Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Steve's "Otter Of The Week"! .....by Karl E. Hayes
Unfortunately, as in human life, the history and accomplishments of some Otters is very vague as compared to other celebrated "peers". Here is one such aircraft.........
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
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Otter 162
Otter 162 was delivered to the United States Army on 6th October 1956 with serial 55-3304 (tail number 53304). It was assigned to the 3rd Aviation Company, Fort Riley, Kansas and moved with the Company when it deployed to Illesheim, Germany in July 1957. The Company disbanded in November 1959 but 53304 remained in Europe and by January 1962 was serving with the 207th Aviation Company, Heidelberg, Germany. In December '62 it went to the Depot at Coleman Barracks, Mannheim, Germany for overhaul, and when this was completed, in July 1963 it joined the 2nd Aviation Company in France. It was noted flying from Prestwick, Scotland to Benbecula and return on 2nd July 1965, the 2nd Aviation Company having a tasking each summer to transport Special Forces to the missile firing ranges on the Outer Hebrides. 53304 continued in service with the 2nd Aviation Company until the unit disbanded in March 1967. It then joined the 56th Aviation Detachment based at Coleman Barracks, Mannheim, Germany which took over the tasks performed by the 2nd Aviation Company. It was noted visiting Luton, England on 12th September 1967 and the airfield at Tattenhill in March 1968, transporting personnel to the nearby Fauld and Ditton Priors ammunition depots, which was one of the missions of the 56th Aviation Detachment. It visited the USAF base at Mildenhall, England on 15th August 1969. 53304 crashed on landing at Coleman Barracks in October 1969, fortunately without injury but the Otter was a write off. It was deleted from the Army inventory in January 1970.
- by Karl E. Hayes
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Transporting "Special Forces", Otter 162 probably took secrets with her to that "hangar in the sky"............
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Otter 162
Otter 162 was delivered to the United States Army on 6th October 1956 with serial 55-3304 (tail number 53304). It was assigned to the 3rd Aviation Company, Fort Riley, Kansas and moved with the Company when it deployed to Illesheim, Germany in July 1957. The Company disbanded in November 1959 but 53304 remained in Europe and by January 1962 was serving with the 207th Aviation Company, Heidelberg, Germany. In December '62 it went to the Depot at Coleman Barracks, Mannheim, Germany for overhaul, and when this was completed, in July 1963 it joined the 2nd Aviation Company in France. It was noted flying from Prestwick, Scotland to Benbecula and return on 2nd July 1965, the 2nd Aviation Company having a tasking each summer to transport Special Forces to the missile firing ranges on the Outer Hebrides. 53304 continued in service with the 2nd Aviation Company until the unit disbanded in March 1967. It then joined the 56th Aviation Detachment based at Coleman Barracks, Mannheim, Germany which took over the tasks performed by the 2nd Aviation Company. It was noted visiting Luton, England on 12th September 1967 and the airfield at Tattenhill in March 1968, transporting personnel to the nearby Fauld and Ditton Priors ammunition depots, which was one of the missions of the 56th Aviation Detachment. It visited the USAF base at Mildenhall, England on 15th August 1969. 53304 crashed on landing at Coleman Barracks in October 1969, fortunately without injury but the Otter was a write off. It was deleted from the Army inventory in January 1970.
- by Karl E. Hayes
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Transporting "Special Forces", Otter 162 probably took secrets with her to that "hangar in the sky"............
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
Thursday, June 25, 2009
It's Time To Play..... Otterflogger's "Name That Cockpit"!
OK, "Ladies and Gentlemen", time for "installment #111" in our "cockpit series", which will be a continuing "brain-strainer".
This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................
***MYSTERY UNSOLVED!***
This is the cockpit of the Boeing P-26 "Peashooter"! "Sailboat fuel" doubles next week!
CLUE - Certain six-guns in the old west were known as "peashooters"!!
This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................
***MYSTERY UNSOLVED!***
This is the cockpit of the Boeing P-26 "Peashooter"! "Sailboat fuel" doubles next week!
CLUE - Certain six-guns in the old west were known as "peashooters"!!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Steve's "Otter Of The Week"! .....by Karl E. Hayes
Here is a "deceased" girl that started her career in Norway, but returned later to Canada. I tell you, those boys at Thomas Lamb Airways Ltd of The Pas, Manitoba, were "real men". Who would fly an R-1340 engined Otter across the "Atlantic" today? Not too many volunteers, I don't think...........
