https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noorduyn_Norseman
The Noorduyn Norseman is a Canadian single-engine bush plane designed to operate
from unimproved surfaces. Distinctive stubby landing gear protrusions from the
lower fuselage make it easily recognizable.
Originally introduced in 1935, the Norseman remained in production for almost 25
years with over 900 produced. A number of examples remain in commercial and
private use to this day. Norseman aircraft are known to have been registered
and/or operated in 68 countries throughout the world and also have been based
and flown in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Designed by Robert B.C. Noorduyn, the Noorduyn Norseman was produced from 1935
to 1959, originally by Noorduyn Aircraft Ltd. and later by the Canada Car and
Foundry company.
With the experience of working on many ground-breaking designs at Fokker,
Bellanca and Pitcairn-Cierva, Noorduyn decided to create his own design in 1934,
the Noorduyn Norseman. Along with his colleague, Walter Clayton, Noorduyn
created his original company, Noorduyn Aircraft Limited in early 1933 at
Montreal while a successor company bearing the name, Noorduyn Aviation, was
established in 1935.
Noorduyn's vision of an ideal bush plane began with a high-wing monoplane
airframe to facilitate loading and unloading passengers and cargo at seaplane
docks and airports; next, a Canadian operator utilizing existing talents,
equipment and facilities should be able to make money using it; last, it should
be all-around superior to those already in use there.
From the outset, Noorduyn designed his transport to have interchangeable wheel,
ski or twin-float landing gear. Unlike most aircraft designs, the Norseman was
first fitted with floats, then skis and, finally, fixed landing gear.
The final design looked much like Noorduyn's earlier Fokker designs, a high-wing
braced monoplane with an all-welded steel tubing fuselage. Attached wood
stringers carried a fabric skin. Its wing was all fabric covered wood, except
for steel tubing flaps and ailerons. The divided landing gear were fitted to
fuselage stubs; legs were secured with two bolts each to allow the alternate
arrangement of floats or skis. The tail wheel strut could be fitted with a wheel
or tail skid.
Role
General aviation aircraft
Manufacturer
Noorduyn Aircraft Ltd
Designer
Robert B.C. Noorduyn
First flight
November 14, 1935
Status
42 registered in Canada, unknown worldwide
Primary user
Bush plane operators worldwide
Number built
904, including prototypes
The first Norseman, powered by a Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind, was flight tested on
floats on November 14, 1935 and was sold and delivered to Dominion Skyways Ltd.
1941, Warner Brothers leased CF-AYO for the filming of "Captains of the Clouds"
starring James Cagney. Principal aerial photography took place near North Bay,
Ontario with CF-AYO carrying temporary registration "CF-HGO." CF-AYO was lost in
a crash in Algonquin Park in 1952. Its wreckage currently is on display at the
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
Almost immediately, the Norseman proved itself to be a rugged, reliable
workhorse with steady sales. The first aircraft, CF-AYO, was designated the
Norseman Mk I. The next aircraft, "CF-BAU," having some minor changes required
after the certification tests, and a new Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp SC-1 engine
up-rated from 420 to 450 hp, was designated Norseman Mk II while the next three
aircraft were Norseman Mk IIIs: "CF-AZA" going to MacKenzie Air Service,
Edmonton, Alberta, "CF-AZE" to Prospector Airways, Clarkson, Ontario and
"CF-AZS" to Starrat Airways, Hudson, Ontario. "CF-BAU" would be modified on June
26, 1937 to become the prototype Norseman Mk IV, powered by a Pratt & Whitney
Wasp S3H-1. The Mk IV became the "definitive" model but the production run might
have ended at a few hundred examples if not for the advent of the Second World
War.
Specifications (Norseman Mark V)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Capacity: 10
Length: 32 ft 4 in (9.86 m)
Wingspan: 51 ft 6 in (15.70 m)
Height: 10 ft 1 in (3.07 m)
Wing area: 325 sq ft (30.2 m2)
Airfoil: NACA 2412
Empty weight: 4,240 lb (1,923 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 7,400 lb (3,357 kg) 7,540 with floats
Fuel capacity: 242
engine, 600 hp (450 kW) Power Loading 12.3 lb/hp
Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard, 9 ft 0.75 in (2.7623 m) diameterPower
Loading 12.3 lb/hp
Performance
Cruise speed: 150 mph; 241 km/h (130 kn) KTAS @ 10,000ft
Stall speed: 68 mph; 109 km/h (59 kn)
Range: 932 mi; 1,500 km (810 nmi) @ 10,000ft
Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,200 m)
Rate of climb: 591 ft/min (3.00 m/s)
Wing loading: 22.8 lb/sq ft (111 kg/m2)
Best rate of climb (Vy) 87 knots (161 km/h)
Maximum - Flaps extended (Vfe) 94 knots (174 km/h)
Maximum - operating (Vmo) 130 knots (241 km/h)/141 mph (wheels), 138 mph (skis),
134 mph (floats)
Stall, clean (Vs1) 65 knots (120 km/h)
Stall, landing configuration (Vso) 59 knots (109 km/h)
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