De Havilland DHC-2 "Beaver"

"Beaver" is a high-wing multipurpose hydroplane with non-retractable classic landing gear and floats. Immediately after the end of the Second World War, the management of De Havilland Canada correctly estimated that the demand for military aircraft would decline and based on research, they decided to develop and design an aircraft with the ability to quickly change wheels, floats or skis and to be able to fly above large expanses of Canada, on unprepared terrains for take-off and landing. The prototype flew in August 1947 with flying ace Russell Bannock at the controls and was nicknamed the "Beaver" because of his diligence.

A key moment occurred when the US Army, due to the outbreak of the Korean War, was trading Cessna 195s and ordered nearly 1.000 Beavers. Soon other countries started buying this plane. It was used in several dozen countries, including Yugoslavia. Although production ceased in 1967, these planes are still flying, and are increasingly being used both for leisure and sport. It is very popular in Hollywood where it is used for shooting movies and the famous actor Harrison Ford is among the many owners of the Beaver.

As part of the military aid program, during 1954 three aircraft of this type were procured in Canada for the Yugoslav Air Force for the purposes of maintaining courier connections, reconnaissance and emergency transport of people and cargo. They came to the country by ship and were soon included in the 122nd Liaison Hydro Squadron in Divulje near Split. During the many years of service on these planes, numerous modifications were made, such as changing the way the doors were hung so that they could be quickly discarded in case of emergency. After more than two decades of successful service, in 1974 the decision was made to decommission both remaining Beavers. The exhibited aircraft (reg.no.70101, fab.no.587) was assigned to the Museum after the withdrawal from sevice. Before it flew from the hydro-base in Divulje to Belgrade Airport, its floats were replaced by landing gear with wheels.