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
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Otter 441
Otter 441 was delivered to the Royal Norwegian Air Force on 28th January 1964 with serial 64-441, taken from its year of delivery and constructor's number. It was crated and shipped to Norway, arriving in Oslo Harbour 2nd March '64. It was taken to Kjeller Air Force Base where it was reassembled, and accepted by the Air Force, and allocated code 0-AL. On 9th June 1964 it was assigned to 7192 Stotteving (7192 Support Flight) at Orland Air Force Base on amphibious floats. It was to serve the entire of its military career at Orland. In March 1966 it went to Kjeller Air Base for overhaul, returning to Orland. 7192 Support Flight became 720 Squadron, and on 25th January 1967 the Otter received code JT-S. It remained based at Orland with Detachment D of 720 Squadron until 9th October 1967 when it was taken out of service. On 15th November '67 it was struck off charge, having flown a total of 1,257 hours in the service of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, and was entrusted to Halle & Peterson of Oslo, the DHC agents in Norway, for disposal.
Three of the former Norwegian Air Force Otters were sold to Thomas Lamb Airways Ltd of The Pas, Manitoba in April 1968, number 29, which was allocated marks CF-XJM, number 423 which became CF-XIL and number 441 which became CF-CDL. This was the second use of the marks CF-CDL, which had initially been used for Otter 433 which had been destroyed in a crash on 14th February 1968. The purchase price was $30,000 a piece for each of the three Otters and at the time of the sale all three were located at Vaernes Air Base, Trondheim on amphibious floats. Thomas Lamb Airways (later re-named Lambair) were responsible for returning many Otters back to Canada from foreign parts, and arranged for ferry pilots to fly the three Otters back to Canada. A ferry permit was issued for the delivery flight from Vaernes Air Base to The Pas.
The three Otters set off in formation, flying first to Rotterdam in Holland (also noted at Soesterberg Air Base nearby on 22nd April), then to Manchester, England and on to Shannon in Ireland, where they arrived on 25th April '68. At Shannon, ferry tanks were installed in the Shannon Repair Services hangar for the ocean crossing. The three-Otter formation departed Shannon on 4th May for Prestwick, Scotland and on to Stornoway before setting off across the Atlantic via Iceland and Greenland to Goose Bay. The three Otters arrived at The Pas, Manitoba where they were overhauled and entered service with Lambair.
In February 1972 CF-CDL was sold to A.Fecteau Transport Aerien of Senneterre, Quebec. It met with an accident at Lac Goulde, Quebec on 25th June 1975 while operating on floats, referred to in the accident report as “engine failure on climb out” and was substantially damaged. After repair, it was returned to service, the company name being changed to Air Fecteau Ltee and the registration to C-FCDL. It suffered another incident at Lac Canusio, Quebec on 9th March 1981. After landing on the frozen lake, on which the ice was only one and a half inches thick, the pilot had unloaded five 45 gallon fuel drums, by pushing them out of the cargo door and allowing them to free fall to the ice, which weakened it. While taxying away from the unloading area for take-off, the Otter broke through the ice and was partially submerged. It was again repaired and returned to service.
Air Fecteau Ltee merged into Propair Inc, to whom C-FCDL was registered. On 7th March 1984, a precautionary landing after propeller failure is recorded at LG-2 in northern Quebec. In July 1986 the Otter was sold to Cargair Ltee based at St.Michel-des-Saintes, Quebec. It continued flying for Cargair until it was destroyed in a crash on 27th May 1991, twenty five miles north of its base at St.Michel-des-Saintes. In the cruise, the Otter struck trees in IMC conditions, crashed and burned. One of the two occupants sadly was killed and the other seriously injured. The Otter was destroyed.
- by Karl E. Hayes
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"Damned trees"!
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Otter 441
Otter 441 was delivered to the Royal Norwegian Air Force on 28th January 1964 with serial 64-441, taken from its year of delivery and constructor's number. It was crated and shipped to Norway, arriving in Oslo Harbour 2nd March '64. It was taken to Kjeller Air Force Base where it was reassembled, and accepted by the Air Force, and allocated code 0-AL. On 9th June 1964 it was assigned to 7192 Stotteving (7192 Support Flight) at Orland Air Force Base on amphibious floats. It was to serve the entire of its military career at Orland. In March 1966 it went to Kjeller Air Base for overhaul, returning to Orland. 7192 Support Flight became 720 Squadron, and on 25th January 1967 the Otter received code JT-S. It remained based at Orland with Detachment D of 720 Squadron until 9th October 1967 when it was taken out of service. On 15th November '67 it was struck off charge, having flown a total of 1,257 hours in the service of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, and was entrusted to Halle & Peterson of Oslo, the DHC agents in Norway, for disposal.
