Noorduyn Norseman
Noorduyn Aviation · Canada · first flew 1935 · transport aircraft
The Noorduyn Norseman is a Canadian utility transport aircraft designed specifically for operations in remote wilderness conditions, capable of operating on wheels, skis, or floats. It became a workhorse of bush aviation in North America.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.86 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Strut-braced high-wing bush transport with radial engine
- Large cabin door for cargo and bush operations
- Interchangeable wheel, ski, and float undercarriage
A braced high-wing monoplane with a very large radial engine, a capacious rectangular-section fuselage with a large cargo door, and an interchangeable undercarriage system.
Specifications
- The Noorduyn Norseman has a length of 9.86 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.75 m (52 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 253 km/h (157 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 + up to 9 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Robert Noorduyn and first flown in 1935, the Norseman was adopted by the Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War for utility transport duties. Over 900 were built, and the type is unfortunately remembered as the aircraft in which Glenn Miller disappeared over the English Channel in 1944.
Variants
The Mk I through Mk VI differed mainly in powerplant, progressing through various Pratt & Whitney Wasp and Wright Whirlwind radials; the Mk V and VI were the most common wartime versions.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the RCAF, USAAF, and numerous civil operators in Canada, Alaska, and other remote regions; a small number remain in commercial float-plane service today.
Related aircraft
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