Cox Air Resources Ltd.

[gapper]

I've been reading from The De Havilland Canada Story..author Fred W. Hotson, and came across a mention of a company in Edmonton, Cox Air Resources Ltd. Its stated that they were converting the Piston Otter to a turbine conversion, sometime in the early 1980's.If anyone has any information to share with us, and possibly some pictures that would sure be appreciated.

[Driving Rain]

A little off the topic but speaking of Turbine Otters...
Back it the 1970's the OMNR's Ontario Provincial Air Service thought very seriously about converting single Otters to turbine powered. They went so far as to engineer the drawings to do such a conversion in house at Sault Ste. Marie. When I was hired the drawings were still in the office.
I asked some of the old timers why they hadn't pursued it.
Apparently it was politics. DeHaviland was in the business of manufacturing and selling Twin Otters and they told the Ontario Gumitup of the day that they would refuse to support the aircraft after conversion. At the time the OMNR fleet included 24 otters, and they ( DeHav) wanted to sell them Twins.
Their 1340 powered otters on EDO water bombing floats could carry about 300 lb's more to a range of 600 miles than their 300 series Twins on CAP water bombing floats, all be it slower.
The engineers told me that the converted otter could be modified to carry 450 imp gallon water bombing floats. That's the same load as the as their twins now carry on amphibs.
The single otter was a great little water bomber on low to medium intensity fires. It had a mini 215 drop pattern.

In the end, I'm glad DeHaviland pressured the government to not convert right after
the OMNR bought their first two CL-215's in 1981 and I've benefited.... [another story. ]

I can't be sure but I think the OMNR sold their drawings and what ever else they'd done on the otter to Cox in 1975 or so.
It really wasn't until DeHavilnd kicked their old designs loose that modifications to turbine really started to take off. A great way for DeHaviland to reduce to zero product liability on old designs while forging ahead on newer.

[hoghead]

I remember seeing the Cox DHC 3 frame at Boeing Field in 88/89 minus wings, tail and engine. I hope it helps, I did get a look at it when he had it in YXD in 79 (I think).

[Cat Driver]

In 1971 Ray Cox and I recovered CF-BZI one of NWT's DC3's off Summerset Island and flew it to Resolute bay just before Christmas.

Took us fifty nine days to get it flying, most of the time in twenty fours a day in darkness.

BZI is now in Calgary parked in the museum, I still stop to look at it and remember how difficult the recovery was.

Ray started the Otter turbine conversion after that and I can't remember if he ever actually finished it.

[GA MX Trainer Dude]

First aircraft was CF-MES - Ex Gateway Airline aircraft.

Info here:

http://flythebush.blogspot.com/2007/05/ ... es_12.html

I met Ray about 1980 or thereabouts and remember him as a very confident and competent person - He must have been devastated at the final outcome.

He like so many others paved the way for the followers - yet received no credit for the foresight of a turbine powered Otter aircraft that we pretty much take for granted today. It might be a long time after the events but acknowledgement for the concept really needs to go to Ray.

MX

[Byroncox]

Are you still looking for info. My father is still in Seattle.
Email me byron.cox@me.com

[P180]

A little off the topic but speaking of Turbine Otters...
Back it the 1970's the OMNR's Ontario Provincial Air Service thought very seriously about converting single Otters to turbine powered. They went so far as to engineer the drawings to do such a conversion in house at Sault Ste. Marie. When I was hired the drawings were still in the office.
I asked some of the old timers why they hadn't pursued it.
Apparently it was politics. DeHaviland was in the business of manufacturing and selling Twin Otters and they told the Ontario Gumitup of the day that they would refuse to support the aircraft after conversion. At the time the OMNR fleet included 24 otters, and they ( DeHav) wanted to sell them Twins.
Their 1340 powered otters on EDO water bombing floats could carry about 300 lb's more to a range of 600 miles than their 300 series Twins on CAP water bombing floats, all be it slower.
The engineers told me that the converted otter could be modified to carry 450 imp gallon water bombing floats. That's the same load as the as their twins now carry on amphibs.
The single otter was a great little water bomber on low to medium intensity fires. It had a mini 215 drop pattern.

In the end, I'm glad DeHaviland pressured the government to not convert right after
the OMNR bought their first two CL-215's in 1981 and I've benefited.... [another story. ]

I can't be sure but I think the OMNR sold their drawings and what ever else they'd done on the otter to Cox in 1975 or so.
It really wasn't until DeHavilnd kicked their old designs loose that modifications to turbine really started to take off. A great way for DeHaviland to reduce to zero product liability on old designs while forging ahead on newer.

Well I flew for the MNR for 25 years and this is the first I have ever heard of it but I will ask around about it..

[CamAero]

The engineers told me that the converted otter could be modified to carry 450 imp gallon water bombing floats.

4500 lbs?

That doesn't sound quite right.

[Rowdy]

The engineers told me that the converted otter could be modified to carry 450 imp gallon water bombing floats.

4500 lbs?

That doesn't sound quite right.

Remember.. HA and a few others fly the otter around at 9000lbs with passengers/bags/fuel on a daily basis… Now remove all of those lawsuits from the airframe and make it water. Seems plausible from that standpoint.

What do Conair/airspray operate their convairs/electras at? how far above the standard MTOW are they operated with a load on?

[Driving Rain]

Well I flew for the MNR for 25 years and this is the first I have ever heard of it but I will ask around about it..[/quote]


I flew for them for 30 years.

[Driving Rain]

The engineers told me that the converted otter could be modified to carry 450 imp gallon water bombing floats.

4500 lbs?

That doesn't sound quite right.

A piston Otter can legally carry more than a 300 series twin otter if both are fuelled for max range.
Dump the heavy radial, install a light PT6 and it is do able. Of course not for the entire mission.