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De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER

YEAR AND NUMBER MADE

In Total 466 Otters were made between 1951 and 1967.

ACQUIRED FROM:

Formerly part of the Ontario Provincial Air Service

POWER

600 HP Pratt and Whitney R11340 Wasp engine

PRIMARY USE:

Used by mining and oil companies, airlines, police forces, the OPAS, the Canadian Airforce and US Army. Australia, Burma, India, Norway, New Zealand, Chile and the UK purchased them for their military.

HISTORY:

CF-ODU was purchased by the OPAS in 1960. It was damaged in a forced landing in Moosenee in 1984 and was fully restored by CBHC volunteers. In 1953 the Otter carried on the tradition of the Beaver for bush-flying with a larger wingspan, fuselage and more powerful engine. It has 2 times the cargo space of the Beaver and can carry up to 10 passengers and two crew members. It was also known as the “King Beaver”. It took 10 years to rebuild CF-ODU.

STORY:

On a summer day in 1986, ODU’s career came to an abrupt halt. It was mid afternoon on August 24, 1986. It was loaded in Moosonee with fuel drums, transporting a supply of aviation fuel for the OMNR to Hudson Bay Lowlands. Pilot John Bell and passenger Jim Faught had engine trouble 24 km from Moosonee and were force to land in a swampy area. The plane was equipped with oversize tundra tires, which made it easier to land on soft ground. Bell made a three point landing but as the plane slowed the tires sank deeper into the soft ground and with momentum still carrying the plane forward, ODU’s nose tipped forward and dug in and the plane somersaulted on its back. No one was injured and the fuel drums were not damaged. ODU sustained considerable damage and OPAS decided to not rebuild it.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

  • Honorary ownership of the item for one year: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021
  • One Year Individual Membership to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre
  • A certificate of honorary ownership
  • Recognition of honorary ownership on display with the aircraft or truck in the museum for the year
  • Opportunity to have your photo taken with or in (where possible) your plane or truck
  • Any donor with a winning bid over $1000 will have their name added to the donor board in the centre's lobby
Organization
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre
Value
$0.00
Starting Bid
$100.00

Item

# Bid Status By Date
1 $1,000.00 Gerry Perdue

This auction closed on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 9:00:00 PM.

Pickup Instructions

Shortly after winning your bid on any number of the planes included in the auction, you will be contacted by the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. Detailed instructions regarding how to claim your winnings, along with each of the included perks will be included in this email.

For any auction related questions, please email [email protected]

Closed on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 9:00:00 PM

About Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre

Adventure takes off at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. This one-of-a-kind and interactive museum is located in the historic waterfront hangar of the Ontario Provincial Air Service, which was instrumental in the development of bush flying and forest fire management in Northern Ontario. Explore 24 aircraft exhibits (some you can enter!) including the original De Havilland Beaver aircraft and the CL-215 waterbomber. Learn about flight in the Children’s Flight Centre with hands-on activities the whole family will enjoy. See a viewing of Wildfires!, our award-wining film about forest fire fighting in the North! Find unique gifts and STEM-themed toys in our gift shop. Get inspired with a guided tour about the development of bushplanes and forest fire management – available daily 10am and 2pm. Get “buggy” with Entomica Insectarium when you select the Adventure Pass admission option. Our Event Centre is perfect for weddings, birthdays, and corporate and social functions. The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre makes an excellent day trip for school field trips and recreational bus tours.