Three of the former Norwegian Air Force Otters were sold to Thomas Lamb Airways Ltd of The Pas, Manitoba in April 1968, number 29, which was allocated marks CF-XJM, number 423 which became CF-XIL and number 441 which became CF-CDL. This was the second use of the marks CF-CDL, which had initially been used for Otter 433 which had been destroyed in a crash on 14th February 1968. The purchase price was $30,000 a piece for each of the three Otters and at the time of the sale all three were located at Vaernes Air Base, Trondheim on amphibious floats. Thomas Lamb Airways (later re-named Lambair) were responsible for returning many Otters back to Canada from foreign parts, and arranged for ferry pilots to fly the three Otters back to Canada. A ferry permit was issued for the delivery flight from Vaernes Air Base to The Pas.
The three Otters set off in formation, flying first to Rotterdam in Holland (also noted at Soesterberg Air Base nearby on 22nd April), then to Manchester, England and on to Shannon in Ireland, where they arrived on 25th April '68. At Shannon, ferry tanks were installed in the Shannon Repair Services hangar for the ocean crossing. The three-Otter formation departed Shannon on 4th May for Prestwick, Scotland and on to Stornoway before setting off across the Atlantic via Iceland and Greenland to Goose Bay. The three Otters arrived at The Pas, Manitoba where they were overhauled and entered service with Lambair.
In February 1972 CF-CDL was sold to A.Fecteau Transport Aerien of Senneterre, Quebec. It met with an accident at Lac Goulde, Quebec on 25th June 1975 while operating on floats, referred to in the accident report as “engine failure on climb out” and was substantially damaged. After repair, it was returned to service, the company name being changed to Air Fecteau Ltee and the registration to C-FCDL. It suffered another incident at Lac Canusio, Quebec on 9th March 1981. After landing on the frozen lake, on which the ice was only one and a half inches thick, the pilot had unloaded five 45 gallon fuel drums, by pushing them out of the cargo door and allowing them to free fall to the ice, which weakened it. While taxying away from the unloading area for take-off, the Otter broke through the ice and was partially submerged. It was again repaired and returned to service.
Air Fecteau Ltee merged into Propair Inc, to whom C-FCDL was registered. On 7th March 1984, a precautionary landing after propeller failure is recorded at LG-2 in northern Quebec. In July 1986 the Otter was sold to Cargair Ltee based at St.Michel-des-Saintes, Quebec. It continued flying for Cargair until it was destroyed in a crash on 27th May 1991, twenty five miles north of its base at St.Michel-des-Saintes. In the cruise, the Otter struck trees in IMC conditions, crashed and burned. One of the two occupants sadly was killed and the other seriously injured. The Otter was destroyed.
- by Karl E. Hayes
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"Damned trees"!
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
Thursday, June 18, 2009
It's Time To Play..... Otterflogger's "Name That Cockpit"!
OK, "Ladies and Gentlemen", time for "installment #110" in our "cockpit series", which will be a continuing "brain-strainer".
This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................
***MYSTERY UNSOLVED!***
This is the cockpit of the Helio "Stallion"! "Sailboat fuel" doubles next week!
CLUE - "Rocky" Balboa was known as the "Italian Stallion"!
ARTICLE - Helio Stallion: "Warhorse"!
This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................
***MYSTERY UNSOLVED!***
This is the cockpit of the Helio "Stallion"! "Sailboat fuel" doubles next week!
CLUE - "Rocky" Balboa was known as the "Italian Stallion"!
ARTICLE - Helio Stallion: "Warhorse"!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Steve's Video Of The Day: "Banged-Up" Beaver!
OK, folks, this happened June 7, 2009, at Alaska's famous Lake Hood. Sit back, grab a wobbly pop, watch the vid a couple of times, analyze it, and leave a comment as to the "errors"! I have my own ideas, what are yours........
