to the Beaver the Murphy Moose looks quite similar, especially when fitted with a radial engine. The Moose has a single, front cockpit window, and a big cabin/cockpit window on each side. Finally, the tail is much less curved. (photo: Jeroen Stroes Aviation Photography/WikiMedia)
Technoavia SM92
The modern Russian version of the Beaver can have a radial piston or turboprop engine. The SM92 has more large cabin windows than the DHC-2 and a cruciform tail with strut braced horizontal stabilisers.
Noorduyn Norseman
Another Canadian bushplane, from an earlier generation. Its wing struts are composed of multiple bars, unlike the single one of the Beaver. The fuselage is more rounded and it has six flat cockpit windows. Finally, the tail is without a dorsal fin.
Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter
While the standard DHC-2 Beaver has a big radial engine up front, and should thus be easily identified, the turbo version looks more like a Turbo Porter. The nose looks similar and the tail is nearly straight. The DHC-2 MkIII however has different cabin windows, with a single trapezium one in the middle. Also the main gear has single, streamlined struts.