Canadian Car and Foundry
CBY-3
The CBY‑3 was a post‑war utility aircraft produced by Canadian Car and Foundry (CCF) from 1947 to 1950. Derived from the British de Havilland Canada DHC‑2 Beaver, the CBY‑3 incorporated a strengthened fuselage, a larger 450‑horsepower Pratt & Whitney R‑985 radial engine and a high‑lift wing with slotted flaps, giving it superior short‑take‑off and landing capability on rugged northern strips. Only 34 examples were completed before the program was cancelled in favour of the more refined DHC‑3 Otter, but the CBY‑3 played a pivotal role in demonstrating CCF’s capacity to adapt licensed designs for Canadian conditions. The aircraft served primarily with the Royal Canadian Air Force’s northern transport squadrons, where its robust steel tube frame and interchangeable ski, float or wheel undercarriage proved invaluable for supply missions to remote out‑posts. Although short‑lived, the CBY‑3 established design principles—such as high‑lift devices and modular landing gear—that influenced later CCF models and cemented the company's reputation as a leading bush‑plane manufacturer. Its legacy endures in the continued popularity of rugged, multi‑role aircraft for Arctic and wilderness operations. A handful of surviving airframes are displayed in Canadian aviation museums, where they serve as tangible reminders of the nation’s pioneering northern flight program.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 1
- First Flight
- 1945