Cheers,
Steve
Cheers,
Steve
VIDEO -
"Banged-Up" Beaver!Monday, June 15, 2009
Steve's "Otter Of The Week"! .....by Karl E. Hayes
Here is an Otter that served in Burma, only to return to her "homeland" and "crash and burn"! Check it out.......
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
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Otter 383
Otter 383 was delivered to the Union of Burma Air Force on 23rd September 1960 with serial UB655. The Air Force took delivery of nine Otters, three in December 1958 and a further batch of six in 1960/1961. All were packed into crates and shipped to Burma where they were re-assembled and entered service. Burma was subsequently re-named Myanmar. Its Air Force aircraft were reserialled, adopting Burmese numerals, equivalent of the old serial with a '4' prefix and deleting the 'UB'. Thus, UB655 became 4655, depicted on the side of the aircraft in Burmese numerals. The Burmese Otters were withdrawn from service in 1985 and stored. In 1989 six of the Burmese Otters were purchased by Mr Trevor Ross of Vancouver. Five were located at Mingaladon Air Base and one at Hmawbi Air Base. All six were shipped to Vancouver where they were stored in the Aeroflite Industries hangar at the International Airport and offered for sale. They had arrived by early December 1989.
Otter 383 was sold to Jackson Air Services Ltd of Flin Flon, Manitoba to whom it was registered C-FMAJ in February 1990. After more than ten years of service with Jackson Air Service, it was destroyed in an accident on 2nd August 2000. The Otter was departing from an outpost camp at Stevens-Nicklin Lake, Manitoba with a pilot, two camp employees and some camp equipment on board. The local temperature was 27C and the aircraft was near its maximum gross weight. The camp was being evacuated because of the threat of a nearby forest fire. During initial climb, at about 80 feet, the aircraft began to descend, despite the application of full engine power, and it settled into the trees. The occupants were not injured by the crash, but sustained minor injuries exiting the aircraft. The Otter, alas, was destroyed by the impact with the trees and a post crash fire. It was reported that the aircraft had a headwind in proximity to the forest fire on take off, and that it had flown into the area of a tailwind during the initial climb.
- by Karl E. Hayes
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"Damned" forest fires make their own wind! Tonight I "hoist" a cold Molson Dry to a fine old girl's "memory"!
"Cheers"!
C-FMAJ of Jackson Air Services at Flin Flon (Bill Jackson)
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Otter 383
Otter 383 was delivered to the Union of Burma Air Force on 23rd September 1960 with serial UB655. The Air Force took delivery of nine Otters, three in December 1958 and a further batch of six in 1960/1961. All were packed into crates and shipped to Burma where they were re-assembled and entered service. Burma was subsequently re-named Myanmar. Its Air Force aircraft were reserialled, adopting Burmese numerals, equivalent of the old serial with a '4' prefix and deleting the 'UB'. Thus, UB655 became 4655, depicted on the side of the aircraft in Burmese numerals. The Burmese Otters were withdrawn from service in 1985 and stored. In 1989 six of the Burmese Otters were purchased by Mr Trevor Ross of Vancouver. Five were located at Mingaladon Air Base and one at Hmawbi Air Base. All six were shipped to Vancouver where they were stored in the Aeroflite Industries hangar at the International Airport and offered for sale. They had arrived by early December 1989.
Otter 383 was sold to Jackson Air Services Ltd of Flin Flon, Manitoba to whom it was registered C-FMAJ in February 1990. After more than ten years of service with Jackson Air Service, it was destroyed in an accident on 2nd August 2000. The Otter was departing from an outpost camp at Stevens-Nicklin Lake, Manitoba with a pilot, two camp employees and some camp equipment on board. The local temperature was 27C and the aircraft was near its maximum gross weight. The camp was being evacuated because of the threat of a nearby forest fire. During initial climb, at about 80 feet, the aircraft began to descend, despite the application of full engine power, and it settled into the trees. The occupants were not injured by the crash, but sustained minor injuries exiting the aircraft. The Otter, alas, was destroyed by the impact with the trees and a post crash fire. It was reported that the aircraft had a headwind in proximity to the forest fire on take off, and that it had flown into the area of a tailwind during the initial climb.
- by Karl E. Hayes
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Damned" forest fires make their own wind! Tonight I "hoist" a cold Molson Dry to a fine old girl's "memory"!
"Cheers"!
C-FMAJ of Jackson Air Services at Flin Flon (Bill Jackson)
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
It's Time To Play..... Otterflogger's "Name That Cockpit"!
