Here is an example of the Rockwell Canadian 100, C-FSWD, in Wardair livery as seen in 1985.
The Canadian was built after
Max Ward put a RFI to replace the Beaver for a freight optimized one or two engine turbo prop which could withstand the rough conditions found north of 60 degrees. This included wheels, skiis, floats and a good STOL characteristics.
Note Wardair flew:
2 de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter - 1970
5 de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter - 1953-1972 and 1979–1985
2 de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver - 1954-1968 (includes Turbine Beaver model)
Max reviewed the Beaver, Otter and Twin Otter. Wardair wanted something which would provide most of the capability of the Beaver but also have flexibility to get into really remote and poor condition air fields. Having two engines helps up north is never a bad thing.
The Rockwell lads put their noggins together, took the base OV-10, moved the main landing to fuselage (used the existing gun sponson as the internal structure) and strengthen to nose gear to support skis. Larger low pressure tires were used.
The space where the main gear retracted was fitted with a small space heater to heat up the engine compartment.
The ejection seats were kept but the rocket was removed. The 2nd seat could be removed for extra cargo space.
A retractable sun shield was added.
Anti-icing boots were added to the wings.
Build Notes
I removed the gun sponson.
The landing gear is from a DHC-6 Twin Otter. Once attached, I had to build up the space between the fairings.
The skis barely fit. Need to removed pieces and add others bits to make them look closer to the real thing.
Piano wire was used to represent the bungie cords used to prevent the skis from fluttering around in flight
The canopy is 4 pieces: Top, wind screen and 2 sides. Real pain in the butt-ski. I used thin white decal strips as the canopy frame. Painted the inside green to represent a retractable sun shield.
Not enough space in the nose for lead weights. It is still a tail sitter.
Bill of Materials
Hasegawa OV-10
Landing gear from a Matchbox DHC-6 Twin Otter
Tamiya Spray bomb for the white and the gloss finish
Hairy stick painted trim
Decals from OV-10, 1/200 Wardair A-300 and decal strips
Piano wire
