UC-64

UC-64 Norseman is a Canadian light transport aircraft designed by Noorduyn Aircraft Ltd, founded in Canada in 1935.

Design of a multipurpose medium transport aircraft, adapted to operate in the harsh climate of the Canadian winter, began in 1934, before the company was founded. Designated Noorduyn Norseman I, the prototype made its maiden flight on November 14, 1935. It was a strut-braced high-wing aircraft, had a fixed landing gear with a tail wheel and was powered by the Canadian Wright R-975-E3 radial engine with 420 hp. Provided for the installation of a ski or float landing gear, which made this aircraft versatile. A two-seater, closed, heated, in-line pilot's cockpit was located in front of the wing center section, and behind and below it was a cabin for eight passengers.

The original production variant was the Norseman II, with minor modifications from the prototype, but it soon became clear that the Wright engine lacked power, leading to the Norseman III with a 450hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp SC engine. (only three aircraft built) and a Norseman IV with a 550 hp Pratt-Whitney S3H1 engine. or R-1340-AN-1 Play. The same power plant was used on the Norseman V and Norseman VI aircraft. At the beginning of 1946. Canadian Car & Foundry (CCF) acquired the rights to manufacture and sell Norseman aircraft. She then developed the only prototype aircraft, the Norseman VII, with an all-metal wing and tail unit and an extended cockpit. But, although this aircraft took off in 1951, no production samples were built. In May 1953. CCF sold all rights to the Norseman aircraft to specially formed Noorduyn Norseman Aircraft Ltd, which has since continued to provide production support to the 50 aircraft still in service. The total production of Noorduyn and CCF companies is about 900 aircraft.

Deliveries to the Canadian Air Force began in 1938 with four Norseman IVs, which were used as unradiated training aircraft under the designation Norseman Mk IVW. After the outbreak of World War II, additional deliveries were made. The main buyer was the United States Air Force, which, after testing a single Norseman IV, purchased it and six others under the designation YC-64. Subsequent contracts for Norseman V aircraft reached 749 aircraft, first designated C-64A and later UC-64A. Three of this number were transferred to the US Navy, which designated them as JA-1, and under the designation UC-64B, six aircraft with two floats were used in the army. Other military users of Norsman aircraft were the Air Forces of Australia, Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, Dutch East India, Norway and Sweden.

Photo	Description
	Drawing UC-64A

Bibliography

• Aircraft Virtual Gallery. Noorduyn UC-64A / USAF Museum /
• War Planes of the Second World War. / Green, William /
• The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aviation: Aircraft and Helicopters of the 20th Century. / Donald D /