OK, "Ladies and Gentlemen", time for "installment #109" in our "cockpit series", which will be a continuing "brain-strainer".
This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................
***MYSTERY UNSOLVED!***
This is the cockpit of the Avro "Lincoln"! Honourable Mention to Hugh, "sailboat fuel" doubles next week!
CLUE - One of Abraham Lincoln's nicknames was "Rail Splitter"!
This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................
***MYSTERY UNSOLVED!***
This is the cockpit of the Avro "Lincoln"! Honourable Mention to Hugh, "sailboat fuel" doubles next week!
CLUE - One of Abraham Lincoln's nicknames was "Rail Splitter"!
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Steve's "Otter Of The Week"! .....by Karl E. Hayes
Here is an Otter that has had "numerous" contacts with "terra firma", but has soldiered on, and today has a new lease on life, sporting a "fan and a stovepipe". This one is for Mel Johnstone, who at one point "nurtured" this fine ship during his, and her, "storied" careers.
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
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Otter 445
Otter 445 was delivered to Trans Provincial Air Carriers Ltd, Prince Rupert, BC on 8th August 1964 registered CF-RHW. The company was re-named Trans Provincial Airlines Ltd. Otter RHW was to fly for the company for nearly thirty years, serving the mainland of northern BC and also the Queen Charlotte Islands. Its first incident occurred at Rosswood, BC on 1st October 1970 when it collided with trees due to power loss occasioned by a fatigue fracture of the exhaust. It was repaired and re-registered C-FRHW. It met with another accident on 12th June 1981, seven kilometres east of Smithers, BC. As the pilot was trying to climb to overfly a ridge, the Otter started to lose altitude. Application of more power failed to arrest the rate of descent. The aircraft contacted the surface and travelled a short distance before stopping. The pilot believed he had encountered subsiding air. Again it was repaired.
Another incident occurred at Hepla Lake, BC on 4th March 1986. The Otter had just taken off from Bank's Island off the BC coast, en route to Seal Cove, Prince Rupert, carrying seventeen empty fuel drums. A cylinder cracked just after take off, resulting in a dramatic loss of power from the engine, and back-firing. The pilot wisely decided that there was insufficient power to manoeuvre and elected to land on the lake surface that remained ahead. At the end of the lake, the Otter's wing struck a tree and the aircraft veered right into the tress and struck a stump on the shore. In the usual wording of the accident report, it was “substantially damaged”. The 'wreck' was bought back by Trans Provincial Airlines from the insurers for $5,000. It was airlifted by helicopter from the accident site and put on board a barge, and taken to Vancouver where it was rebuilt by Aeroflite Industries. It returned to service with Trans Provincial Airlines and continued flying for them until the company encountered financial difficulty and went into receivership on 19th March 1993.
Otter RHW was flown to Vancouver along with C-FKLC (255) and put into storage. At that stage of its career, RHW had a total airframe time of 18,829 hours, testifying to a very busy existence along BC's Pacific coast. It was sold by the receiver of Trans Provincial Airlines in September 1993 to Hallmark Leasing Corporation of Vancouver, a leasing company of Mr Trevor Ross, who had imported the Burmese Otters back into Canada. The Otter was then leased to Waglisla Air Inc, trading as Wagair, to whom it was registered in October 1993. It was prepared for service and painted in Wagair colour scheme at Vancouver, where it was noted in February 1994 prior to its return to Seal Cove at Prince Rupert, where it entered service with Wagair. After Wagair ceased trading, the Otter was leased to Inland Air Charters Ltd in December 1995, also based at Prince Rupert, which means that RHW has been based at this location for the last forty years. The aircraft is fitted with a larger than usual propeller, taken from a Grumman Albatross, which gives better performance on take off. With Inland Air Charters, the Otter (or a Beaver, depending on the load) is used on a scheduled service from Seal Cove, Prince Rupert to Kitkatla and Oona River, as well as on charters to the many native villages in the area.
*** LATEST UPDATE!***
Otter 445
January 1st, 2008. C-FHRW. Central Flyways Air (Venture Air), Thompson, Manitoba. R-1340.
- by Karl E. Hayes
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Well, we have even more updates to report. C-FRHW now "sports" a Garrett turbine, converted by Recon Air, in Geraldton, Ontario, in 2008. Anyways, check out four pics below, one from her days with TPA, the day I first personally met RHW, and what she looks like today!
