U-1A Otter

U-1A Otter. . , Developed by DeHavilland of Canada, the U-1A was built as a larger version of the successful U-6A Beaver. The Army began purchasing the aircraft in 1955 and planned on using this all-metal, high wing plane as a light tactical transport. Its role as a transport soon gained it the nickname of the "airborne one-ton truck" due to its 2,240 pound cargo capacity. The Otter was a versatile aircraft and could be adapted for use in the arctic or tropics in addition to normal missions by using wheels, skids, or floats., The Otter was one of the first types of Army aircraft deployed to South Vietnam in February 1962. This aircraft represents a U-1 Otter aircraft that was assigned to the 18th Aviation Company, 45th Transportation Battalion which served in Vietnam from July 1, 1962 until September 24, 1963. Otters would serve in Vietnam throughout the entire war and in other regions across the globe for over 20 years., DeHavilland ceased production of the Otter in 1968 with 468 aircraft having been built. Of those aircraft, 223 had been produced under the designation U-1A for the United States Army. The U-1A Otter, 55-3270, displayed here was used by the United States Army Aviation Logistics School, Fort Eustis, for training purposes after returning from Vietnam. It was declared excess in 1973 and transferred to the museum.