De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver vs De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
The de Havilland DHC-3 Otter and DHC-2 Beaver are the classic single-engine bush haulers — the Beaver is the legendary medium bush plane; the Otter is its larger, higher-capacity big brother.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
- For sale now
- 24
- Median asking
- $712,000
- Range
- $339,250–$1,243,500
- Model years available
- 1951–1967
No active listings right now.
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver | De Havilland DHC-3 Otter |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $339,250 – $1,243,500 | — |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | — |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 10 |
| Horsepower | 450 HP | 600 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 110 kts (204 km/h) | 120 kts (222 km/h) |
| Range | 455 nm (843 km) | 830 nm (1,537 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | — | 8,000 lbs (3,629 kg) |
| Useful Load | 2,100 lbs (953 kg) | 3,000 lbs (1,361 kg) |
| Fuel Burn | 25.0 GPH (95 L/h) | 35.0 GPH (132 L/h) |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Which Should You Buy: De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver or De Havilland DHC-3 Otter?
Bottom line: Choose the Beaver for the iconic medium bush/float plane with the deepest legacy and mod ecosystem. Choose the Otter for greater payload and cabin in the same rugged bush tradition — especially turbine-converted for serious load-hauling.
Pick the DHC-2 Beaver if…
Pick the DHC-3 Otter if…
- More seats — 10 vs 6.
- Faster cruise — 120 kts vs 110 kts.
- Longer range — 830 nm vs 455 nm.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.