- C-FRHW of Trans Provincial Airlines at Vancouver October 1982 (John Kimberley)
The first day I met C-FRHW! October 30, 2006, at Matheson Island, on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba!
- photo by Steve Taylor
"Brr-rrr"!
- photo by Steve Taylor
May 12, 2008. Bobby Bishop of Texas Turbines "running up" RHW after her conversion!
- photo by Steve Taylor
"Cheers"!
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Otter 445
Otter 445 was delivered to Trans Provincial Air Carriers Ltd, Prince Rupert, BC on 8th August 1964 registered CF-RHW. The company was re-named Trans Provincial Airlines Ltd. Otter RHW was to fly for the company for nearly thirty years, serving the mainland of northern BC and also the Queen Charlotte Islands. Its first incident occurred at Rosswood, BC on 1st October 1970 when it collided with trees due to power loss occasioned by a fatigue fracture of the exhaust. It was repaired and re-registered C-FRHW. It met with another accident on 12th June 1981, seven kilometres east of Smithers, BC. As the pilot was trying to climb to overfly a ridge, the Otter started to lose altitude. Application of more power failed to arrest the rate of descent. The aircraft contacted the surface and travelled a short distance before stopping. The pilot believed he had encountered subsiding air. Again it was repaired.
Another incident occurred at Hepla Lake, BC on 4th March 1986. The Otter had just taken off from Bank's Island off the BC coast, en route to Seal Cove, Prince Rupert, carrying seventeen empty fuel drums. A cylinder cracked just after take off, resulting in a dramatic loss of power from the engine, and back-firing. The pilot wisely decided that there was insufficient power to manoeuvre and elected to land on the lake surface that remained ahead. At the end of the lake, the Otter's wing struck a tree and the aircraft veered right into the tress and struck a stump on the shore. In the usual wording of the accident report, it was “substantially damaged”. The 'wreck' was bought back by Trans Provincial Airlines from the insurers for $5,000. It was airlifted by helicopter from the accident site and put on board a barge, and taken to Vancouver where it was rebuilt by Aeroflite Industries. It returned to service with Trans Provincial Airlines and continued flying for them until the company encountered financial difficulty and went into receivership on 19th March 1993.
Otter RHW was flown to Vancouver along with C-FKLC (255) and put into storage. At that stage of its career, RHW had a total airframe time of 18,829 hours, testifying to a very busy existence along BC's Pacific coast. It was sold by the receiver of Trans Provincial Airlines in September 1993 to Hallmark Leasing Corporation of Vancouver, a leasing company of Mr Trevor Ross, who had imported the Burmese Otters back into Canada. The Otter was then leased to Waglisla Air Inc, trading as Wagair, to whom it was registered in October 1993. It was prepared for service and painted in Wagair colour scheme at Vancouver, where it was noted in February 1994 prior to its return to Seal Cove at Prince Rupert, where it entered service with Wagair. After Wagair ceased trading, the Otter was leased to Inland Air Charters Ltd in December 1995, also based at Prince Rupert, which means that RHW has been based at this location for the last forty years. The aircraft is fitted with a larger than usual propeller, taken from a Grumman Albatross, which gives better performance on take off. With Inland Air Charters, the Otter (or a Beaver, depending on the load) is used on a scheduled service from Seal Cove, Prince Rupert to Kitkatla and Oona River, as well as on charters to the many native villages in the area.
*** LATEST UPDATE!***
Otter 445
January 1st, 2008. C-FHRW. Central Flyways Air (Venture Air), Thompson, Manitoba. R-1340.
- by Karl E. Hayes
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, we have even more updates to report. C-FRHW now "sports" a Garrett turbine, converted by Recon Air, in Geraldton, Ontario, in 2008. Anyways, check out four pics below, one from her days with TPA, the day I first personally met RHW, and what she looks like today!
- C-FRHW of Trans Provincial Airlines at Vancouver October 1982 (John Kimberley)
The first day I met C-FRHW! October 30, 2006, at Matheson Island, on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba!
- photo by Steve Taylor
"Brr-rrr"!
- photo by Steve Taylor
May 12, 2008. Bobby Bishop of Texas Turbines "running up" RHW after her conversion!
- photo by Steve Taylor
"Cheers"!
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Steve's Video Of The Day: Words on "D-Day", from the "Great Communicator"!
