De Havilland 'Beaver' National Historic Event
Toronto, Ontario
De Havilland 'Beaver'
(© Parks Canada Database)
Address :
123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Toronto, Ontario
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1974-11-15
Other Name(s):
-
De Havilland 'Beaver'
(Designation Name)
Research Report Number:
1974-001
Importance:
Single engine highwing aircraft developed for bush flying in 1946
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: DeHavilland Aircraft office 123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario
The "Beaver" was developed in 1946 at Downsview under P.C. Garratt of DeHavilland Canada for flying in the Canadian north. The single engine, high wing monoplane, built for bush work, achieved world-wide civil and military sales. Used in some 60 countries from the Arctic to the Antarctic, it served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. It was noted for its simplicity, ruggedness and short take-off and landing ability. Over half of the 1,692 produced from 1947 to 1968 were sold to the U.S. armed forces. Designed and built without government aid, the "Beaver" was an ideal workhorse of the air.