U.S. Navy Fact Sheet

NU-1B Otter  light cargo transport

Description
The NU-1B Otter is a single engine, tail dragger (STOL), fixed wing flying qualities and performance. An all-metal, high-wing monoplane, the NU-1B is powered by a single engine driving a constant speed propeller. The aircraft is designed to carry one pilot and up to ten passengers, one of whom may act as a crew member. Dual rudder pedals and dual control wheels allow the aircraft to be flown from either the left or right flight compartment seat.

Features
The NU-1B is the military version of the deHavilland DHC-3 used for many years by commercial industry for feeder operations, forest patrol, and light cargo transport.

Background
The success with the DHC-2 Beaver persuaded de Havilland Canada, in the late 1940s, that there was room in the STOL utility market for a larger version of the Beaver, with cabin space for some 14 passengers or a freight load of up to 2,240 lbs. The company therefore developed the DHC-3 Otter. The prototype first flew on December 12, 1951, and the first deliveries of the airplane were made in 1952. The choice of a single engine for an aircraft designed to operate in Canada's harsh climate and sparsely populated hinterland regions may seem lacking in forethought, however, successful operations by the Beaver and other single-engine airplanes had confirmed that the well-proven radials of Pratt & Whitney design were more than adequate for the task; they were universally familiar and, more importantly, were extremely reliable. Like the Beaver, the Otter could operate on wheel, ski, float, or amphibious float landing gears.