NU-1B Otter

Last updated: 13 Sep 2021

Point of Contact
Naval Air Systems Command
Public Affairs Office

47123 Buse Road
Unit IPT Bldg. 2272, Suite 075
Patuxent River, MD 20670-5440

(301) 757-1487

Description
The NU-1B Otter is a single engine, tail dragger aircraft used to demonstrate fixed wing short takeoff and landing (STOL), flying qualities and performance. The aircraft is designed to carry one or two pilots and up to ten passengers, one of whom may act as a crew member.

Features
The NU-1B Otter is used to train test pilots in low speed aircraft handling and flight characteristics. An all-metal, high-wing monoplane, the Otter is powered by a single P&W R-1340 radial engine driving a constant speed propeller. Dual rudder pedals and dual control wheels allow the aircraft to be flown from either the left or right flight compartment seat. It 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.

Service
Navy

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Trainer and Utility

Contractor: deHavilland

Date Deployed: 1952

Propulsion: (1) 600hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S1H1-G

Length: 41 feet 10 inches

Height: 12 feet 5 inches

Wingspan: 58 feet

Weight: 4,900 pounds; Gross Weight is 8,000 pounds

Airspeed: 153 miles per hour

Ceiling: 18,000 feet

Range: Maximum: 875 miles with 2,100-lb. payload and reserves

Crew: One pilot

Armament: None

Point of Contact
Naval Air Systems Command
Public Affairs Office

47123 Buse Road
Unit IPT Bldg. 2272, Suite 075
Patuxent River, MD 20670-5440

(301) 757-1487

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