Canadian Virtual War Memorial
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Rivire des Prairies, Quebec
de Havilland Canada Otter
de Havilland CC-123 Otter formation, No. 438 Squadron, RCAF, over Montreal, Quebec.
The de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter is a single-engined, high-wing, propeller-driven, short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft. It was conceived to be capable of performing the same roles as the earlier and highly successful Beaver, including as a bushplane, but is overall a larger aircraft.
The DHC-3/CC-123/CSR-123 Otter was used until 1980 by the RCAF and its successor, CF Air Command. It was used in Search and Rescue, as the "CSR" denotes Canadian Search (and) Rescue (type 123) and as a light utility transport, "CC" denoting Canadian Cargo. During the Suex Crisis, the Canadian government provided assistance to the UN Emergency Force (UNEF). HMCS Magnificent carried 4 Otters from Halifax to Port Said, Egypt, early in 1957, with all four flying off unassisted while the ship was at anchor. This was the only occasion when RCAF fixed wing aircraft operated from a Canadian warship. It was also operated on floats on water and skis for winter operations on snow. The EDO floats also had wheels for use on runways (amphibious). It was used as army support dropping supplies by parachute, and also non-parachute low-speed, low-altitude air drops, to support the Canadian Army on manoeuvres. In the end it was operated by the Primary Air Reserve in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Winnipeg, with approximately 10 aircraft at each base, as well as by the RSU (Regular (Forces) Support Units) at those bases. It was usually flown with a single pilot (Commissioned Officer) in the left seat and a Technical Air Crewman (NCO) in the right seat. The Kiowa helicopter replaced it in Air Reserve squadrons.
Although the Otter found ready acceptance in bush airlines, as in a similar scenario to the DHC-2 Beaver, the US Army soon became the largest operator of the aircraft (184 delivered as the U-1A Otter). Other military users included Australia, and India, but the primary role of the aircraft as a rugged bush plane continues to this day.
An Otter crossed the South Pole in 1957 (see Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition). The Otter is also popular in the skydiving community and can be found in many dropzones throughout the world. Harold Skaarup web page
Otter
Wikipedia Otter
Harold A Skaarup Web PageCASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (70), Canadian Aircraft Losses (5)Otter 9403
Served with No. 402 Squadron (Auxiliary), at Stevenson Field, Manitoba from the 1960s. Still with this Squadron after Integration. Capt. J.G.A.J. Petiti killed in aan inceident with this aircraft on 20 December 1980, while it was being operatred by No. 438 Air Reserve Squadron. To civil register as C-GMLB. Owned by a variety of commercial operators in northern Ontario, including 382820 Ontario Ltd. In late 1980s, Huron Air and Waweig Lake Outfitters in 1990s, and Wilderness North Air in 2000. Converted to turboprop by 2002, when it was exported to the US. On US register as N10708, registered to Northern Aircraft Leasing of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Back to Canada by 2004 as C-GMLB, with Wilderness North Air. Registration to Fort Francis Sportsmen Airways cancelled on 22 April 2015.
1960-03-18 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1981-12-09 Struck off Strength Struck off, sold 2019-08-20
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