de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver
9 models built 1947–1968 · 363 on the US register today
The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, the definitive bush aeroplane: a 450 hp R-985 radial, a high wing, a tailwheel and a cabin you can put an engine block into, built 1947-1967 with nearly 1,700 made and most still flying. The Mk I is the piston aircraft; the L-20A/U-6A rows are Beavers registered under their US Army designation; the Mk III Turbo Beaver (1963-68, sixty built) has a PT6A and a stretched fuselage. The type certificate is now held by Viking Air. The registry spells the designation nine ways.
The variants
| MODEL | YEARS | ACTIVE | TAILFAX SCORE | WHAT CHANGED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver DHC-2 | 1947–1967 | 38 | 24.3/50 | Registry spelling of the DHC-2 |
| Beaver DHC-2 Mk.1 | 1947–1967 | 76 | 24.3/50 | Registry spelling of the Mk I |
| DHC-2 | 1947–1967 | 69 | 24.3/50 | The original Mk I Beaver |
| DHC-2 MK 1 | 1951–1960 | 44 | 24.3/50 | Registry spelling of the Mk I |
| DHC-2 MK-1 (L-20) | 1951–1960 | 1 | 24.3/50 | US Army L-20 spelling |
| DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) | 1951–1960 | 91 | 18.4/50 | US Army L-20A/U-6A |
| DHC-2 MK.I | 1951–1960 | 20 | 24.3/50 | Registry spelling of the Mk I |
| DHC2 MK1 (L20A) | 1951–1960 | 0 | 24.3/50 | US Army L-20A spelling |
| DHC 2 MK III | 1963–1968 | 24 | Partial 4.2/30 | Turbo Beaver: PT6A, stretched fuselage |
Family fleet, active
363
FAA registry
NTSB events / 1,000, 10 yrs
124
45 events over 363 active aircraft, pooled across the family
Data as of: FAA registry Sep 28 · NTSB Oct 2 · scores Sep 30