Otter 294 was delivered to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) on 5 November 1959 registered VP-FAK. It was packed into a crate at Downsview and shipped to Deception Island in the Antarctic on board the MV Kista Dan, arriving 26 January 1960. First flight in the Antarctic was on 3 February 1960. It made its last flight from Adelaide Island to Deception Island on 7 March 1967. The Deception Island base was closed due to a volcanic eruption in December 1967. VP-FAK remained at Deception Island, lying outside the abandoned hangar. It was still to be seen there in 2004, thirty-seven years later.

This former Kenmore Air DHC-3T Otter, N708KA, was delivered to Key West Seaplane Adventures on March 18, 2023 and was photographed at Key West International Airport on May 13, 2023 with Kenmore Air titles still visible on rear fuselage. The aircraft was originally delivered to the RCAF in Dec. 1954 as 3692. Following retirement in 1980, its as exported to the USA in January 1983 as N2634Y and flew in the US until 2001 when it returned to Canada as C-GIWQ. It was sold to Kenmore Air in 2014 and registered N2634Y and later N708KA in 2015 when it was converted to turbine. For more history, see http://www.dhc-3archive.com/DHC-3_59.html

This DHC-3T Turbo Otter was originally delivered to Stanolind Oil & Gas Company of Fort Nelson, BC. in March 1960 as CF-NFI. It mostly operated in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario for the next 54 years until converted to turbine in about 2010. Exported to Alaska in about May 2024 as N379PM and entered service with Key West Seaplane Adventures by early 2015. More more historical info, see http://www.dhc-3archive.com/DHC-3_379.html

DHC-3T Otter N435B was one of three DHC-3T Turbo Otters flying for Key West Seaplane Adventures in May 2023. The aircraft mostly fly tourists between Key West Airport and Fort Jefferson and Dry Tortugas, 70 miles to the west. Otter msn 183 was delivered to the RCAF in Dec. 1956 as 3743 and served with 115 Air Transport Unit, a UN support unit based in Egypt between about 1955 and 1961. Retired by the RCAF in 1965, it became CF-WJB. Converted by Airtech Canada to a Pezetel 3S engine in 1980. For more history, see http://www.dhc-3archive.com/DHC-3_183.html

Docked at its Baie-Comeau base. Delivered new to the US Army in 1960 as 59-2215. Became N5335G with the Civil Air Patrol in 1976. Registered C-GVNX with Labrador Air Safari in 1978. Joined Air Saguenay in 2010, but still based at Baie-Comeau and carrying Labrador Air Safari colours and titles as before. Vazar turbine conversion to PT6A power was carried out in 2012. Moved to Air Tindi at Yellowknife, NWT, in 2018.

Ordered by Widerøs Flyveselskap & Polarfly A/S and destined to become LN-SUV, this Otter was damaged in transit to Norway and returned to DHC. Sold to Imperial Oil in October 1954 after repair, it operated for a long list of Canadian operators after 1969. The first Walter M601 turbine Otter conversion in 1999, the aircraft is pictured with Blue Water Aviation Services.

US Army 55-3282 was taken on strength June 26, 1956. Among five Otters supplied to the Fuerza Aerea de Nicaragua (FAN-1012) in 1971, it crashed in the 70s. Rebuilt in Duncan, BC, the aircraft was registered N8510Q in 1980 and sold privately as N58JH in 1981. Sold to Glacier Bay Airways in 1989, the aircraft was acquired by Ketchikan Air Service in 1990 and converted to a Turbine Otter. Chartered to Adventure Network International, it crashed in Antarctica on November 3, 1992. Currently registered to Kenmore Air at the time of uploading, but the main aircraft parts remain in Antarctica.

Sitting engineless at her homebase. Operated by Alaska West Air.

ex C-GLJH. Converted to a Turbo-Otter with a Polish PZL-engine by Plummer's Lodge (Winnipeg). Also has a VIP-interior. Operated by Alaska West Air.

Accident on December 29, 2009 at Vomo Island. Withdrawn from use and returned to Canada as C-GHAQ. Peter Ricketts photo

Docked at its Baie-Comeau base. Delivered new to the US Army in 1956 as 55-3297. Served in Vietnam with the 54th Aviation Company at Vung Tau. Converted to civilian configuration by 1975, when it joined Labrador Air Safari, serving for forty years until sold in 2015. Put into storage with Recon Air at Geraldton, Ontario, for subsequent turbine conversion.

Delivered to Atlas Aviation in February 1965, this Otter was quickly put to work in the High Arctic based in Resolute Bay NT. On July 17, 1971, it crashed into a hill on remote Browne Island enroute to Rae Point in deteriorating weather conditions. The pilot did not survive and the aircraft mostly burned out. In 1974 the wreckage was sold in the USA and surprisingly appeared on the US register as N90758 in 1990. Stored at Sedro Woolley, WA, the intent was to rebuild an Otter around the data plate using parts of other aircraft, but as far as I can tell, the wreck remains stored.

Later to N3125N, then C-FAXD. Photo by Fred Guthrie.

DHC-3 Otter N90575 (msn 302) was delivered new to the US Army as U-1A, 58-1692, in December 1958 and later served in Vietnam. One of two Harold Hanson bought from Stockton, CA in 1974 and restored at Boeing Field. I photographed it a couple times in 1975-1976 at Boeing Field before and after Hanson sold it to Frontier Flying Service in Alaska. In December 1976 it was on amphibious floats parked in a tight spot next to Hanson's hangar. Now flies as DHC-3T, C-GMDG, with Fort Frances Sportsmen Airways at a float base east of Ft. Frances, Ontario. See http://www.dhc-3archive.com/DHC-3_302.html

Getting towed down to Harbour Air's hangar this afternoon. Hopefully this one flies again and wasn't cannibalized for parts. Reg/serial is unknown.