CIA, spies and Vietnam: The murky history behind Harrison Ford's favorite private aircraft
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Harrison Ford is not just one of the biggest movie stars of our time, but also a proud owner of a remarkable garage. The garage is a treasure trove of sorts as it is filled with '50s-'60s sports cars, motorcycles and magnificent flying machines, reminiscent of his iconic movie roles in 'American Graffiti' and 'Indiana Jones'.
Among his many vintage aircraft, the de Havilland Beaver holds a special place in his heart, thanks to its distinctive Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engine sound. Ford's plane was reportedly flown in the CIA's Air America operations and was even peppered with bullet holes that had to be repaired. In addition, he is a committed supporter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, and he has taken numerous schoolchildren on their very first flights.
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Harrison Ford's passion for aviation
Although Ford is known for his passion for aviation and impressive collection of planes, his journey to becoming a skilled pilot was not easy. Despite initially starting to learn how to fly in the '60s, the high cost of training forced him to abandon his dream. It wasn't until after he found success in Hollywood that he returned to the skies, flying a Cessna 182 with the help of one of his corporate pilots in the '90s. After upgrading to a Cessna 206, he completed his first solo flight and obtained his private pilot's certificate at the age of 53. Ford has since put his flying skills to good use, participating in mountain rescues with his Bell 407 and serving as the Young Eagles volunteer chairman from 2004 to 2009. Despite some high-profile incidents, including accidental landings on a taxiway and runway crossings without permission, Ford continues to use his fame to promote aviation and inspire others to take to the skies.
What is the story behind the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver aircraft?
The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, designed and built in Canada, was the first all-metal bush aircraft of its kind. It was created to meet the demands of Canadian bush operators, resulting in a versatile plane that could be equipped with wheels, skies and floats to suit a variety of operating conditions. Its high-lift wing and flap configuration make it an ideal aircraft for short take-offs and landings, even with heavy loads. The Beaver was deployed by the British Army Air Corps during the Troubles, at least until 1979, for reconnaissance missions. One of them was hit seven times by machine gun fire near the border with the Republic of Ireland in November 1979, while taking photos of an IRA checkpoint. Among others, the Civil Air Patrol also operated many DHC-2 Beaver, which was commonly used for conducting search and rescue missions.[
The Beaver remains an iconic aircraft to this day.
The first Beaver
On August 16, 1947, the prototype of the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, registered as CF-FHB, took off from the de Havilland Factory at Downsview, Ontario. Russ Brannock piloted the aircraft, which was named after one of its two designers, Frederick Howard Buller. Buller, a former naval architect turned aeronautical engineer and a member of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame, was the inspiration behind the initial "F" in the aircraft's registration. CF-FHB flew for 32 years across Western Canada before it was acquired by the Museum from Norcanair in 1980.
How did the de Havilland Beaver transform from a bush aircraft to a global success?
Initially designed as a bush aircraft, the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver became a hit in over 60 countries. It was also widely used by the US Army and Air Force, winning a utility aircraft competition in 1951. In 1958, a Beaver from the Royal New Zealand Air Force supported Sir Edmund Hillary's South Pole expedition. Between 1947 and 1968, 1692 Beavers were manufactured. Over 900 of the 1657 Beavers made are still airborne, having served in 37 countries, including the US. In 2022, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre commemorated the 75th anniversary of the de Havilland Beaver's first flight with live music, model-building sessions, and cake. With its versatility and ruggedness, this aircraft has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the most capable bush planes ever built.