As you all know, I am a "staunch" supporter of the "Greatest Generation". Men and women without equal. Well, today is my son Shane's 17th birthday, and the anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944. My son pursues life and liberty because of our Veterans. Let's go back to 1984, and President Reagan, to hear some words that are as valid today as when he spoke them.
VIDEO -
Words on "D-Day", from the "Great Communicator"!Wednesday, June 03, 2009
It's Time To Play..... Otterflogger's "Name That Cockpit"!
OK, "Ladies and Gentlemen", time for "installment #108" in our "cockpit series", which will be a continuing "brain-strainer".
This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................
***MYSTERY UNSOLVED!***
This is the cockpit of the Avro 707, a British experimental aircraft built to test the tailless, thick delta wing configuration chosen for the Avro Vulcan. "Sailboat fuel" doubles next week!
This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................
***MYSTERY UNSOLVED!***
This is the cockpit of the Avro 707, a British experimental aircraft built to test the tailless, thick delta wing configuration chosen for the Avro Vulcan. "Sailboat fuel" doubles next week!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Steve's "Otter Of The Week"! .....by Karl E. Hayes
Read the following history about an Otter that was delivered to the Ontario Provincial Air Service the same day as the Otter I currently fly. I guess they would be considered "twin" siblings. ODQ still flies today, with me at her controls, but ODP perished years ago, although through "organ donation", her legend still "flogs the bush".........
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
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Otter 103
Otter 103, registered CF-ODP to the Department of Lands & Forests, was delivered to the Ontario Provincial Air Service (OPAS) on 20th June 1956, based at Sault Ste.Marie, Ontario. It was their fourth Otter, CF-ODJ, 'ODK and 'ODL having been delivered during 1953. One incident is recorded early in the career of ODP. On 4th October 1957 on a regular requisition flight from Shebandown to Port Arthur, the Otter force landed on the Shebandown River near Sunshine, Ontario due to a broken cylinder. The Otter had been carrying two passengers and 300 pounds of cargo. There was no damage and the engine was repaired. As with the other OPAS Otters, number 103 was re-registered on 6th September 1972 to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources as C-FODP and continued to serve the Province's bush country.
Sadly, the Otter came to grief at Nym Lake, Ontario on 23rd July 1976 and was destroyed. Shortly after becoming airborne, the left wing dropped and struck the water. It was a warm, summer's day with a temperature of 23C and a wind of 15 knots. The subsequent report blamed the accident on “improper compensation for wind”. The aircraft turned approximately 150 degrees after the wing struck the water and crashed on the shore of an island. Fire started on impact and consumed most of the aircraft, although there were no injuries to the pilot and four passengers. The wings and rear fuselage were noted at Carp, Ontario in September 1982, to be used in the repair and rebuild of other Otters. The registration C-FODP was officially cancelled in March 1984.
- by Karl E. Hayes
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- C-FODP of OPAS September 1975
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Otter 103
Otter 103, registered CF-ODP to the Department of Lands & Forests, was delivered to the Ontario Provincial Air Service (OPAS) on 20th June 1956, based at Sault Ste.Marie, Ontario. It was their fourth Otter, CF-ODJ, 'ODK and 'ODL having been delivered during 1953. One incident is recorded early in the career of ODP. On 4th October 1957 on a regular requisition flight from Shebandown to Port Arthur, the Otter force landed on the Shebandown River near Sunshine, Ontario due to a broken cylinder. The Otter had been carrying two passengers and 300 pounds of cargo. There was no damage and the engine was repaired. As with the other OPAS Otters, number 103 was re-registered on 6th September 1972 to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources as C-FODP and continued to serve the Province's bush country.
Sadly, the Otter came to grief at Nym Lake, Ontario on 23rd July 1976 and was destroyed. Shortly after becoming airborne, the left wing dropped and struck the water. It was a warm, summer's day with a temperature of 23C and a wind of 15 knots. The subsequent report blamed the accident on “improper compensation for wind”. The aircraft turned approximately 150 degrees after the wing struck the water and crashed on the shore of an island. Fire started on impact and consumed most of the aircraft, although there were no injuries to the pilot and four passengers. The wings and rear fuselage were noted at Carp, Ontario in September 1982, to be used in the repair and rebuild of other Otters. The registration C-FODP was officially cancelled in March 1984.
- by Karl E. Hayes
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- C-FODP of OPAS September 1975
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
